According to the National Institutes of Health, chemical peels are the third-most common non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the United States. At Rejuvenate Med Spa, we proudly offer chemical peels to help you achieve the radiant skin you want.
What do chemical peels do, and how long do chemical peels last? Learn more about this treatment option.
What Do Chemical Peels Do?
Chemical peels use chemical solutions to remove the top layers of your skin and display the healthier skin underneath. The chemical solution causes slight trauma to the top skin layers, making them peel off. Chemical peels can help treat:
- Freckles
- Melasma
- Fine lines
- Rough skin
- Mild scarring
- Scaly patches
- Dull complexion
- Uneven coloring
- Certain types of acne
- Sunspots, age spots, and liver spots
There are different types of chemical peels, ranging from light to deep. Light chemical peels offer subtle improvement, and we usually perform them in a series. Light chemical peels are a good option for people who have mild fine lines, acne, uneven skin coloring, or dry skin patches. These are the best chemical peels for dark skin tones.
Medium chemical peels work to produce a smoother, more radiant appearance. They are an excellent option if you need chemical peels for acne scars. A medium peel removes the topmost layer and the top part of your middle skin layer.
A deep chemical peel offers the most dramatic results because it can penetrate down to the lower middle layer of your skin. It can treat severely sun-damaged skin, moderate wrinkles and fine lines, and deeper acne scars.
The best candidates for chemical peels for acne scars, wrinkles, and uneven coloring are people who:
- Are in good health
- Have no skin infections
- Have no bleeding issues
- Have realistic expectations
You may not be the right candidate for a chemical peel if you have a history of abnormal scarring, have undergone certain types of acne treatments in the past year, or have a condition that makes your skin more sensitive.
Benefits of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can be a great help for the treatment of acne because they can decrease oil production while breaking down clogged hair follicles. They can also kill bacteria and reduce inflammation as well as increase the absorption of topical treatments.
They can treat acne scars because they exfoliate the top layer of skin, removing the excess collagen that creates scars. When skin grows back after a chemical peel, it triggers the production of new elastin and collagen, making it a good treatment option for aging skin.
Another benefit of chemical peels is that they can help remove precancerous growths. Actinic keratoses are skin patches that years of sun exposure cause and which can turn into skin cancer. A deep chemical peel can remove these patches.
Preparation Process for a Chemical Peel
When you schedule a consultation with us, we will assess your skin and get your full medical history to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure. It’s important that you tell us about any acne treatments you may have undergone in the past year.
We also need to know about any medications or supplements you take. We can help you decide on the best peel, especially if you need chemical peels for dark skin.
To prepare for your appointment, avoid any exfoliating procedures for at least one week. You also want to avoid skin care products that have exfoliating ingredients.
You may want to let your skin detox by not wearing makeup for a few days before the procedure. Avoid the sun as well, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. If you need to take oral antibiotics, start taking them at least 24 hours before the chemical peel.
The Chemical Peel Procedure
On the day of your chemical peel, do not wear any makeup and do not use abrasive skin care products. We will clean your skin before starting. If you’re getting a deep chemical peel, we will provide anesthesia as needed.
The procedure involves us applying a substance to your skin and leaving it in place for a set amount of time. We then remove it or neutralize it. If you received anesthetics, you will need to have someone drive you home.
Recovering From a Chemical Peel
The recovery process will depend on the type of peel. You want to apply moisturizers and sunscreen every day as you recover. If you have a light peel, you should wait until the next day to wear makeup.
For medium peels, you may need to perform daily soaks, applying ointment and creams afterward. You will want to wait about a week to wear makeup.
For deep chemical peels, you may have a bandage over the treatment area. You will need to perform daily soaks. Don’t wear makeup for at least 14 days. Drink plenty of water and avoid intense heat, including using hot tubs and saunas.
How Long Do Chemical Peels Last?
For a light chemical peel, you can expect the results to last between one and two months, while the results of a medium peel can last between two and six months. You can expect the results of a deep chemical peel to last for years.
If your goal is to have long-term, positive changes for your skin, your treatment plan can involve getting light skin peels every month for about three to six months. After that, you can space the peels out while retaining the results.
For medium peels, you can get them every four to six months, depending on how long it takes your skin to heal. Some people require deep chemical peels every two to three years, while others can wait up to 10 years before needing another deep peel.
Get Radiant Skin With a Chemical Peel
A chemical peel can help you if you have dull skin, acne scars, fine lines, and even pigmentation issues. At Rejuvenate Med Spa in Oak Brook, IL, we offer different types of chemical peels to help you achieve the results you want. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.