Terri Ramsey Beavers Every day we learn new ways of taking care of our skin. Therefore, it’s no surprise to see people continually switching up their skincare routines. There are different types of exfoliants; chemical peels being one of them. If you have never used them before, I would advise going to a skilled dermatologist for proper guidelines. If you live in and around New York, you should reach out to certified Manhattan Dermatology clinics for quality skin treatment services.
What exactly are chemical peels?
Chemical peels are a type of skin exfoliating treatment that removes the skin’s outer layer leaving a smooth surface. They work by removing dead cells, improving skin texture as well as getting rid of pigmentation.
Uses of Chemical Peels
- Unclog skin pores
- Reduce scarring
- Offer deep skin exfoliation
- Rejuvenate skin
- Reduce skin pigmentation
- Treat particular types of acne
- Improve skin appearance by reducing UV damage
Am I a viable candidate for chemical peels?
The short answer is yes. Everyone can get a chemical peel. However, you shouldn’t get a peel if you have an open wound or sensitive skin. This is why you should first go to a professional if it is your first time using chemical peels.
Types of Chemical Peels and their Benefits
1. Light Peels
Light peels, also known as superficial peels, are the most common and preferred due to the little downtime required. These are the only peels that you can ‘DIY’ and not experience any complications.
They are excellent for treating mild acne as well as skin pores. These peels contain minimal doses of mandelic, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid.
You may also use a mix of all these peels to target specific skin issues at a go. They typically go for about $50. Also, due to their superficial feature, you would need several treatments, probably each month, to see any satisfactory results.
2. Medium Peels
Medium peels have deeper skin penetration than light peels. They are useful in treating wrinkles, scarring, age spots, and severe sun damage. Doctors may also use such peels to manage precancerous growth.
Common medium peels include trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and higher concentrations of glycolic acid ranging between 10 and 35 percent. These peels cost anywhere between $200 to $1000.
While you might see improvement after one session, you will need a few more to see the full benefits. Also, there’s a high risk of pigmentation, especially for people with darker complexions. It would be best to get it done by a dermatologist. You may even require pain medication for this type of peel.
3. Deep Peels
Deep peels have the highest penetration out of all three chemical peels. They target extreme skin problems such as severe discoloration, scarring as well as deep wrinkles. The main types of deep peels are phenol and highly-concentrated TCA of about 50%.
They are much more expensive, costing $500 upwards for each treatment. You will require two weeks or even longer before you can go back to work. Therefore, you may want to consider laser treatment, which has little downtime compared to deep peels.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects are rare when using superficial peels. As for the other two, you may experience inflammation, redness as well as pigmentation depending on your skin complexion.
Chemical peels are the right solution for various skin problems, and many people can swear by them. To know which one is right for you, book an appointment with qualified aestheticians such as the team at Manhattan Dermatology in New York.