Medical peels, sometimes called chemical peels, are a highly-effective way of rejuvenating skin by removing dead and dry skin cells. It can sometimes be paired with a professional facial treatment for extra rejuvenation, as it allows a deep treatment of new, healthy skin cells that are revealed by a medical peel. Although they generally require downtime, these treatments can be one of the best ways to jumpstart your skin’s natural cell rejuvenation and reduce problem areas, leaving the face refreshed and youthful.
Many patients opt for professional peels and facials because they can treat a wide selection of concerns with a customized chemical solution. This can include treatments for acne, scarring, pigmentation, texture, and sun damage. Although it can require downtime, it can often produce more immediate results than laser treatments and more effective results than microdermabrasion or microneedling.
Because medical peels affect layers of skin, they may not be the best option for every patient. If you have a tendency towards keloid or abnormal scarring, you should avoid this treatment. Patients with darker skin tones can experience hyperpigmentation during recovery, so they may benefit more from laser or facial treatments. If you’re using certain acne medications or have certain skin conditions, you should be sure to discuss these during your consultation.
Medical peels can be customized to your skin’s unique concerns using a specific chemical solution to address problems like acne, pigmentation, scarring, wrinkles, and blemishes. During a treatment session, your skin will be cleansed and toned before a customized chemical solution is brushed over the skin and left for a predetermined amount of time. Then, the solution is washed off and the skin is neutralized. We’ll ensure your skin is healthy and moisturized before you leave, according to your unique peel treatment. Medical peels are classified according to their depth, which usually exist in three levels.
This type of peel is usually performed using concentrated forms of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids or Beta Hydroxy Acids you might include in your at-home regimen. These peels are gentle and remove only the surface layers of skin, revealing a smoother, healthier layer underneath. These generally don’t require much downtime and can be a great exfoliating option to add to your skincare routine or a confidence boost ahead of a big event. These generally address surface concerns like texture, acne, or fine wrinkles.
These peels use stronger chemical solutions to reach the middle layers of the skin to address deeper concerns like sun damage, pigmentation, and moderate wrinkles. Medium peels might require a few days of downtime as your skin recovers, and you will need to wear regular, board-spectrum sunscreen for a few months after your treatment.
Deep chemical peels are the most extensive option for skin rejuvenation and can require a few weeks of downtime since this treatment reaches deep into the skin. This treatment requires the use of an anesthetic. It may require pre-treatment using retinoids to make the process easier and more effective, as well as the use of antibiotics during recovery. Deep peels can be effective for deeply-rooted concerns like severe lines and wrinkles, scarring, and pre-cancerous growths. After treatment, you may be required to wear dressings and bandages for a few days, and you should avoid sunlight for an extended amount of time.
An effective, physician-grade skincare regimen is one of the best ways to extend your results over the long-term, as well as regular, broad-spectrum sunscreen use. For light or medium chemical peels, you may benefit from a series of treatments to address your skin concerns or as a deep treatment to complement your at-home care. For deep peels, you may see drastic results that can last many years with effective maintenance. During your consultation, we can recommend the best treatment plan and skincare products to help you achieve your skincare goals.
We believe that excellent skincare and plastic surgery go hand-in-hand, and we offer the best in skincare techniques to boost your confidence and maintain healthy, radiant skin. To schedule a consultation with our skincare experts, contact our St. Joseph office by calling or filling out our online form.
