If you are looking for a safe and gentle way to resurface your skin, you may want to consider chemical peels. At Bala Aesthetics & Medspa in Bel Air, MD, we offer several peel options to improve most aspects of your skin, including your complexion and general skin health. Whether you’re interested in a VI peel or a micro peel, we can help you design a treatment plan, so you can enjoy the skin of your dreams.
What Are the Benefits of Chemical Peels?
The main benefit of a chemical peel is the ability to uncover your freshest, most beautiful-looking skin without any painful laser treatments. Although laser and light energy can greatly improve many aspects of your skin, some people who have sensitive skin or rosacea-prone skin may not be able to use these advanced treatments. A chemical peel, on the other hand, is compatible with virtually all skin types. Some other benefits of chemical peels include:
Improve Aging Skin
If you want to have younger-looking skin, a chemical peel treatment is a good option for you. A chemical peel can remove the uppermost layer of the skin to reduce the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which can remove several years from your overall appearance. Not only will a chemical peel reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also address other age-related concerns, such as dark spots.
Even Out Complexion
Many people struggle with a dull or congested complexion. Even if you don’t have significant sun damage or acne breakouts, a lifetime of exposing your skin to environmental pollutants can create blemishes and freckles. For a flawless-looking complexion, a chemical peel is one of the simplest aesthetic treatment options. When your complexion is more even-toned, your skin will appear healthier, and you may need to wear less makeup.
Reduce Shallow Scars
Some chemical peels are perfect for reducing shallow scars on the skin. Shallow scars on the skin can make your skin texture appear uneven, which can be especially obvious in certain lighting. If shallow scarring and other textural irregularities make you feel self-conscious about your skin, you can depend on a chemical peel to ease your concerns.
Control Acne Breakouts
For people who have acne-prone skin, a chemical peel can be the key to finally controlling acne breakouts. Because a chemical peel will remove dead skin cells, it can help keep your skin decongested, especially if you are using a chemical peel formulated with glycolic acid, which can reduce oil production and keep your pores clear. Many people find that regular chemical peel facials are the best way to address minor to moderate acne.
Improve Sun Damage
Sun damage can cause dark spots on your skin that may not respond to skincare products that improve hyperpigmentation. If you have moderate to severe sun damage, you can gradually improve your skin condition when a chemical peel facial. Reducing visible sun damage can make you look years younger.
Soften Skin Texture
Some people may struggle with an uneven skin texture. For people who experience dryness and roughness, the best way to promote softer and smoother skin is to regularly exfoliate. However, at-home exfoliation products may be too harsh or not effective enough to improve your skin condition. A chemical peel formulated for your specific skin type can improve all skin texture irregularities.
Maximize Skincare Products
Finally, a chemical peel can maximize the effectiveness of your skincare products. Your skincare products work best when the active ingredients can sink into the deepest layers of your skin, particularly if you are using products for aging or acne. When you regularly exfoliate your skin, your skincare products can perform better and produce better, longer-lasting results.
Can You See Results After One Treatment?
Some people may be able to see an immediate improvement in the overall condition of their skin after a single chemical peel treatment. However, most people will need a few consecutive treatments to see optimal results. For moderate sun damage and acne, it’s best to use at least three treatments in a row to see the best results.
How Often Should You Schedule a Peel?
For some chemical peels, you can schedule your treatment appointments once a month to keep your skin condition regulated. Light peels that use lighter acidic concentrations are ideal for managing mild to moderate acne, aging, and pigmentation concerns. However, medium and deep peels that exfoliate the skin more deeply may only need to be scheduled a few times a year for optimal results.
Should You Combine a Peel With Other Aesthetic Treatments?
While a chemical peel is a very effective way to improve your overall skin condition, some people may want to enhance the effectiveness of peel treatments. Combining a chemical peel with other aesthetic treatments, including injectables, can be a good strategy to address all of your aesthetic concerns. Two of the best aesthetic treatments to combine with a chemical peel include:
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a light exfoliation technique that will remove the uppermost layer of the skin, along with vellus hair or peach fuzz. Dermaplaning before a chemical peel can allow the acidic solution to penetrate deeper layers of the skin to produce better results. This is a particularly good combination for people who have acne-prone skin or hyperpigmentation concerns.
Microneedling
Sometimes, microneedling can be combined with a chemical peel to address pigmentation and textural irregularities. You will not have these treatments on the same day. Instead, you will begin with a chemical peel to exfoliate your skin, and then several weeks later, you will be able to use microneedling to improve collagen production. If you wait at least four weeks after your chemical peel, you may even be able to use an RF microneedling treatment to optimize your results.
How Can You Enhance the Effects of a Peel?
Aside from adding other aesthetic treatments to your chemical peel regimen, there are other things you can do to enhance the effects of a chemical peel. If you want the results of your peel treatment to last longer or address your concerns more quickly, strategies such as sun protection, skincare products, and a skincare routine can all help you reach your goals.
Sun Protection
Protecting your skin is a must after a chemical peel. As part of your aftercare instructions, you will be directed to wear sunscreen after a chemical peel for at least two to four weeks, although, ideally, you should be wearing sunscreen consistently anyway. When you consistently protect your skin from the sun, you can minimize the aging and hyperpigmentation caused by UV ray exposure. Mineral and chemical topical sunscreens are both adequate for broad-spectrum protection.
Skincare Products
The skincare products you use every day can also enhance the effects of your chemical peel treatment. You should use skincare products that are formulated for your skin type and your skin concerns. However, when you are selecting the active ingredients for your skincare products, be sure you are not using ingredients that counteract each other, such as using retinol and vitamin C during the same time of the day.
Skincare Routine
Your skincare routine is another important component to consider when you want to enhance the effects of a chemical peel. A consistent skincare routine will produce the best results. Once you find ideal skincare products, be sure to use these products every day if your skin can tolerate them. If not, you can use a skin cycling technique to regulate your skin condition, particularly if you are incorporating retinol at night.
When Is the Best Time of Year for a Peel?
Although you can schedule a chemical peel during any time of the year, some medium and deep chemical peels may be better suited to the winter months. This is because stronger chemical peels that exfoliate deeper layers of the skin will make your skin more vulnerable to sun exposure. Since there is less harsh sunlight during the fall and winter, this may be the best time to schedule deeper peel treatments.
Are You a Good Candidate?
A chemical peel treatment is usually a good option for most people, since the acids used for this facial can be customized to your skin type or skin tone. However, you may not be a good candidate for this treatment if you have a history of skin scarring, you are taking certain medications, or you are currently pregnant.
Get the Skin of Your Dreams With Chemical Peel Facials