Human skin can experience a lot of wear and tear over the years, especially on the face. The environment, sun, dirt, cosmetics, and facial expressions all contribute to the damage that becomes visible on the outer layer. The result is a dull, unhealthy appearance in need of skin rejuvenation. Chemical peels can help patients rejuvenate their appearance with fresh, smooth skin.
A chemical peel treatment typically involves the application of a solution to the skin that will remove dead skin cells, which allows the next layer of skin to develop and replace the old layer. The result is tightened, radiant skin with reduced wrinkles.
Essentially, there are three types of chemical peels, each distinguished by the depth of treatment:
- Superficial chemical peels– do not penetrate below the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.
- Medium chemical peels– penetrate below the epidermis to the top layer of the dermis, but generally does not go deeper. (Performs by Surgeon)
- Deep chemical peels– penetrate to the deepest layers of the dermis. (Performs by Surgeon).
- The depth of penetration depends on the type and strength of the solution and the amount of time the solution interacts with the skin. At RSBR, we only offer superficial peel.
At RSBR, our peel treatments focus on the following:
- Sun spots
- Age spots
- Superficial lines and wrinkles
- Uneven pigmentation
- Shallow acne scars
- Unbalanced skin tone
- Rough skin
- Acne
Chemical Peels Pre-treatment
General preparation for a chemical peel begins about two weeks to four weeks prior to the procedure:
- Thorough cleansing
- Antioxidant cream
- Sun screen
- Vitamin A or anti-pigmentation product
This pre-treatment routine is key. It helps the skin heal more evenly and reduces the risks of infection, unusual skin colour changes, and more.
Chemical Peels Post-Treatment Care
Ultimately, the degree of skin and facial rejuvenation depends on post-treatment care, regardless of the chemical peel type. General tips to keep in mind include:
- Clean the treated area & surrounding skin often
- Moisturize the skin often every day
- Avoid sun exposure until peeling stops
- After peeling, use sunscreen every day.
A superficial chemical peel requires no downtime or recovery. During post-treatment, patients should experience no more than slight discomfort and the skin could turn pink. Expect only a minimal amount of peeling. A series of 2-3 peels spaced 2-4 weeks apart will gently separate the skin cells in the damaged outer layer so they painlessly slough off for fresh smooth skin beneath.
Although post chemical peel treatment redness is an unwanted side effect, it does show that healing is taking place. Unintended skin discoloration can also occur.
A chemical peel treatment can be customized according to each patient’s needs. Our staff at RSBR have the experience and knowledge necessary to determine the right type of solution, the appropriate strength, and the right amount of treatment time to achieve the following results:
- Smooth skin
- Fewer fine lines and wrinkles
- Restored skin tone balance
- Reduced appearance of superficial acne or acne scars
- Resurfaced skin that is smooth to the touch
- Overall skin rejuvenation
Who Should Avoid Cosmetic Peels?
Chemical peels are not for everyone. This treatment is not recommended for patients who are:
- Pregnant or nursing
- Have an active skin disease, such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis
- Have broken or sunburned skin
- Have used a prescription skin care product, such as Retin-A, Renova or other product with ascorbic acids, in the past two days.
The results may not be as consistent for patients who have:
- A pale, freckled complexion (with red hair)
- Abnormal pigmentation in the skin
- A history of regular cold sores.