If you're looking to improve the look and feel of your skin, a chemical peel may be the perfect solution. Chemical peels are a type of exfoliation that uses a chemical solution to remove the outermost layers of the skin, revealing a smoother, more even complexion. Depending on your skin type and condition, there are a variety of chemical peels available to help you achieve your desired results. If you have sensitive skin, a light chemical peel such as a lactic peel may be the best option.
Lactic peels come from milk and are gentle on easily irritated skin, while also providing moisture to dry skin. For those with acne, a beta peel can help reduce breakouts. Beta peels contain salicylic acid, which is ideal for exfoliation and oil control. Salicylic acid also helps to reduce bacteria that cause acne breakouts.
If you're new to chemical peels, Vitalizing Exfoliation is a great place to start. This peel uses citric acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid and retinol to lighten skin pigmentation and improve overall skin quality. Pigment-Balancing Peel is another option for lightening skin pigmentation and removing brown spots, but it will take multiple treatments for the desired results. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that stimulates skin cell growth when applied.
Retinol has a small molecular size which allows it to penetrate deeper layers of the skin where living cells are found. A retinol scrub can help unclog pores and reduce acne breakouts by allowing clean skin to heal. It can also help rejuvenate, moisturize and refresh your skin. For more specific skin problems such as acne or signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, a retinol scrub may be the perfect solution.
A Biorevitalizing Peel (PRX-T3) is another option for treating sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles. This procedure uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) which is applied to the skin and then removed after a short period of time. A light chemical peel improves skin texture and tone and diminishes the appearance of fine wrinkles. Medium chemical peels will provide noticeably smoother results while deep chemical peels will provide dramatic improvement in the look and feel of treated areas.
Chemical peels can also minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as eliminate small scars. Glycolic acid is one of the most common types of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) used in skin care products. Glycolic acid works by removing the stratum corneum (upper layer of the skin) to promote the production of collagen and elastin to combat fine lines and wrinkles, as well as break down melanin pigments to lighten the skin. Glycolic acid peels are generally suitable for all skin tones and types, ranging in concentrations from 30% to 70%.Phenol peels are the deepest penetrating peels available and can provide the most dramatic results because phenol penetrates to the reticular layer of the dermis and potentially even into subcutaneous tissue if necessary. Chemical peels can be done in a doctor's office or surgical center as an outpatient procedure. It's important to note that if done incorrectly, chemical peels can cause complications such as infection or permanent scarring.
There are do-it-yourself chemical peels on the market but it's always best to consult with a trained professional before beginning any treatment. To keep your results looking fresh between treatments, make sure you use sunscreen when going out and consider semi-regular peels.
