Chemical Peels: What They Are, Types, and Possible Outcomes

Aging, cosmetics, constant skin damage, and other environmental and lifestyle factors take a toll on your skin. As a result, you may develop skin flaws such as fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, acne, damage, and uneven skin tone. Fortunately, you do not have to go under the knife to achieve smoother, softer, tauter, brighter, younger-looking skin. Magnolia Dermatology offers advanced aesthetics Cypress, TX services such as chemical peels to transform your appearance. Read on to learn about this nonsurgical cosmetic treatment.

The types of chemical peels

A superficial or light chemical peel uses a mild acid such as alpha-hydroxy acid to penetrate the outer skin layer and gently exfoliate it. Your provider may recommend a light peel if you have mild skin discoloration and rough skin. A superficial peel can also be used to refresh your face, neck, chest, and hands.

For a medium peel, your dermatologist uses glycolic or trichloroacetic acid to remove skin cells from t epidermis and portions of the middle skin layer. A medium peel can help improve fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, and moderate skin discoloration. Dermatologists also use this chemical peel to smooth rough skin and treat precancerous skin growths such as actinic keratosis.

A deep peel uses phenol or trichloroacetic acid to penetrate deep into the middle layer of skin on the face. It can eliminate the appearance of moderate lines, freckles, age spots, and scars. Deep chemical results in dramatic improvements in skin appearance and can only be performed once.

Changes to expect after a chemical peel

The most noticeable change after treatment is peeling on your face. After all, that is the whole point of a chemical peel; to remove old skin and reveal healthier skin beneath. The peeling does not happen immediately. Expect your skin to peel after about the third day and the first week following the procedure. If you have a deep peel, it can take up to 10 days for your skin to finish peeling. Your skin will also be sensitive for a few days after the procedure, but it should not feel too weird. You will also notice that your skin will be more sensitive to some skin care products.

Therefore, avoid exfoliating products for a few days and use a gentle cleanser and a hydrating gel to soothe your skin. Regardless of the chemical peel you have, remember to apply sunblock since your skin will also be sensitive to sunlight afterward.

What are the possible results?

The results of a chemical peel vary depending on whether you have a superficial, medium, or deep chemical peel. For example, if you had a light peel, you may experience improved skin texture and time and reduced appearance of fine wrinkles. However, these results and usually subtle but increase with subsequent treatments. Your skin may be noticeably smoother after a medium peel. As for a deep chemical peel, you will have dramatic improvements in the look and feel of treated areas. However, results are not permanent because, over time, sun damage and age can cause skin flaws.

Chemical peels are not as gentle as regular facials, but the result is worth the discomfort and downtime.

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your skin due to acne, acne scars, wrinkles, or fine lines? Schedule a session with your specialist at Magnolia Dermatology for a chemical peel to look and feel your best.

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