Chemical Peels
What are chemical peels and how they help your skin |
Chemical peels are one of the best ways to refresh your skin when it's feeling dull. Because there is so much information on chemical peels, this section is divided into the below four parts:
- Part 1: What are chemical peels?
- Part 2: Where to get them?
- Part 3: Chemical peels as an acne treatment
- Part 4: Side effects and warnings
Part 1: What are chemical peels?
Chemical peels exfoliate the outer layer of your skin, exposing the softer and smoother skin underneath. They are not necessary treatments, but they do give you results faster than using a light alpha hydroxy acid serum every night.
Some of the more common chemical peels include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and TCA peels (or trichloroacetic acid) ranging from 10% to 75% peels. Which percentage is right for you depends on what your doctor recommends, how your skin responds, and whether you have gotten chemical peels before.
Here's a breakdown of the different types of available chemical peels:
| Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Glycolic Acid Peel | Type of alpha hydroxy peel; Good for fading acne marks and other dark spots; Helps with blackheads; Deep cleans pores; Harsher than lactic acid peels; Smooths rough skin; Evens skin tone; Improves the appearance of light wrinkles; Considered light peels; Peel solution is usually clear and watery; Little to no downtime For my experience, check here. |
| Lactic Acid Peel | Good for hyperpigmentation; Good first time peel choice; Considered a light peel; Smooths skin; Gives healthy glow; Better than glycolic acid peels for those with dry skin; Fades dark marks; Improves the appearance of light wrinkles; Peel solution is yellowish and thicker; Little to no downtime |
| Mandelic Acid Peel | Type of alpha hydroxy acid; Less irritating than glycolic and lactic acids; Exfoliates dead skin cells; Good for those with acne prone skin; Good for those with Rosacea; Safe to use for those with darker skin tones; Evens out skin tone; Helps repair sun damage; Improves the appearance of light wrinkles |
| Salicylic Acid Peel | Good for oily, acne-prone skin; Helps to unclog pores; Considered a light peel; Is a type of beta hydroxy acid peel; Tends to be a deeper than alpha hydroxy peels; Little to no downtime; Must avoid this peel if allergic to aspirin |
| Enzyme Peel | Usually made from fruits; Exfoliates the surface of your skin without being as harsh as other chemical peels; Good for those with skin sensitive to acid; Refines pores; Good for all skin types; Considered a light peel; Little to no downtime |
| Jessner's Peel | Good for those with oily, acne-prone skin; Not good for those with sensitive or dry skin; Usually based in alcohol, so can be drying for some people; Stronger than glycolic or salicylic acid peels, but weaker than TCA peels; Peel solution is usually a combination of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol; Need one week of downtime |
| TCA Peel | Good for acne marks, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring; Medium-depth peel that requires several days of downtime; Skin will physically peel |
| Phenol Peel | Very deep chemical peels; Reduces wrinkles; Removes skin growths; Requires local anesthesia during the procedure; Requires pain medicine post-procedure; Takes at least one month to fully recover |
Depending on the type and strength of the peel you get, chemical peels can help improve light wrinkles, fade acne marks, reduce scarring and hyper-pigmentation, and improve overall skin tone. They can't get rid of moles (try lasers for those) but do help minimize the appearance of skin tags.
First time peel-users should always start off with the lowest percentage peel and gradually increase as skin adjusts. Using a strong percentage on your skin the very first time can cause burns and maybe even permanent damage. You might even be allergic to the particular acid used for the peel, so whenever you're thinking about getting a peel done, be sure you do your homework and read up on it.
Chemical peels are generally used all over the face (except around the eyes) but you can also use them to spot treat certain areas of your skin as well. They can also be used on your hands and neck. Keep in mind that more than one peel is necessary to get your desired results, so don’t expect a single peel to work any miracles.
Move onto part 2 to find out where you can get chemical peels.