What you should know about chemical peels
What are chemical peels?
A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment in which the defects on your face, neck, and hair are treated by a chemical solution. This solution contains different type of acids that work for your skin by going into the depths. You need to select one option according to your skin type. It’s also one of the best facial treatments.
You can treat multiple defects on your skin like:
- Acne
- Wrinkles
- Blackheads
- Scars
- Sunspots
In this process, the chemical solution is applied to the area which needs to be treated. After this treatment, your skin becomes clean, smoother, and less wrinkled. It will help your skin to be healthier.
Types of chemical peels
Superficial peels
In this type of chemical peels, alpha hydroxyl acid is used to exfoliate. It treats the outermost layer of skin only.
Medium peels
In medium peels, trichloroacetic or glycolic acid is used. It treats the middle layer of skin. It’s more effective than a superficial peel.
Deep peels
It cleans out all the damaged skin, blackheads, acne, scars. In this peel, phenol and trichloroacetic acids are used. It’s the most finest and complicated process. Your doctor will instruct you about how to wash your face and what to use on your face.
Preparation of chemical peels
Before taking any step, go to an authentic skin care specialist. The doctor will decide the best option based on your situation. You must tell every minute detail to your doctor about your health. Also mention if you are taking any medicine at the moment or have taken it in the past six months.
All your health history is reviewed by the doctor. Factors like diabetes, smoking status, pregnancy status, skin problems, any previously done skin treatment, and any abnormality can increase the chances of risk in your procedure.
In the next step, the physical test of the skin is done to check the thickness or sensitivity of your skin. Then before 3 to 4 weeks of your appointment, a process called priming is done to optimize the effectiveness of the treatment.
You must
- Not be going through any medication in the past 48 days.
- Don’t have done any skin treatment in the past 6 months.
Some suggested precautions:
- Go for antiviral medication if you have any fever or infection at the moment.
- Don’t do waxing, shaving and don’t use any hair removing cream before at least 2 weeks of your treatment.
- Use any lotion having glycolic lotion in it.
- Avoid using moisturizers and makeup products.
- Your doctor may suggest you use several creams having tretinoin, salicylic, hydroquinone acid.
- Take any painkiller before 24 hours of the procedure if your doctor instructed you to.
Side effects of chemical peels:
Chemical peels are not a good option for everyone. Here are some side effects of chemical peels:
- After the treatment, redness may last on your skin for few months.
- Your skin color may change. Maybe darker than before or lighter than before due to hyperpigmentation.
- You can also get an infection.
Don’t go for chemical peeling if
- You’re pregnant.
- Have done any skin treatment in the past 6 months
- If you have any skin defect due to genetic reasons.
Things you must know
- Always use sunblock before going out in sun.
- You need to go through a series of procedures for having smoother skin for a long time. One peel is not enough.
- Chemical peeling is not only for your face, you can also peel your hands, neck, chest to remove the dark spots, acne, blackheads, or any other defect on your skin.
- Make sure that your skin specialist is board-certified.
- You are advised to use ice on your face if feel any discomfort at home. DON’T use any other product without your doctor’s advice.
- This procedure is 30 to 90 minutes long.
- Take help from several websites and skin specialists to decide the right peel.
- You only need to use non-residue soaps after your treatment.
