Chemical Peels and Your Skin

 Chemical peels can vastly improve the appearance of most people’s skin. If you’ve ever had a sunburn and peeled, you are halfway to understanding the principle of chemical peels. They vary according to their specific ingredients and strengths and you should always consult a skin care professional in choosing which are best for you. In these treatments, a chemical solution is applied to the skin which helps to lift dead and dying cells and eventually slough or peel the skin. Peels can be used on the face, neck, décolleté and hands. The “new skin” is usually smoother and appears less wrinkled.
Most professionals recommend peels to reduce fine lines around the eyes and mouth, treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging and improve the appearance of mild scars. Peels are also used to treat some forms of acne, age spots, freckles and darkening of the skin (melasma) sometimes caused by pregnancy or birth control pills. They always improve the look and feel of the skin.
The best candidates for these procedures are generally fair to medium skin tones, although certain types of darker skin may also see good results. Your skin therapist can tell you whether or not you would benefit from their use. Be aware though, that sagging or deeply wrinkled skins do not tighten from peels, so you shouldn’t expect miracles. The treatments are most effective when done in a series over the course of a few months, and there are some contraindications such as use of Retin A products or certain other medications prescribed for the skin.
Always consult with your Dermatologist or Medical Esthetician to decide if these are right for you and for specific instructions for care during the regimen.