How does a chemical peel improve skin tone and texture?
Our skin changes dramatically as we age. It becomes thinner, loses fat and begins to look less plump, smooth and healthy as it did before. Two areas that are particularly affected are skin tone and texture. Skin tone refers to the color of the skin, which can develop areas of hyperpigmentation and unevenness due to scarring and sun exposure. Meanwhile, the texture of the skin can become rough and unpleasant due to a build up dead skin cells, the effects of sun damage and a loss of natural collagen as part of the aging process.
Fortunately, there are treatments that can help to improve skin tone and texture, as well as a variety of other issues associated with the aging process. One of these is a chemical peel.
What is a chemical peel?
A chemical peel is a very well known type of cosmetic procedure that is designed to refresh and rejuvenate the appearance. It does this by removing any dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface of the face, and by stimulating the growth of brand-new cells. This helps to reveal fresh, new skin that looks brighter and younger than before.There are many benefits associated with a chemical peel. These include:
- Increasing the skin’s hydration
- Elimination of dead skin cells, helping to reduce roughness and uneven skin texture and tone
- Stimulation of new collagen growth, which helps to create stronger, smoother and healthier skin
- Reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduction is the discoloration caused by sun damage
- Removal of skin congestion enabling improved absorption of skin products
- Skin that feels softer, smoother and more youthful
There are actually several different types and grades of chemical peels available, meaning that there is almost certainly a variety to suit you.
Superficial chemical peels
As their name suggests, these peels only target the dead skin cells on the top layer of the skin, called the epidermis. In superficial peels, the product is only left on the skin for a few minutes before being removed. There is no real downtime, although your skin may feel tight for a few hours after your treatment. The effects are fairly subtle, but regular treatments are needed to maintain them.
Medium chemical peels
Medium chemical peels target the top and middle layer of the skin. Again, the product is only left on the skin for a few minutes, and you may experience some burning or stinging although this should be tolerable. Once it’s removed you may notice that your face looks redder than usual, and it may be sensitive for up to six weeks. The effects of a medium peel are more significant, and treatment may need to be repeated every 6 to 12 months to maintain them.
Deep chemical peels
Unsurprisingly, a deep peel targets all of the layers of skin, including the deeper layers. As such, patients are usually offered a local anesthetic and sedative to keep them comfortable during the treatment. The product can be left on the skin for significantly longer, in some cases 30 minutes or more depending on the exact peel you have chosen. You’ll be closely monitored to make sure you don’t have any adverse effects during the procedure, and afterwards, some redness, peeling, inflammation and pain can last for a number of weeks or more. Deep chemical peels are usually only performed as a one-off treatment as they have long-lasting effects.Interested in learning more about chemical peels? Don’t hesitate to contact our team at Natural Results Plastic Surgery with your questions, or call us at (480) 418-5300 to schedule a consultation.
