Chemical Peels are great facial treatments that will significantly improve and smooth the texture of your face by removing the damaged outer layers of your skin. Chemical peels have been proven to help treat acne, wrinkles, skin spots or uneven coloring on your skin. Peel formula’s may need to be adjusted based on skin type and individual needs. Below you will find some FAQ’s about certain types of chemical peel treatments and the results you might expect. And as always, you can contact a Platinum Skin Care Chemical Peel Specialist for any questions you may have about choosing and performing and a chemical peel that is right for you.
What Conditions Do Chemical Peels Treat?
Chemical peels have been proven to:
- Improve the texture and appearance of skin
- Reduce lines and wrinkles under the eyes and mouth area
- Pose as anti aging and sun damage treatment of wrinkles
- treat acne scars
- Proven acne treatment
- Reduce age spots, freckles and dark spots from pregnancy also known as a condition called melasma.
Is a Chemical Peel Right for Me?
If you are looking to improve the texture and appearance of your skin due to damage from aging, the sun, acne, acne scarring, or dark spots from pregnancy, you are a good candidate for a face peel. If it is your first time using a chemical peel, A Platinum Skin Care Specialist is available to assist you with any questions you may have about chemical peels and whether gylcolic, jessners, lactic, salicylic, Mandelic & Azelaic or TCA peels and formulas are right for your skin type. Who is NOT a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?
You are NOT a good candidate for a chemical peel if any of the following apply at the peel site:
- Infection or disease
- Cut or broken skin
- Sunburn
- Currently have an active Herpes simplex 1 sore
- If you are nursing or pregnant
- If you have taken Accutane in last 6 months
- If you currently have Psoriasis, active Eczema, or active Dermatitis.
- If you have used any of the following drugs in the last 48 hours: Retin-A, Renova or other prescription skin care products. Products that contain harsh bleaching or skin-lightening agents. *Products such as Fade Bright or Hydroquinone OTC are just fine.
What is a Gylcolic Acid Chemical Peel?
A Glycolic acid chemical peel is probably the most widely recognized chemical peeling acids there are. It is a great general type of acid. It is water soluble, and works nicely on most skin types to accelerate the turnover of skin cells, remove lesions, restore steadiness, elasticity and can help to improve the true moisturizing characteristics of the skin. But, just because it is the most popular, it does not mean it is the best acid for your skin. Please see our intuitive chart below to see which acid will work best with your issues or feel free to contact a chemical peel specialist at Platinum Skin Care for further assistance.
- 30% Glycolic peel: Normal skin/sensitive skin, fine lines, previous glycolic usage without any irritation. (2.1pH)
- 50% Glycolic peel: Normal/acne/aging skin, used 40% glycolic peels previously SEVERAL TIMES! (2.1pH)
- 70% Glycolic Peel : Normal/aging skin, used 50% glycolic peels previously SEVERAL TIMES! (0.6pH)
What is a Jessners Chemical Peel?
A Jessners chemical peel is best used for treatment of cystic acne and acne scarring. This chemical peel will cause frosting almost immediately upon application and will provide you with much peeling.
What is a Latic Acid Chemical Peel?
A Lactic Acid chemical peel is best for people who have dry skin, are treating age related imperfections like wrinkles under the eyes and around the mouth area, as well as pigmented skin types. This chemical peel can be used on a weekly basis for moisturization. (2.5pH)
What is a Mandelic & Azelaic Acid Chemical Peel?
A Mandelic & Azelaic chemical peel is great for all skin types. It has a LOW irritation factor with great action! Excellent for Fine lines, Acne-Rosacea, Pigmentation (especially post-inflammatory) and ACNE! Antibacterial and antiseptic.
What is a Salicylic Chemical Peel?
A Salicylic chemical peel is ideal for use on heavily clogged pores and people with oily skin and acne. A Salicylic chemical peel is available in 3%/15%/25%. It is recommended that you begin with 15% salicylic before you advance to 25%.
What is a TCA Chemical Peel?
A TCA chemical peel is recommended for use on damaged skin including:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Sun Damage
- Pre-Cancerous Lesions
- Acne
- Lines
- Lip Creases
- Freckling
TCA is applied in multiple layers. Begin with 1 layer and work up to 3-5 layers before moving up to a higher percentage.
- 13%: Beginners and Sensitive Skin (1 layer)
- 20%: Advanced (3-5 layers eq. to Obaji)
- 30%: Professional (1 layer)
- Diluted percentages eq. to scale above.
How Do I Prepare for a Chemical Peel?
Always prepare your skin for at least 2 weeks prior to utilizing a chemical peel for best results. If you are prone to hyper-pigmentation you should use the Fading Gel to help "turn-down" the melanin production in your skin. Retinol and glycolic acid based serums are all preparation products. *A two-week preparation does not guarantee you will not have any pigmentation issues arise during your peel, but it decreases your chances considerably.
