Is your skin prone to wrinkles, acne scars, or sun damage? Dermatologists now have a solution to all these problems – the chemical peels.
We are sure you have heard about this procedure already, but how exactly it works, and what’s the science behind it? These questions often put the potential patients of the treatment in confusion.
But you wouldn’t be confused if you understood the process behind it, right? So, here’s a detailed guide explaining what chemical peel is and how it can provide you with the desired results.
Let’s start our exploratory journey:
What is a Chemical Peel?
It is a cosmetic procedure that can help rejuvenate the skin and address multiple issues related to skin damage.
The skin care specialist applies a chemical solution to the skin. This chemical solution is specifically created to exfoliate and renew the skin. Here are a few benefits you can expect from the chemical peel solution:
Skin Exfoliation: With the chemical solution, the topmost dead layer of the skin is removed to get healthier and nourished skin from underneath.
Addressing Skin issues: Specific issues like fine lines and wrinkles, acne and scars, sun damage and age spots, uneven skin tone and texture, Hyperpigmentation and melisma, and rough or dull skin are addressed by using the chemical peel solution.
Improved Collagen Production: As the healing response is naturally triggered via applying the chemical solution to the skin, it produces Collagen and Elastin. Both these proteins are known for bringing youthfulness, firmness, and elasticity to the skin.
Better Skin Radiance: The chemical solution can result in a smoother skin texture; consequently, the skin appears brighter.
Chemical Peel Process:
There are three basic steps involved in the chemical peel process:
Application of Chemical Solution:
The first step in the chemical peel process is applying the solution. This solution is specially created based on the individual’s specific needs. A dermatologist determines the skin issues and the expected results from the patient from the process and then determines the right solution to be considered.
Here are the most common types of acids used in the chemical peel solution:
Common types of acids used in chemical peels include:
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Such acids address mild skin concerns. These acids are often used for superficial peels. Examples include Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid.
- Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): If the patients suffer from acne and oily skin, the dermatologist will most likely consider these acids in the chemical peel treatment. Such acids can easily penetrate the oil-filled pores; thus, they prove effective in the treatment.
- Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA): These acids can address wrinkles, pigmentation issues, and acne scars. Often, they are used for conducting medium-depth peels.
Exfoliation of the Skin
The second step in the process is the exfoliation of the top layer of the skin. As soon as the chemical is applied to the skin, it breaks the bond that holds the dead skin with the healthy skin.
Once the bond weakens, the dead skin cells start shedding. This process can continue even after days of applying the chemical solution. The depth of the peel depends on the type and strength of the chemical peel. The stronger the acids used, the more the depth of peeling and dead skin shredding will be.
Below are the three common types of peel depths patients can choose from with the help of dermatologists:
Superficial Peels: These peels are for the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis.
Medium Peels: These peels penetrate deeper into the epidermis and may reach the upper layers of the dermis.
Deep Peels: With these peels, you can expect to reach the lower layer of the dermis. These peels are important for skin exfoliation and skin remodeling.
Stimulation of Collagen Production:
Once the outer layer of the skin is peeled, the body naturally initiates the healing process because of this healing process. Collagen and Elastin are produced. Here are the benefits of collagen and Elastin.
Collagen:
It is a structural protein that provides the skin strength and resilience. With collagen stimulation, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, and you can experience more youthful skin.
Elastin:
It is another protein that helps your skin return to its original shape after stretching. Elasticity and firmness are the main traits that Elastin governs.
Exfoliation and collagen stimulation result in smoother, firmer, vibrant, and refreshed skin. Chemical peel offers transformative results for those seeking to improve their skin’s health and appearance.
Conclusion:
The science behind the chemical peels is a combination of controlled exfoliation and collagen stimulation. The process works to remove the damaged skin and make it look healthier and younger.
While considering the chemical peel, it is important to consult a qualified dermatologist to determine the strength and type of the chemical peel.
It is a powerful cosmetic tool to achieve a refreshed and rejuvenated complexion when done right.