What About Skin Peels?

There are several different types of peels for the skin. The goals can be to remove acne scars, reduce acne outbreaks or to give your face a more youthful appearance. Sometimes you might have all three goals. There are a variety of different chemicals that are used, each of which will create either more or less damage to the skin.

A chemical peel is really a controlled chemical burn that produces a wound. The intention is to take advantage of your body's natural ability to heal, and tighten up the skin in the process. Sometimes the collagen in the skin will also thicken during the healing process, taking a decade off of your appearance.

But, while the advantages are well publicized, there are also problems and disadvantages to the process that can leave you damaged and dissatisfied for the rest of your life. Take a few minutes to read through some skin forums and you'll find people of all ages, ethnicities and skin colors who have had a bad chemical peel and now don't feel they can leave the house without a thick layer of makeup to cover the mistake.

The results you get from a chemical peel will depend upon several factors, but rests largely on the shoulders of the individual who performs the peel. To get the best possible results seek out a dermatolist or dermatologic surgeon who comes highly recommended. Check out their references and look for any lawsuits that may have ensued from a previous peel gone bad.

Depending upon the chemical peel being done, you may have several weeks of pre-peel skin care that will help to improve the results and reduce the potential for side effects. This planning and preparation time will help to thin the normal layer of dead skin cells that sit on top of the skin and help prepare the skin to accept the chemical peel.

The chemicals are left on the skin for a varying time period, depending upon the depth of the burn being achieved. The average time period is 10 to 30 minutes, and will also depend upon the strength of the chemical being used. As the chemicals are removed it takes the surface layer of skin and the remaining skin will often blister with a mid level peel.

A mild chemical peel will use alph hydroxy acid or AHA in a variety of different concentrations. These are the peels that are used on sensitive skin because they don't have the harsh side effects of some of the other types of chemicals. AHAs will hydrate the skin and can reduce the appearance of discolorations on the skin.

If you have deep pits then a one hour lunch time peel won't do the trick. YOu'll need a phenol or laser peel that will be painful and require at least 2 to 3 weeks of recovery, at home with your DVD player and a stack of movies. However, when healed, the right doctor can take years off your face and removed your acne scars and wrinkles.

RESOURCES

Ohio State University: Pre & Post Safety Guidelines for chemical Peel Patients http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/cosmetic-plastics-services/non-surgical-services/facials/aestheticians-at-ohsu/upload/Pre-Post-Chemical-Peel-Guidelines.pdf

American Academy of Facial Esthetics: The Beauty of Facial Esthetics http://www.facialesthetics.org/esthetics/cosmetics/skin-treatments/peels/

Dr. Mehmet Oz: What are the different types of skin peels http://www.sharecare.com/health/skin-rejuvenation-treatments/different-types-skin-peels

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