While the term “chemical peels” may sound intimidating or unpleasant, in reality, there’s no reason to worry. Chemical peels are simply a dermatological technique used to improve the appearance of the skin around the hands, face, or neck. A chemical solution is applied to the skin that will cause it to exfoliate and ultimately peel away, leaving a layer of new, rejuvenated skin behind. The new skin will be smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin, giving you a fresher, more youthful appearance.
The three basic types of chemical peels are:
- Superficial peel- An alpha-hydroxy acid or a similarly mild acid are used during these peels. When the acid is applied, it penetrates the skin’s outer layer and then gently exfoliates it. This type of peel is meant to improve the look of rough skin or mild discoloration, or simply to refresh certain areas, such as the face, neck, chest, or hands. A superficial peel is sometimes called a lunchtime peel because it can be done in less than 30 minutes.
- Medium Peel- Either trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid is used during these chemical peels. This treatment removes damaged skin cells, and can be used to improve age spots, fine lines or wrinkles, or moderate discoloration. It can also be used to treat actinic keratosis and certain other precancerous skin growths.
- Deep peel- A deep peel penetrates well into the middle layer of skin using either trichloroacetic acid or phenol. This procedure dramatically improves the skin’s appearance and removes age spots, moderate wrinkles, freckles, and shallow scars. A deep peel can only be done on the face, and can only be performed once.
If you have any questions about the chemical peel process or are ready to book your appointment now, you can contact our team at Ageless in the Triad Med Spa.