How to Know What Type of Chemical Peel is Right for You
Chemical peels have been a long-time favorite in the skin care world. It’s even been said that early Egyptians used a form of the procedure. Of course, medical science has advanced since then, and so have chemical peels. Today, there are any number of formulas that can be used to target specific cosmetic concerns. Our licensed aestheticians have a few tips to help you understand the various types of chemical peels and the ones that may be best for you.
The Basics
If you’re new to chemical peels, here’s the basic concept: after cleansing your skin, an aesthetician or other medical professional will apply a specialized, acidic formula. After letting it work on your skin for a few minutes, it will be washed away. Over the following several days, your skin will look and feel like it’s sunburned before the damaged surface skin peels away. This reveals brighter, smoother, younger-looking skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage, and other surface imperfections.
Three Depths of Peels
Chemical peels can have any number of strength levels, but there are three basic categories: light, medium, and deep.
Light peels produce a minimal amount of peeling – in some cases, no visible peeling at all. They typically use alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like citric, glycolic, lactic, malic, or tartaric acids. Other light peels use beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acids. Any light peel will reduce fine lines, dryness, acne, and minor pigment irregularities. They’re particularly effective when patients receive a series of several peels.
Medium peels penetrate deeper into the skin for more significant peeling and more dramatic results. They usually use trichloracetic acid (or TCA), although they can use different concentrations of TCA. On top of the issues light peels can treat, medium peels address acne scars, advanced sun damage and pigment imperfections, and deeper wrinkles.
Finally, deep peels are much more extensive procedures. They need to be performed by an experienced physician using anesthesia and they require extended recovery time – which is more than most patients want. In fact, advanced laser skin treatments have been able to achieve similar results with far less downtime and with a procedure that an aesthetician can perform in-office. For this reason, deep peels are not performed often.
Types of Peels at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center
At Laser Lights, we’re all about giving each patient the best treatment for their specific needs. For that reason, we offer a variety of both light and medium peels.
For patients with sensitive skin who still want the improvement a light peel can offer, we provide the Sensi Peel®. Depending on the results you’re aiming for, our licensed medical aestheticians can apply multiple layers, and/or recommend a series of several treatments.
For stronger results, we offer two types of medium peels – TCA peels and the well-known VI Peel®. Both of these peels can also be performed as a series of treatments depending on your cosmetic goals.
Within the categories of peels, there are different formulas designed to address specific skin care concerns. The only way to truly know which peel is best for you is to complete a consultation with a licensed aesthetician. At Laser Lights, we offer a free skin care consultation to give you the perfect recommendation for your cosmetic goals. For more skin care tips, keep up with our blog, our special offers, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.