The science of chemical peels: What happens beneath the surface.

Chemical peel skin renewal works by removing layers of skin to expose more youthful skin beneath. The procedure also removes fine lines and wrinkles, smooths uneven skin, and addresses acne, scarring, and other imperfections. The depth of your peel depends on the chemical used and the skin condition being treated.

How Chemical Peels Work

Chemical peels work with a 3-step process: exfoliation, skin cell turnover, and collagen production.

• In exfoliation, the acids in chemical peels dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells. As a result, they shed off quickly and unclog pores. The skin’s surface becomes smooth, and you get a bright complexion.
• Next is skin cell turnover, where the outer layers are removed, and new skin cells replace the old ones. This improves skin texture and decreases fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Medium and deep peels encourage collagen production in the in-depth layers of the skin, improving elasticity and firmness. This enhances skin health and reduces the appearance of fine lines. 

To learn how Avail Aesthetics MD can help you, speak to us.

Chemical peels may also treat some skin conditions or improve skin texture and tone. Most commonly, they are performed on the neck, face, and hands. A list of conditions chemical peels address is:

• Acne
• Scarring
• Age spots, sun spots, and freckles
• Rough skin
• Actinic Keratosis
• Melasma during pregnancy
• And more.

The chemical peel strength is determined by the expert working with you and depends on the treatment goals.

What are the benefits of Chemical Peels?

• Fine lines and wrinkles – Chemical peels promote collagen production and cell turnover, lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Enhanced tone and texture – Skin texture improves significantly, reducing sun damage and discoloration for a more uniform complexion.
• Acne and Scars – Chemical peels reduce the appearance of acne scars, reduce inflammation and reduce scar depth.
• Pore sizes – Superficial peels refine pores and minimize their appearance, making them less noticeable.

Different Types of Chemical Peels

• Deep Peels – These use stronger acids to penetrate the deep layers of the skin. Phenols are applied to combat sun damage, excessive scarring, and deep wrinkles. These peels are intense and require more recovery time.
• Superficial peels – Acids used in superficial peels are mild, such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate the outermost layers of the skin gently. These improve skin brightness and texture. 
• Medium peels – Medium-depth chemical peels typically use trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to infiltrate the middle layers of the skin. They address uneven pigmentation, acne scars, and wrinkles, providing moderate results. 

Must Read: Skin Rejuvenation Without Surgery.

Chemicals within peels

• Glycolic acid peel – Derived from sugar cane, sugar beets, and other materials, glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that is used in medium-strength chemical peels. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Salicylic acid peel – Ideal for light skin treatments, a salicylic acid peel uses a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). This helps exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin and remove clogged pores. 
• Lactic acid peel – This mild chemical skin treatment uses lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from milk, to exfoliate the top layer of the skin.

Conclusion

Chemical peels have multiple benefits. They don’t just rejuvenate the skin; they also target a number of skin conditions, from texture to tone and acne. If you understand them correctly, they can be an important part of your skin care routine. To learn more, speak to the experts at Avail Aesthetics MD.

FAQs