What are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels involve the careful application of a chemical solution to the skin, designed to remove its top layers through a controlled exfoliation process. This method reveals new, smoother skin beneath, effectively resetting your skins health and appearance. Concerns that are often addressed with chemical peels include enlarged pores, uneven texture, blotchiness, fine lines, dullness, discoloration, and acne scars.
Why We Love Them
Chemical peels can be tailored to specific skin types and concerns, making them a very versatile tool in our toolbox and a great choice for many of our patients. Results vary by individual and based on the specific chemical peel used, but the common factor is brighter, newer, fresher skin after healing.
Why Radiance Rx?
To get the most out of chemical peels, it’s important to know which options are best suited for different skin types and different aesthetic concerns. Our expert team is here to guide you through the selection process, ensuring that your chemical peel not only addresses your concerns but also complements your skin’s natural physiology. With our focus on safety, efficacy, and innovation, we’re here to help you achieve the radiant, healthy skin you’ve always desired.
Choosing a Chemical Peel
Understanding that everyone’s skin and needs are unique, we utilize a variety of peels. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) work beneath the surface to brighten the skin tone, while acids like lactic acid boost hydration for a more supple look. For those battling acne, salicylic acid penetrates deep to clear out impurities, offering a smoother texture.
Some chemical peels are lighter than others in terms of the depth of skin that they impact. Deeper peels may offer a more dramatic result but also take longer for the healing process.
Other considerations when choosing a particular chemical peel include the patient’s physiology. For example, we take into account skin tone (based on the Fitzpatrick scale), how sensitive the patient’s skin is, whether it’s dry, normal or oily, if it’s acne prone, if the patient has rosacea or melasma, etc.
The chemical peels we offer span a broad range to address numerous different needs. They include:
- The Perfect Derma Peel
- PCA Peel
- PCA Peel with HQ (hydroquinone)
- PCA Sensi Peel
- SkinCeucticals
- MicroPeel
- Cosmelan Peel
What to Expect
Before beginning treatment, your provider will do a thorough exam of your skin, discuss your concerns, and utilize their years of expertise to recommend the best chemical peel for your needs.
Once the peel is selected, your skin will be cleaned and then the peel will be applied with a brush, gauze, swab or sponge. The peel is left on your skin, with the length of time for this step depending on the type of peel being used. Next, the chemical peel is washed off or neutralized.
Almost immediately, your skin may feel warm or hot and then begin to sting. You can also expect some redness, dryness, irritation and mild swelling in the first few days. Then, scaling and flaking may develop. It’s normal for the skin to feel tight, itchy, and dry, and peeling is often part of the healing, revealing luminous, rejuvenated skin underneath. Peeling typically starts around the mouth and then works its way out towards the hairline, with the process lasting up to 14 days. It’s crucial not to pick at the skin to avoid scarring and pigmentation issues.
For optimal outcomes, chemical peels should be integrated into your skincare routine on a regular basis, with the frequency adjusted based on the peel’s depth.
FAQs
Who is a good candidate?
Anyone looking to improve enlarged pores, uneven texture, blotchiness, fine lines, dullness, discoloration, and acne scars is a candidate for chemical peels, however, it may be advisable to hold off on treatment in certain cases. Be sure to tell your clinician if you are using any exfoliants, if you have used Accutane within the past 6 months, if you are pregnant or actively trying to get pregnant, or if you are prone to cold sores.
What should I do to prepare for treatment?
Understanding that you may experience some social downtime, plan your treatment when you know you won’t have any special social engagements for the following week to two weeks.
One week before your chemical peel, avoid any aesthetic or medical procedures on your face such as laser hair removal, facial waxing, laser treatments or facials. In addition, 4 days prior to your peel, stop the use of irritating or exfoliating products such as Retin A, Renova, Differin, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, acne medications, etc.
What should I do and expect post-treatment?
For the first 48 hours post-treatment, avoid swimming and rigorous activity / sweating. Ideally, leave your face make-up free for at least 24 hours. Stay out of direct sunlight and use a daily sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, and avoid any facial treatments for at least two weeks.
You can expect some redness, dryness, irritation and mild swelling in the first few days. Then, scaling and flaking may develop. It’s normal for the skin to feel tight, itchy, and dry, and peeling is often part of the healing process. DO NOT PICK THE SKIN when flaking appears as this can cause scarring and hypo/hyper pigmentation.
You may use a gentle moisturizer as needed once your skin begins to peel and flake (usually within 48 hours). Your provider will give you direction on which other skincare products you can use and when following your treatment.
What is the downtime?
Not everyone experiences peeling and some people experience it but not with each treatment. However, peeling is a side effect for most people, and it can last 5 – 14 days, depending on the peel used and on your skin.
Can I get this treatment the same day as other treatments?
A few select treatments such as deep cleanses, dermaplaning and microdermabrasion can be done the same day as a chemical peel. Other treatments, like injectables, microneedling and facial laser treatments would need to be scheduled for a different time.
How many treatments should I plan on?
While you’re likely to see some results after one chemical peel, it’s common to require 3 – 6 peels to achieve the best results. From there, chemical peels should be integrated into your skincare routine on a regular basis to maintain results, with the frequency adjusted based on the peel’s depth.
When will I see results?
Results will be seen as soon as you’re fully healed from your first treatment, but it’s common to require 3 – 6 peels to achieve the best results.
Can I get this treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We do not recommend getting a chemical peel while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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