Are you noticing some cosmetic concerns like scarring, acne, or wrinkling? Chemical peels can be effective ways to help your skin look healthier. At ALC Medspa in Gurnee, IL, our chemical peel treatments are safe, effective, and will provide you with long-lasting results that you’ll love.
Getting a chemical peel is a great way to restore your skin to a much healthier state. There are several different types of peels, all of which will offer you different results for different amounts of time.
For instance, light peels may last you a couple of months while you’ll only ever need to get one deep peel to get the results you’re looking for. A medium peel, meanwhile, can last anywhere from two to six months.
Light peels are the most common type of peel. When you get one of these peels, you’re only targeting the surface level or the epidermis of your skin. These peels can be used to help temporarily manage symptoms of things like rosacea, acne, wrinkling, and dry skin.
Most people will get to enjoy the results from their light peel for around 1 to 2 months, but you may notice that your results last longer the more frequently you get your peels. Depending on the severity of your skin concerns, you may also need to get light peels as frequently as biweekly.
If you have skin concerns that go deeper than just the surface layer of your skin, then we may recommend getting a medium peel. These will be more intensive than a light peel, which also means you’ll get to enjoy your results for longer. You can also expect more dramatic results.
Medium peels are especially effective for managing more severe skin problems like acne scarring or deeper wrinkles. When these peels are applied, they’ll go beyond your epidermis and turn over your dermis’s cells as well. Most people find that after getting several medium peels, the results they get from the peels become permanent. You may, however, need a few follow-up treatments throughout the year.
These peels are the most intensive type of peel you can get. They are generally used for people who have serious cosmetic concerns, like particularly deep wrinkles or folds. Because they are so intense, they will offer you the most dramatic results as well as the longest-lasting results.
In fact, because the chemicals used in deep peels work so intensively, you should only get one deep peel in your entire life. They can be used to effectively remove deep wrinkles as well as precancerous growths.
This is the easiest type of peel to receive because it only targets the surface level of your skin. Most light peels are made up of chemical solutions including salicylic acid and glycolic acid. We will apply this solution to your skin using a cotton ball.
Once the peel is applied, we will wait for it to take effect. As the cells turn over, your skin will begin to white. You will not feel any pain during the process. Once the peel is done, we’ll wash the solution off your skin with a neutralizing solution.
Getting a medium peel is very similar to getting a light peel. The major difference between the two is the type of acids used in them. Medium peels will generally have a solution of glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid.
Just as we would for a light peel, we’ll apply the chemical solution to your skin with a cotton ball. As you feel the solution taking effect, you’ll again notice your skin whitening as the cells turn over and dead skin is pushed to the top. After a few minutes, we’ll remove the solution and provide you with a cold compress. You should experience no pain or discomfort.
A deep peel will go far deeper than just your epidermis and your dermis. Because the chemicals that are used during these peels are so heavy and intense, the process of applying them is different than a light or medium peel.
You can expect to take several breaks throughout the process of applying a deep peel. We will monitor your body’s reaction to these peels closely as they are applied to keep your treatment safe. Most deep peel treatments will be applied at 15-minute intervals with periods of cooling the skin. Most deep peel treatments take around 90 minutes to complete.
Within two to three days of your peel, you’ll start to notice your skin peeling. It will continue peeling for anywhere from two to five days. You’ll be able to see the full results of your peel around four to eight days after you receive your treatment.
The full results that you can expect, as well as the amount of time you can expect them to last depend on several factors including your skin as well as how well you care for it after your appointment.
One of the most important things you need to do generally for your skin is to moisturize it. It’s even more important to keep it hydrated as it recovers from your peel, regardless of the type of peel you’re getting.
However, you’re also going to want to avoid over-moisturizing as this could cause issues. If you have particularly oily skin, you should only moisturize about once a day. However, if you have normal to dry skin, then moisturizing twice a day is best. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid scented moisturizers.
The other important step to take care of your skin after your peel is to apply sunscreen. You should be applying sunscreen every day regardless of whether you’ve had a peel recently—and that means in the winter too. But since your skin may be more sensitive than normal after a peel, it’s even more important to apply sunscreen.
Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. When applying, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face. Make sure that you reapply every few hours, and avoid touching your face otherwise.
It might seem logical at first to assume that picking at your skin will help speed up the peeling process. But you should avoid picking at your skin at all costs. Not only will it not make your skin peel faster, but it could also be risky for your skin.
Picking at your skin or even touching it at all could trigger severe acne breakouts. While your skin is going through the peeling process, only ever touch your skin when you are moisturizing it or applying sunscreen with clean hands.
Chemical peels are fantastic ways to help your skin stay healthy and enjoy a clear, youthful appearance. One of the additional benefits of getting a chemical peel is that you can easily combine them with other cosmetic treatments if you are looking for even more dramatic results.
You may want to think about getting injectables to help you put any lost volume back into your skin for a fuller and more youthful appearance. You can also ask about getting dermaplaning a few weeks before your treatment to further exfoliate your skin, remove peach fuzz, and potentially help the peel work better.
Almost anyone can get a chemical peel to help their skin look and feel healthier. However, if you are pregnant then you should avoid getting a chemical peel. Before your appointment, we’ll discuss your goals and needs to ensure this is the right treatment for you.
If you are unhappy with the current appearance of your skin or if you’re dealing with issues like acne scarring, skin discoloration, wrinkling, or scarring, then a chemical peel might be the right solution for you. They can also be used to help remove precancerous growths on the skin.
If chemical peels sound like they might be the perfect solution to your cosmetic concerns, then it’s time to get in touch with our team. We’ll help you get the healthy skin you’re looking for. Call us today at ALC Medspa in Gurnee, IL.
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