Chemical Peels
Description
A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers. The skin that grows back after a chemical peel is smoother and younger looking. Chemical peels are used to treat wrinkles, skin discoloration, and scars — typically on the face. They can be done at different depths, from light to deep. Deeper chemical peels offer more-dramatic results but also take longer to recover from. Here are the key details about chemical peels: Types of Chemical Peels: Light Peel: Removes the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and is used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, and dryness. It might need to be repeated to achieve or maintain the desired result. Medium Peel: Removes skin cells from the epidermis and from portions of the upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). It's used for treating wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. Deep Peel: Fully penetrates the middle layer of your skin to remove damaged skin cells. It addresses deeper wrinkles, scars, or precancerous growths. Procedure: The skin is thoroughly cleansed. The chemical solution, such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid (phenol), is applied to the skin. This causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off. Once the chemical solution has worked on the skin, it is neutralized and washed off. Recovery: Recovery time varies depending on the type of peel used. Light peels might cause some redness, dryness, and scaling which subsides within a few days. Medium peels may cause redness and swelling, with peeling occurring within a week. Deep peels require a longer recovery period and the treated area will be bandaged. The skin may be swollen, red, and it may take several months to fully heal.
