A chemical peel is a skin rejuvenation procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to remove the damaged upper layers of skin. The layers of skin revealed after a chemical peel are newer and therefore smoother and more youthful.
Chemical peels are used to treat wrinkles, lighten facial blemishes, and treat scars, especially on the face, where they have a significant rejuvenating effect. Chemical peels can be performed alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.
The treatment can be performed at different depths (light, medium, or deep) depending on the desired results, which is achieved by using a different chemical solution for each case. Deep chemical peels have better results, but we must also keep in mind that they involve longer recovery times.
Chemical exfoliation can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, so depending on what you're looking to solve, you can choose one of these three depths:
Especially indicated for removing the outer layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis, this peel can be used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, and dryness. Because it's so gentle, it's possible to perform this peel once a week for up to six weeks, depending on the desired results. The most common ingredient in this type of peel is glycolic acid, a derivative of sugarcane. Recovery time is between 1 and 7 days, so you can practically resume your normal routine the day after the treatment.
This type of chemical peel removes the skin cells that make up the epidermis, as well as parts of the middle layer of the skin, or dermis. A medium chemical peel can treat wrinkles, erase acne scars, and correct uneven skin tone. A medium chemical peel can be repeated once.
It removes cells from the epidermis as well as parts of the lower layer of the dermis. Your doctor may recommend a deep chemical peel if you have deeper wrinkles, scars, or precancerous features. The most popular is a phenol peel, an acid that can significantly lighten the skin.
