Interested in a Chemical Peel? Here’s What You Need to Know.
We all know chemical peels can do wonders for the appearance of our skin. However, with the wide range of options, from superficial peels to deep resurfacing peels, it may not always be clear as to which one is going to be best for the issues you’re looking to treat.
While all chemical peels share the common goal of removing damaged skin cells in order to reveal the healthier skin underneath, each type of peel offers its own unique benefits. If you’re interested in learning more about your options, here’s what you need to know about the three main types of peels, which are classified by their depth of penetration.
Superficial Chemical Peels
Superficial chemical peels, often called lunchtimes peels, penetrate and gently exfoliate the top layer of the skin. They’re often used to treat sunspots, fine lines, pigment irregularities and acne, while at the same time, improving the skin’s overall texture, tone and appearance.
Though there’s minimal downtime, patients typically need a series of treatments in order to achieve optimal results.
Medium Depth Chemical Peels
Medium depth chemical peels typically use trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to penetrate the middle and outer layer of the skin. Since these acids go deeper into the skin than a superficial peel, they have the ability to deliver even more impressive results for those looking to treat deeper lines or wrinkles, diminish the appearance of acne scars or other color irregulars, and stimulate collagen growth.
While the results can last much longer than those of the lunchtime peel, they tend to cause more discomfort and a bit of downtime, usually up to a couple weeks.
Deep Chemical Peels
As you might have guessed, deep chemical peels are going to go even further into the middle layer of the skin, which also means they require more downtime, ranging anywhere from 2-3 weeks. While they can certainly help patients achieve desired results, laser devices are often a better option due to their ability to resurface the skin even more efficiently. On that same note, lasers don’t require the general anesthesia that’s typically needed for a deep chemical peel.
As with any skin resurfacing treatment, it’s best to speak with your dermatologist about the issues you’re looking to treat so that they can help you decide exactly what’s right for you. Whether that be a chemical peel or laser treatment, Skin Wellness now has a range of tools and technologies that can help you beautifully and effectively reveal your healthier, more youthful skin.
At Skin Wellness Center of Alabama, we offer cutting-edge skin care and dermatology services to our patients in the Greater Birmingham area, including Hoover and Homewood. At our offices in Birmingham & Chelsea, AL, our certified dermatologists are here to listen to your concerns and offer the individualized, high level of patient care you seek. We believe in making care accessible and affordable, and we will go out of our way to accommodate your visit.