What Is a Chemical Peel and Why Should You Get One?
Many of us are concerned about the way our skin looks and feels. This is why more and more people are considering chemical peels as a way to rejuvenate their complexions. What exactly is a chemical peel? How can it help you achieve your desired look? Keep reading for some insight into these questions!
Uneven Skin Tone
If you’ve ever had a night of fun and ended up with a pigmented splotch (or “bruise”) on your face, you probably have been faced with the dilemma of how to get rid of that unsightly mark. You might have tried the obvious, like ice, makeup, concealer, and nothing worked!
In fact, as time passed, you probably noticed that not only was the mark still there, but it was getting darker. Well, this is no bruise. It’s actually hyperpigmentation or a dark spot due to increased melanin production in that particular area.
These hyperpigmented skin patches may be more visible on fairer skin types because their natural pigment color is light/pink/peach. This type of discoloration is often referred to as “age spots” or liver spots, but both terms are incorrect since they imply that this is something caused by age (thus it’s inevitable with aging) and assume that the discoloration originates in the liver.
Chemical peels are great at helping to treat discoloration as well as sun-damaged skin.
Types of Chemical Peels at Blush and Grey
There are many different types of chemical peels, and each has its own benefits and risks. The most popular type is a glycolic acid peel (a form of alpha-hydroxy acid), which usually results in mild to moderate redness for a few days after treatment. Other options include salicylic, lactic, and TCA peels, which are all excellent choices that offer slightly more aggressive resurfacing power than glycolic acids do.
Light Chemical Peel
A light chemical peel (like glycolic acid) can smooth and brighten skin, fade discoloration, and generally reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Superficial Chemical Peel
A superficial chemical peel (like salicylic acid) gently exfoliates and unclogs pores. Superficial peels are often used to treat acne because they can reduce redness and inflammation while clearing your skin of pore-blocking debris. They can also strengthen the overlying dermis by stimulating collagen production.
Moderate Chemical Peel
You may have heard this term when shopping for dermatological treatments or after a visit to an aesthetician’s office, but do you know what it means? When compared with deep peeling procedures like phenol chemical peels, which involve stronger chemicals in higher concentrations, moderate peels use less aggressive ingredients that produce more mild results in terms of texture and color.
Phenol Peel
Phenol is an extremely strong form of chemical peeling; it can be used to treat severe cases of acne scarring where other treatments have failed. However, phenols should only be administered by a trained professional in a medical setting.
When applied carefully and precisely using modern techniques, phenol peels can be effective for treating deep wrinkles or acne scarring because they stimulate collagen production – reducing the appearance of deeper lines while strengthening skin to prevent future damage from occurring.
To maintain your results after a chemical peel treatment, it is important to continue using sunscreen daily, not only during the days immediately following your appointment but for as long as you need to protect yourself from harmful UV rays that could cause further damage. Let our team at Blush and Grey help your skin with one of these chemical peels.