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Exfoliation is the name of the skin rejuvenation game and means the removal of dead skin cells. Indeed chemical and physical professional exfoliation has a most illustrious history from wine and milk baths (tartaric and lactic acid) to pumice polishing (microdermabrasion) and the blunt knife-like instrument called a strigil, used by ancient Egyptians for scraping the skin (the forerunner of dermaplaning).
There are about 30 layers of skin cells, stacked on each other like bricks and held together with a kind of intercellular glue. Some of these cells are shed each day and after 30 days that outer layer is completely replaced. Skin exfoliation is a natural function of the skin that slows down as we age and with certain conditions like acne, excess oil production and sun damage. Buildup of these dead skin cells results in dull, rough looking skin. Especially with aging skin, blotchy pigment or skin with poor texture, professional exfoliation is of primary importance. Chemical peels are a method to speed up the release of the dull, dead cells.
Chemical peels are also used to treat melasma (a skin condition characterized by irregularly shaped patches of brown skin commonly found on the face and neck) and are usually more effective at lightening brown patches than most laser treatments, which can stimulate even more dark pigment. Peels can be performed anywhere on the body and come in a variety of strengths.
What is a chemical peel?
All chemical peels involve applying a solution to the treated area that loosens or removes the outer layers of skin, producing smoother, more evenly pigmented, glowing skin. There are different types and strengths of peels available and our medical aesthetician can choose the chemical peel that best meets your needs. In general, the stronger the peel, the more dramatic the results with each treatment but a series of milder peels can also produce great results without any visible flaking or peeling.
Types of Chemical Peels
Light or “lunch hour” peels are the mildest of the chemical peels. These peels include glycolic, lactic, (AHA) or salicylic acid (BHA) peels. They exfoliate the outermost layers of the skin to smooth the skin's texture, balance out pigmentation and make pores appear smaller. Because these chemical peels cause little if any visible peeling or flaking they are often done in a series to achieve the desired results.
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Glycolic Acid Peels- Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and has the smallest and shortest molecular chain. Glycolic peels are mild peels and great for most skin types. They do not penetrate very deeply into the skin so they usually do not cause wounds. They are best for treating surface imperfections, like light skin discolorations, freckles, acne, and blackheads. Glycolic acids also stimulate collagen, so over time multiple glycolic peels may help with very fine wrinkles and mild skin imperfections. For best results we recommend a series of four treatments every 2-4 weeks and periodically thereafter to maintain results. There’s usually no obvious peeling with glycolic peels and results become visible after a series of treatments.
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Salicylic Acid or Beta Peels- Salicylic acid is derived from the bark of the willow tree. Unlike most acids it is oil soluble and is especially helpful in treating acne because of its ability to penetrate the follicle. It encourages the shedding of dead skin cells from within the follicle, helping to clear the pores of debris. In this way, it reduces the number of pore blockages and breakouts on the skin.
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Lactic Acid Peel- Lactic acid is derived from sour milk and has a slightly larger molecular size and longer chain. It penetrates the skin a little slower than glycolic acid and has less chance of irritation. It is uniquely hydrating and anti-inflammatory so it’s great for dry, sensitive or mature skin. These peels should also be repeated every 4 to 6 weeks for best results.
Medium depth chemical peels are stronger peels that produce more dramatic results than the lighter peels but also usually cause some visible peeling and flaking. Examples of medium strength chemical peels that Skinspirations provide include the Vi Peel™, Jessner's Peel, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels. These peels are used to remove moderate sun damage, diminish fine lines, decrease the appearance of large pores, and lighten patchy pigment. Because medium depth peels will cause some peeling, most people who work Monday through Friday will find that having a peel on Wednesday will allow them to do most of their peeling on Saturday and Sunday. Medium depth peels can be repeated every 3 months as needed to maintain results.
 
Before and after the Vi Peel
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Vi Peel™ - a new generation peel that combines TCA, Retin A, salicylic acid, phenol and Vitamin C, it improves the suppleness, texture and clarity of skin, diminishes fine lines and spotty pigment, stimulates collagen and elastin, and is safe for the face, neck, chest & hands
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Jessner's Peel- a peel made from salicylic acid, lactic acid and resorcinol, it's also good for blotchy pigment and oily skin and can be used on the back
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Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peel- TCA peels (20%-30%)diminish fine lines, age spots, improve texture, and can even tighten the skin slightly.
Deep chemical peels like phenol peels have a higher risk of complications and require a longer recovery period than the light and medium depth chemical peels. Permanent hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening), scarring, and a persistant waxy texture appearance are all complications seen with the deeper peels. The Laser Micro Peel or Laser Peel are treatments that can provide the same benefits as a deep peel but with less risk and more predictability.
What to expect with a chemical peel
After deep cleansing, the selected peel solution is applied to the skin. Usually just a slight burning sensation is present for a few minutes and with some peels a neutralizing solution will then be applied. Immediately after a light peel the skin may look perfectly normal and makeup can be applied. With medium strength peels the skin may look pink and it may start to feel tight the next day. As the treated skin dries out and tightens it may look slightly darker, especially over any discolored areas. Moisturizers can be applied to relieve the tight sensation and peeling will usually occur on days 3-4. After the peeling is complete, the skin will look luminous, minor discolorations will have faded and the skin may feel tighter.
Getting the best results
Chemical peels are frequently combined with other treatments. For lighter skin that has brown patches or spots, our Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device can help remove the darker spots quickly. Loose skin can be tightened with the Titan™skin tightening device.
Professional skin products like Retin-A and home exfoliants will help prepare the skin for deeper chemical peel penetration and then maintain a higher skin turnover afterwards so that your skin remains glowing and new. We will be happy to develop a complete plan customized to your skin needs that produces the most lasting results.
Prices for chemical peels range from $70-$275 with a 15% discount on treatment packages available.
Come into our Tampa office soon for a free consultation to learn more about how we can use chemical peels to help you achieve the look you want. |
