How Effective are Chemical Peels?

Patients in the Weatherford, Texas area, as well as in other parts of the country, are often seeking ways of improving their skin and getting rid of various blemishes or signs of aging. Wrinkles and fine lines are often some of the first cosmetic blemishes that make people feel aged. Overcoming these conditions is very important to many people who feel embarrassed or self-conscious of these blemishes. While others are not bothered by signs of aging, there are many who actively seek the assistance of trained medical professionals to make these signs of aging a thing of the past.

Chemical peels are among the most popular cosmetic procedures available in the industry. Many inquire about them for their versatility in treating various conditions and the different strengths of chemical peels for different goals. Some of the lighter chemical peels treat just the upper most layer of skin, called the epidermis, while the deeper chemical peels can treat into the lower layer of the skin, called the dermis, for more dramatic results. Which degree of chemical peel you choose is often dependent on your goals, how drastic of results you are looking for, as well as certain health or medical concerns that should be discussed with a trained physician.

These procedures may be used to provide relief from photoaging that is the result of sun damage, scarring, acne, discoloration of the skin, precancerous lesions and, of course, wrinkles. By producing a controlled damage to the skin, new skin grows in its place allowing for an improved appearance. There are several different chemicals used in performing chemical peels. Exactly which are used often depends on the degree of chemical peel being performed. Some of the chemicals include glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (also called TCA), salicylic acid, 'Jessners' solution and phenol. Superficial peels typically contain glycolic acid while the deeper peels typically contain phenol, with light medium peels often using some combination of chemicals.

Individuals with active infections and those who are taking certain medications such as Acutane may not be considered a candidate for chemical peels. Other conditions that may preclude individuals from candidacy for this treatment are abnormal scarring, various skin diseases and those who have recently undergone surgery. Discuss with a medical professional in the Weatherford area whether chemical peels are a good option for you, and if so, which degree or depth is right.

The superficial and light peels may require very little recovery time and patients are often able to resume normal daily activities shortly after the procedure. Deeper peels may require anesthesia and therefore have a much longer recover period that involves occlusive bandages and sometimes requires up to a month to recover. Vital signs must be monitored when a deep chemical peel is performed. There are also complications that may occur with chemical peels, particularly deep chemical peels, such as scarring, permanent texture changes and darkening or redness of the skin.

Several sessions may be required when using the superficial peel, while the deeper peel may require just one session to reach desired results. Repeat treatments may be required in the future to maintain results. Results from deeper peels also last longer than those from superficial peels. Typically, results can last for several months of years. The cost of each peel will largely depend on the depth of the peel and the clinic at which the treatment is performed. Individuals seeking further information should seek consultation with a professional in the Weatherford area.

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