Chemical Peels
What Are They? How Do They Work?
A chemical peel is where a type of mild acid is applied to the skin and this removes the more outer layer of the skin which initiates a collagen building healing response from the body.
Typically the face is cleansed and a primer is applied. The next step is to apply the chemical peel, usually in 1-2 layers. After the chemical peel has been neutralized or has neutralized itself, then a healing balm such as Aquaphor or equivalent can be applied to protect the skin, keep it hydrated while it heals. Peeling or flaking usually occurs within 2-5 days post peel. The neck area takes longer to start flaking or peeling (on average 7-10 days).
Where To Get Them Done
Visit a dermatologist or medical spa for a chemical peel treatment. However, eventually you can work up to doing your own chemical peels at home. (at your own risk, you can severely burn your skin if you use a strong chemical peel incorrectly)
15 Skin Benefits From Chemical Peels:
Exfoliation: Chemical peels effectively remove dead skin cells from the surface, promoting cellular turnover and revealing fresh, youthful skin.
Improves Skin Texture: Chemical peels can smooth out rough skin texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.
Reduces Hyperpigmentation: Chemical peels can help lighten areas of hyperpigmentation, such as sunspots, age spots, and melasma, leading to a more even complexion.
Treats Acne and Acne Scars: Chemical peels can be beneficial in treating acne by reducing the frequency and severity of breakouts. They also help minimize the appearance of acne scars.
Stimulates Collagen Production: Chemical peels can stimulate collagen production in the skin, which improves skin elasticity and firmness, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Diminishes the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Chemical peels can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen synthesis and smoothing the skin's surface.
Improves Skin Tone and Clarity: Chemical peels can enhance skin tone and clarity by removing dull, damaged skin cells and revealing a brighter, more radiant complexion.
Minimizes Pore Size: Chemical peels can help reduce the size of enlarged pores, making the skin appear smoother and more refined.
Balances Oily Skin: Chemical peels can regulate sebum production and control excess oiliness, helping to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
Enhances Skin Hydration: Chemical peels can improve the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to softer, more hydrated skin.
Evens Out Skin Tone: Chemical peels can address uneven skin tone caused by sun damage, hormonal changes, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, resulting in a more uniform complexion.
Boosts Radiance: Chemical peels can restore a youthful glow to the skin by removing dull and damaged surface cells, revealing brighter and more luminous skin.
Reduces the Appearance of Sun Damage: Chemical peels can help fade sunspots, sun damage, and sun-induced wrinkles, improving overall skin health and appearance.
Improves Skin Resilience: Chemical peels promote the growth of healthier, stronger skin cells, improving the skin's resilience against environmental damage.
Enhances Skincare Product Penetration: By exfoliating the outer layer of the skin, chemical peels can enhance the absorption and effectiveness of skincare products applied afterward.
Types of Peels: (Not a comprehensive list, just the most common)
If you are going to do chemical peels at home, some mild peels to start with are:
Mild Peels:
Glycolic acid
Jessner peels
Lactic acid
Mandelic acid
For a more advanced peel:
TCA peels
Phenol peels
My Little Secret to Getting Peels Done Cheaply & Often
I do them at home. I buy the peel solution and do them myself. Just be careful, you can seriously burn your skin if you do them improperly.
I'd recommend starting off with getting them done at medical spas first. Then, when you're familiar with the process, gradually move to doing them at home, following full instructions carefully.
Where Can I Purchase Peels To Do At Home With Full Instructions?
Platinumskincare.com (this is not a promotion or incentivized link)
Platinum skin care sells many different acid peels along with the instructions on how to do them yourself from home.
Benefits:
Chemical peels can improve the color, tone, texture and clarity of skin. They also help even out skin tone and reduce discoloration and dark spots. They can clear up breakouts and acne. They can also minimize fine lines and wrinkles. They also minimize the appearance of superficial scars. They also allow skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin by removing the dead skin from the surface that acts as a barrier.
Risks:
Properly done, chemical peels are generally very safe. However, in the wrong hands or when done incorrectly or at a strength that is too much for skin, they can be very damaging. They can even result in scarring or discoloration if done incorrectly. Redness and peeling is a normal side effect.
Proven Results/Studies:
"Chemical peeling is a popular, relatively inexpensive, and generally safe method for treatment of some skin disorders and to refresh and rejuvenate skin."
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20725555/
"The GA peel has proven to be efficacious through the years. Combining the GA peel with other treatment modalities may become more common in future. However, the GA peel is here to stay, as it is a simple, evidence-based, result-oriented, and cost-effective procedure."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3875240/
"Chemical peels are safe for people with darker skin, result in few side effects and complications"
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180316153843.htm
Note: All information in this report is based on studies and practices that are currently being used in the U.S. today and in no way is a guarantee that these practices will work best on your skin. If you choose to do them yourself from home, know that you do so at your own risk. Be very careful, do small tests on your skin to start and follow the seller's instructions very carefully.