Chemical peels are a popular treatment option for many individuals who have wrinkles, facial folds or creases, acne scars and discoloration, offering long-term results, as well as treatments that can be designed to suit many different degrees of damage.
Peels are offered in varying strengths, from mild superficial peels to much deeper peels that require significantly longer recovery periods. But all peels have one thing in common: they result in exposing newer, fresher layers of skin, removing the damage caused by aging, sun exposure and acne and offering a younger, more rejuvenated appearance.
By varying the type of chemical used, as well as the length of time the solutions are allowed to remain on the skin, chemical peels are effective in treating a wide range of cosmetic issues.
While the specific types of peels and the solutions they use may vary, most peels can be generally categorized into three main groups:
- Light peels address the most superficial damage, caused by sun, aging and some light acne. Light peels can also improve skin texture, especially in individuals who are prone to chronic dry skin. Also commonly referred to as glycolic peels or AHA peels, these peels offer the least amount of downtime, and some allow you to return to your regular activity immediately. In addition, some light peels do not require sedation.
- Medium peels improve mild acne scars, as well as age spots and other discoloration, and can smooth mild to moderate wrinkles and creases.
- Deep chemical peels use the strongest chemicals, and may be left on the skin’s surface for longer periods of time than medium peels. These peels are used to treat significant scarring, deep lines, coarse wrinkles and other significant damage due to sun, aging or acne.
Chemical peels also stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin, providing new skin with a younger, fresher appearance.
