Chemical peels are a popular cosmetic procedure used to treat wrinkles, discolored skin, and scars, usually on the face. They can be done alone or combined with other treatments, and they can be done at different depths, from light to deep. Deeper chemical peels offer more dramatic results, but they also take longer to recover from. If you're looking for a way to reduce the signs of aging on your skin, a chemical peel may be the answer.
Dermatologists use chemical peels to improve the appearance of the skin on the face, hands, neck, and chest. Chemical peels can be done in a doctor's office or in a surgical center as an outpatient procedure. After a chemical peel, it's important to avoid sun exposure and smoking, as these can cause unwanted side effects such as infection and scarring. Glycolic acid is one of the most common chemicals used in chemical peels.
It increases collagen production, refines texture, brightens and refreshes skin tone, reduces wrinkles, and is an excellent scrub for acne scars. A chemical peel is a skin treatment that uses a chemical solution to improve the appearance of the skin. This is especially important for people of color, whose skin may be more prone to the side effects of chemical peels. However, any type of chemical peel requires downtime to recover and can cause side effects such as redness, peeling of the skin, and sensitivity to sunlight.
Some chemicals used in peels cause the skin to develop a white coating which dermatologists may refer to as “icing”. Chemical peels are used to treat certain skin conditions or improve appearance by improving skin tone and texture. Sagging, bumps, deep scars, deep facial lines, and more severe wrinkles don't respond well to chemical peels. It's essential to visit a dermatologist who has experience with chemical peels and colored skin when considering this treatment.
Different types of chemicals cause controlled injury that penetrates through different depths of skin before peeling off to reveal a new layer. People with skin types 1, 2 or 3 have a lower risk that a chemical peel will change their skin color or cause scarring. A dermatologist will recommend the most appropriate chemical peel based on the person's concerns and skin type.
