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Chemical peels are yet another method used to erase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Like other non-surgical treatments, the results are temporary albeit impressive. It is important to note that chemical peels do not stop or reverse the aging process but instead work to remove the signs of the aging process – wrinkles, fine lines and sags. Several encouraging results motivate individuals to attempt a chemical peel:
+ Chemical peels remove the damaged outer layer of skin leaving the face looking younger and smoother. This is especially helpful for older patients with unwanted wrinkles and those with facial scars and blemishes.
+ Chemical peels are used to remove pre-cancerous skin growths.
For an even more dramatic result chemical peels may be performed in conjunction with other forms of plastic surgery. There are a multitude of chemical peels depending on the patient’s skin type, skin condition and the desired outcome. The alpha-hydroxy acid peel penetrates the least while treatment with phenol will move into the deeper layers of skin. Each works by encouraging the peeling and shedding of old skin layers to expose fresh, new, younger and healthier looking skin.
Types of Peels
There are several types of chemical peels to consider for the treatment of wrinkles and fine lines.
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) peel is used to smooth out rough, dry, sun damaged skin. In addition, this method has been used to fix pigmentation problems and is sometimes recommended before treatment with Trichloroacetic acid. Like an AHA peel, a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel increases skin smoothness but does so more effectively. Moreover, it is extremely successful in the areas of fine lines and wrinkles while also eliminating the appearance of superficial blemishes. Like AHA, TCA can be used to correct pigmentation problems. A phenol treatment can be used to remove pre-cancerous growths along with attacking and correcting deep wrinkles and blotchy skin. This is one of the more invasive deep peels and clients should always consult a certified and professional practitioner for this form of treatment.
As with all procedures there are certain characteristics and circumstances that may preclude a potential patient from receiving a certain peel. Furthermore, each peel comes with its own side effects and precautions. Common to all is the need to use sunblock either for a short or extended period of time after treatment is complete.
The process of administering a chemical peel is serious business and only a qualified physician with complete training should be sought out to perform the procedure. It is crucial to understand the limitations and possible side effects associated with each peel before undertaking the procedure.
However, when a certified, professionally trained physician performs the procedure the risks decrease dramatically. Before treatment the patient’s desired outcomes and physical characteristics are evaluated to determine the proper peel and ingredients to use.
Risks of undergoing a chemical peel If you are considering a chemical peel you should consider the following:
Temporary effects such as stinging, burning, and reddening in the affected areas. More serious effects such as infection or scarring may potentially occur. Unintended changes in skin color have been caused occasionally by the deeper penetration TCA peel. This is called hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation and can be permanent. Phenol treatments, which work at an even deeper level than TCA peels, are not recommended for individuals with dark skin color for this very reason. Phenol treatments can also pose a health risk to patients with heart disease. There have been other cases of phenol peels causing a complete inability to produce pigment at all in the treated areas.
Chemical peels are sometimes covered by an individual’s insurance policy. If not covered by insurance, the price of a chemical peel may vary widely depending on the type of peel and the physician performing the treatment. A very wide range of pricing includes AHA peels starting at $100 per application to phenol peels reaching $4000 per application.
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Chemical peels 