It’s that time of year again. The time when your skin needs help from being out in the elements all summer. Excess sun and wind can damage facial skin causing a dull complexion which needs help with tone and texture. The big question, however, is what’s best for your skin? With different treatments available to help eliminate damaged skin cells and replace them with fresh, vibrant skin, you must know the course to take so you look great for your upcoming fall and winter festivities.
Chemical peels are optimal skin care treatments designed to quickly and efficiently resolve skin issues like acne, sun spots, scarring, uneven pigmentation, and facial blemishes. But which chemical peel is right for you?
Light vs. Deep Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can be as diverse as skin tones and can be either light, medium, or deep in their skin penetration. These classifications also refer to how many layers of skin need removing. A light chemical peel will penetrate only the outermost layer of skin using a mild solution like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or a lower concentration of trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Trained skin care professionals like a qualified aesthetician under the supervision of a board-certified plastic surgeon are the best option for effective and safe results.
When skin care dictates a deeper penetration, a stronger solution will deliver a deeper peel. TCA peels with stronger solutions will address advanced signs of aging like deep wrinkles and lines. They are also effective in treating severe acne scars and extensive sun damage. Because medium and deep peels use stronger solutions to produce dramatic results, anesthesia and several days of downtime may be necessary to ensure less discomfort, proper healing, and best results.
Custom Treatment
Our skin care professionals at Limelight Medical Spa include professional aestheticians, board-certified plastic surgeons and a board-certified dermatologist combining to ensure a treatment regimen which we tailor to your unique skin type and specific needs. With this comprehensive team, patients can be confident of receiving the best care possible during the consultation, evaluation, individualized treatment, and recovery.
Once your initial healing phase is complete, you will notice a tighter, brighter skin presence with an even skin tone. Because the effects of a chemical peel are often cumulative, you may require multiple sessions done periodically to achieve optimal results continuously.
Different Skin Tones
Your skin tone will play an important role in which chemical peel will be necessary to achieve the best results possible for your unique skin. Melanocytes, which generates melanin and determines skin color, come in different amounts in each patient. With fair skin patients, melanocytes don’t produce much melanin at all while with dark skin patients; more melanin is generated.
Patients with fair skin and light hair are the best candidates for chemical peels, because melanin production is less likely to be affected. However, this does not mean dark-skinned patients are not suitable candidates for chemical peels. They just require more assessment and care when considering the treatment.
Darker skin patients have a greater risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which causes uneven tone due to traumatic events like cuts, bruises, or acne. Although this condition may fade naturally, it will require extensive time out of the sun. Patients seeking to eliminate PIH quickly, a chemical peel may be a good option. However, this option should only be considered by a skin care professional or dermatologist because of the risk of unusual melanin distribution can be a concern.
When chemical peels are not suitable for dark skin tones, other treatments like laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion or ultrasonic hydrating facials may be the best option.
To learn more about our Limelight Medical Spa and chemical peels, schedule a consultation today!