A chemical peel is a course of treatment that cleanses and rejuvenates the skin of the face. There are several different options of treatment when it comes to getting a chemical peel and each one has its own strength and weaknesses.
Chemical peels, unlike the suggestion made by their name do not ‘peel’ away the skin, but rather the acid base of chemicals dissolved the upper layers of skin, and in reaction to this, the body begins its healing responses and therefore regenerates the removed skin, this new layer will be smoother and without many of the flaws on the previous layers.
There are many reasons why somebody may wish to get a chemical peel, ranging from minor issues such as wrinkle reduction or other signs of aging, through to aiding the treatment of acne in many people, curing the damaged caused by extended UV(sunbathing) exposure, or even to help with issues surrounding pigmentation.
There are various chemicals used, Phenol Peels are the more aggressive of the chemical peels and remove the top layers of skin, while another popular choice is Trichloroacetic acid peels, these are suitable for most skin types, and remove dead skin cells and reinvigorate the skin leaving it feeling smoother and looking more youthful. For people with naturally dark skin pigmentation there are certain pre treatment procedures that should be followed so as to minimize the possibility of Hypopigmentation.
When you talk about applying acid based chemicals to the face in order to dissolve the upper layers of skin, there are quite obviously going to be potential side effects and risks, the main one of course being burning and sensitivity to the area, and it is always a good idea to set aside a couple of days to relax after receiving a chemical peel.
Chemical peels can also help with the control of dark spots on the skin that could hold a danger of turning cancerous, ask your doctor for more information if you feel worried about a particular dark area of pigmentation.
The cost of chemical peels varies greatly depending on the chemical you wish to use. The more aggressive phenol peels for example cost approximately $1700 per treatment, while the more common Trichloroacetic Acid peels are a mere $450. You can if you only wish for a minor level of improvement or a simple touch up to a previously applied chemical peel, choose a Glycolic Acid based peel which is only $270.
A doctor will be able to give you a good idea of what treatment is best for you, depending on your objectives from the peel, your skin type and the level of damage to the skin, such as dryness, or over exposure to the sun.
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