Chemical Peels
GENTLY REMOVE DEAD SKIN TO REVEAL A MORE YOUTHFUL, GLOWING COMPLEXION
Healthy skin has a natural glow—but aging, lack of sleep, and other stressors can cause the skin to look less radiant over time. Fortunately, cosmetic treatments can help to exfoliate the face while stimulating the growth of new cells for a refreshed look. Chemical peels at the Philadelphia area's Cross Medical Group address dullness, as well as correct fine lines, wrinkles, acne, scars, uneven pigmentation, and other imperfections.
Specific formulations of chemicals are used to gently remove cells in a uniform fashion to reduce signs of aging on the face, neck, chest, and hands. Here’s what you should know about chemical peels.
WHAT CAUSES UNEVEN SKIN TONE AND TEXTURE?
Skin is the body's protective barrier that constantly endures stress from exposure to external elements during everyday life, including weather changes, toxins, and ultraviolet radiation. Our body sheds and replaces dead skin cells with new ones in a continuous cycle as part of that function. If this process is interrupted or slows down, a buildup of dead skin cells can develop. Changes can be caused by factors like weather, lifestyle, skin care products, aging, sun exposure, and dehydration. As a result of cells not shedding when they should, the skin can appear dry, washed out, dull, and uneven.
Dead skin can also clog pores, leading to a dull appearance, more pronounced wrinkles, and acne flare-ups.
Chemical exfoliation helps to remove excess dead cells and enhance the skin’s appearance.
HOW DO CHEMICAL PEELS WORK?
As the name suggests, chemical peels—also referred to as chemical exfoliation—involve using a chemical to peel away the outer layers of the skin. During a peel treatment, an aesthetician will apply a customized mixture of acids directly to your face to gently exfoliate the surface. Peels also encourage the production of proteins such as collagen and elastin.
The formula is tailored to the patient's goals, including the desired degree of rejuvenation and post-treatment healing. With any peel, some redness, itching, swelling, burning, and flaking may occur afterward. The recovery ranges from a few days to two weeks, and sun protection is critical. The stronger the peel, the longer the downtime after for healing, but the more dramatic the results will be.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Reach out to Cross Medical Group for more advice about chemical peels in the Philadelphia area. Call (215) 561-9100 (Philadelphia) or (610) 688-9100. (Main Line's Villanova). You can also send a message online to inquire about a consultation or to request more information.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHEMICAL PEELS?
The best type of peel for you depends on what your skincare goals are, the severity of your skin imperfections, and the assessment from a skincare specialist. Your aesthetician will discuss the best chemical peel solution for your skin with you during your initial consultation. There are three categories: light, medium, and deep.
LIGHT CHEMICAL PEELS
Light or superficial peels, such as low-strength salicylic acid peels, are gentle and only minimally penetrate the skin. They are best for minor skin concerns since only affect the outer layers of the epidermis.
MEDIUM CHEMICAL PEELS
Medium peels such as TCA and Jessner peels penetrate to the dermis or middle layer of skin to correct moderate skin problems.
DEEP CHEMICAL PEELS
Deep chemical peels, such as high-percentage TCA peels, reach a deeper part of the middle layers of skin, targeting moderate to severe skin concerns, severe scarring, and pronounced wrinkles.
WHAT CAN A CHEMICAL PEEL TREAT?
Chemical peels can be particularly beneficial for improving skin tone and texture, minimizing superficial facial scars, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage or aging, reducing the appearance of acne and acne scars, clearing up dark spots and other pigmentation, brightening the skin tone, unclogging blocked pores, and minimizing large pores.
This stimulates skin cell renewal and the production of new collagen. By removing dead skin, peels improve skin hydration and allow topical products to be more effective because they can be more easily absorbed into the skin.
WHO IS A CHEMICAL PEEL BEST FOR?
Who qualifies for a chemical peel? This treatment can be beneficial for most patients, but fair-skinned and light-haired patients are thought to be ideal candidates. Patients with a history of abnormal skin scarring, who have a natural dark skin tone, who are prone to having extra pigmentation on their scars, who have used certain types of acne treatments within the past year, or who have skin conditions or medications that make their skin abnormally sensitive may not always be suitable candidates for peels.
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR CHEMICAL PEELS?
Prior to your chemical peel, we will go over your medical history with you at a consultation. We will ask you about any current or past medical conditions, any medications you are taking, and any cosmetic procedures you have had. We will examine your skin on the area that will be treated, particularly noting the tone and thickness of the skin to help you decide which type of peel will be best. You’ll also talk to us about your goals and expectations so we can develop a personalized plan.
WHAT ARE RECOVERY AND AFTERCARE LIKE FOR A CHEMICAL PEEL?
Patients will be curious about what to expect in the days after a chemical peel. The recovery experience you have will depend on what type of chemical peel you choose. Light chemical peels cause a sunburn-like reaction with redness and scaling. You will need to apply a lotion or cream until the skin heals, then wear sunscreen daily after it heals. Makeup can be worn right after the procedure or on the same day.
After a medium chemical peel, there will be some side effects, such as redness, swelling, stinging, and flaking. Blisters may develop, and some crusting or peeling may occur. You will be able to resume wearing makeup after five to seven days.
Your skin may need to be bandaged after a deep chemical peel, and it may take around 14 to 21 days of healing time. You will need to soak your skin daily, apply moisturizer, and avoid makeup and sun exposure. Some patients may need to take antiviral medication.
Your skin will be sensitive and more susceptible to complications following a peel. We will provide post-treatment guidelines to help you optimize results and reduce the risk of side effects. There are some general tips that can help to boost your recovery experience regardless of what type of chemical peel you have had. It’s recommended that you don’t tan your skin (outdoors or indoors), continue to apply sunscreen daily, and keep your skin moisturized each day.
WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT FROM A CHEMICAL PEEL?
Do chemical peels really make a difference? How long after a chemical peel will I see results?
You will achieve noticeable results when your skin has healed. Chemical peels provide visible improvements for various types of skin imperfections, like fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and uneven pigmentation. The skin will continually be affected by aging and other changes due to sun damage that results in the development of wrinkles and spots, as well as repetitive facial expressions that cause wrinkles to deepen. Due to this, the results of any type of chemical peel will be temporary. To maintain your results, you can repeat chemical peels.
SKIN REJUVENATION OPTIONS BEYOND CHEMICAL PEELS IN PHILADELPHIA
Cross Medical Group offers other non-surgical skin rejuvenation options that can optimize the results of a peel or be used as alternatives. A pre-peel treatment, such as dermaplaning to prepare the skin, can enhance the results from chemical peels. Along with peels, other skin resurfacing and rejuvenation options available from Cross Medical Group include The SaltFacial®, an advanced facial that involves exfoliating the skin with pure, organic sea salt, laser skin resurfacing to target skin tone and texture imperfections, AquaGold Microneedling to promote collagen regeneration, and light-based IPL treatments to improve the skin tone.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Contact Cross Medical Group to discover more about chemical peels in Philadelphia (215) 561-9100 or Main Line′s Villanova (610) 688-9100. You can also send a message online to inquire about a consultation, or for more information.
