Chemical peels are an incredibly effective skin rejuvenation treatment. Depending on the strength of the peel you choose, you may want to get a chemical peel once monthly. On the other hand, you may not need another peel for a few years. Today, our aesthetic experts at Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa in Aventura, FL are discussing how often you should get various types of peels.
How Often Should You Get Chemical Peels?
How often you should get chemical peels depends on the strength of the chemical peel you choose and the severity of your skin concerns. Depending on whether you opt for a superficial (light) or a medium chemical peel, you may need to receive a follow-up treatment anywhere from monthly to once every few years.
If you are treating such cosmetic concerns as freckles or acne scarring, you can expect to see incremental improvements over the course of several sessions. Here is a closer look at the frequency with which you may want to consider treatment.
Light Peels
You can safely receive a light peel monthly because it usually consists of salicylic acid or gentle acids derived from fruit. This type of peel is ideal for people who only have mild skin concerns. For example, this peel strength is typically sought to address such concerns as:
- Shallow acne scars
- Mild skin texture issues
- Mild skin tone issues
- Mild hyperpigmentation
- Mild wrinkles
- Fine lines
Medium Peels
Medium chemical peels are usually scheduled four to six months apart. This peel strength usually involves diluted trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid. This is great if you have moderate skin concerns and want to see dramatic results quickly.
Medium peels are so effective because they exfoliate the superficial layer of your skin. Most visible skin damage is caused by unhealthy superficial skin cells. Here are some of the most common skin concerns treated with medium peels:
- Dry skin
- Damaged skin
- Skin trauma
- Moderate hyperpigmentation
- Moderate acne scars
Deep Peels
You should only receive one deep chemical peel in your life if you qualify for this treatment. However, due to its intensity, it is not accessible to everyone. Also, due to the intensity of this phenol-based peel, this is only suitable for treating the face. It is not suitable for treating severe skin concerns in other regions of the body. Here are some of the concerns that can be corrected with a deep chemical peel:
- Loose skin
- Deep acne scars
- Moderate-to-severe lines and wrinkles
- Extreme hyperpigmentation
Benefits of Peels
There are many benefits of chemical peels, ranging from the treatment of hyperpigmentation to the elimination of acne scars. Also, when you get light peels regularly, you can expect your skin to stay healthy and young because peels encourage faster cellular turnover. Here are some of the most exciting benefits of peels.
Wrinkle Elimination
One of the most exciting benefits of peels is they can erase wrinkles. Just two to three days after your chemical peel, the superficial layer of your skin will start peeling. This peeling process continues for two to five days, slowly but surely revealing the younger, healthier skin cells beneath the superficial layer of skin.
The rapid cellular turnover facilitated by superficial or medium peels reverses wrinkles and prevents the formation of new wrinkles temporarily.
Skin Tone Improvement
If you can’t stand your freckles, you’ll love how great peels are at lightening the most stubborn dark spots. Over the course of a few consistent sessions, your dark spots will lighten significantly.
Superficial and medium peels exfoliate the superficial layer of skin cells damaged by sunlight. Beneath this upper layer lies a layer of skin cells yet untouched by the sun and free from tone issues. Also, this consistent exfoliation slowly chips away at acne scars.
Acne Prevention
Medium peels do not just treat acne scars. They also prevent certain types of acne outbreaks. Often, acne outbreaks are caused by excess sebum production. This excess sebum production results in very oily skin that can clog pores and trigger an acne outbreak. The acids included in most light and medium peels are very effective for reducing oiliness and unclogging pores.
Sun Damage Reversal
UV damage caused by sun exposure and tanning beds may be the leading cause of skin aging prematurely. Luckily, light and medium peels can be applied to your hands, neck, and face, reversing the visible signs of sun damage.
For example, wrinkles will be erased and sunspots will fade after just a few treatments. However, to enjoy the longest-lasting results, you should prevent future sun damage by applying sunscreen several times daily.
What Can You Expect During Your Chemical Peel Session?
Sometimes, peels are performed in conjunction with facials. However, they can also stand on their own. During your chemical peel session, the appropriate combination of acidic solutions will be applied to your skin with a special cotton applicator. Once it has been applied, it will remain for several minutes, working to facilitate faster cellular turnover. Afterward, the solutions will be removed.
How Long Do Sessions Take?
The length of your treatment session depends on the scope of your treatment. For example, if you are only having a chemical peel applied to your face, your session may only take 30 minutes. On the other hand, your session may take closer to 90 minutes if you are also having a chemical appeal applied to other parts of your body.
How Quickly Do the Results Become Apparent?
To reiterate, your skin will start to peel two to three days after your session and peel for a total of two to five days. Therefore, you may start seeing your results four to eight days after your session. As you continue attending treatment sessions, your results will continue to improve.
Who Is a Good Candidate for This Type of Treatment?
This non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment is an ideal solution for most people. In fact, it is safe regardless of skin tone, type, or texture. During your initial consultation, we will discuss your cosmetic goals and advise you on the results that you can expect. For the most positive experience, you need to have realistic expectations about what this treatment can and cannot do.
Also, you should be advised that this completely customizable treatment can even be suitable for people with hard-to-treat skin conditions, as atopic dermatitis. We can customize the acids used and the strength of the peel to revitalize your skin safely and effectively.
Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, we will determine the most appropriate peel for you by discussing your cosmetic goals and assessing the current health of your skin. Part of this assessment includes looking for any untreated skin infections you may have near the areas targeted for treatment. After that, we only need to know about any chemicals you are allergic to.
Good Candidates for Light and Medium Peels
You will most likely be considered a good candidate for a light or medium chemical peel if your cosmetic concerns are mild-to-moderate in nature. You also may be considered a good candidate for a light or medium chemical peel if you are trying to prevent acne outbreaks and the formation of wrinkles.
Also, a light or medium chemical peel may be right for you if you don’t have acne outbreaks but you’re still worried about the appearance of clogged pores. A superficial or medium chemical peel also may be right for you if you have chronic dry skin.
Good Candidates for Deep Peels
You may qualify for a deep chemical peel if you have moderate-to-severe skin concerns. For example, a deep peel can erase deep wrinkles, peel away sunspots, and destroy precancerous growths.
However, you must be able to abide by all post-treatment care rules exactly as described. For instance, you can’t skip a day by applying your sunscreen every four hours.
Learn How to Rejuvenate Your Skin Today
Do you think you could benefit from a safe, effective skin rejuvenation treatment? If so, a chemical peel may be right for you. If you opt for a light chemical peel, you may need to get monthly follow-ups. On the other hand, you should only receive one deep chemical peel in your lifetime.
Visit our aesthetic experts at Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Coral Gables, Miami, Sunny Isles, Bay Harbor Islands, or Aventura, FL to learn more about rejuvenating your skin with a superficial, medium, or deep chemical peel.