Our faces go through so much as we subject them to countless products, sun exposure, and even stress. Over time, this can lead to damage, and since the face is the first thing people notice about us, we can feel insecure about how the skin on our face appears. At Elements Rejuvenating Med Spa in Davenport, FL, we offer several chemical peels that will improve your complexion and the health of your skin. If you have never had a chemical peel before, we are here to answer your questions and explain the specific benefits to each peel available!
What Are Chemical Peels?
If you are constantly trying to fix imperfections on your skin and everything seems to fail, you might want to consider getting a chemical peel treatment. These facial peels are used to remove the top layer of damaged or dead skin cells, impurities, and other debris that may be having a negative impact on the look, feel, and health of your skin.
There are several peels to choose from, and the choice is dependent on your specific needs. The peels tend to vary in how deep they go into your skin and how strong the solutions are to treat the imperfections. These exfoliating treatments are aimed to boost the overall health of your skin and rejuvenate your complexion!
What Are They Used to Treat?
Clients decide to have chemical peels for several reasons as the peels are aimed to treat a variety of imperfections visible on the skin. Peels can be applied to the face, hands, and even the neck, depending on what you want to be treated. Below are several conditions and impurities that are typically treated or improved with chemical peels:
Eliminating Wrinkles and Fine Lines
As we age, wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear more rapidly than we may like. Both fine lines and wrinkles form from the repetition of facial expressions, but the main difference is how deep the lines actually go. Fine lines are small creases in the skin while wrinkles are deep lines that tend to make facial expressions more define.
Fine lines typically lead to deep-set wrinkles and treating them early on can prevent them from worsening. By seeking treatment for fine lines, you may reduce the likelihood of developing deep wrinkles. If you already have deep wrinkles, their appearance may be reduced with a peel treatment.
Treating Sun Damaged Skin
Without proper protection, our skin can be severely damaged from the sun – especially if it continuously exposed. If you have spent countless hours for countless days in the sun without reapplying sunscreen, you may notice your skin is not as healthy as it once was. Sun-damaged skin can include deep lines, dry patches, and even actinic keratoses, which is a precancerous growth on the skin.
Sun damage has the potential to lead to skin cancer. If you have areas of your skin that have been damaged from the sun, you should consider receiving this form of treatment as it may help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer in the future.
Treating Acne Scars
Puberty is not often a fond memory for many of us. The mood swings, physical changes, and the constant breakouts can make that time of life a miserable experience. No one wants to be reminded of bad experiences, but for many of us, our acne scars are constant reminders of those days. Here’s some good news though: acne scars can be treated!
There are multiple variations to acne scars, including atrophic and hypertrophic scars, and these can be treated with chemical peels. The type of peel selected depends on the depth and location of the scars. We will examine your exact condition and make suggestions based on what would be best for your skin.
Reducing Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that causes patches of skin to appear darker than others. Typically this occurs because of excessive production of melanin. Since chemical peels tend to use acids at a higher concentration than over-the-counter facial peels, they are a great option to remove these spots and even out the complexion.
Many times hyperpigmentation occurs deep within the skin, meaning a deep peel is needed to generate more dramatic results. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by several conditions that have been left untreated, including acne scars and sun damage. It is best to treat those conditions before they evolve into deeper layers of skin.
Reducing the Appearance of Scars
Scars on the face tend to have a more difficult time healing as they are exposed to the environment around them constantly. Whether scars have been caused by injuries, surgery, or burns, peels may be able to reduce their visibility. Since these peels are used to remove a layer of skin and expose a new layer, it is possible to lighten the appearance of the scar.
Deep peels are a common selection to treat scars due to their ability to go deeper into the layers of skin. Light peels may be used to lighten the appearance of minor scars. Our experts will examine your particular scar and determine which peel would be best for what you are hoping to accomplish. Though scars cannot be erased entirely, it is possible to reduce the visibility of them.
Treating Melasma
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes areas of the skin to be discolored. Also referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” this condition most commonly occurs in pregnant women. When it first appears, brown patches tend to pop up on the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, and areas of the body that are regularly exposed to the sun. If melasma develops on the face, it tends to be symmetrical to both sides.
The cause of melasma has been linked to a sensitivity to estrogen and progesterone. Birth control, hormone therapy, and even pregnancy can cause melasma to appear. Melasma may disappear on its own, typically in those who are pregnant or taking birth control, but if the condition worsens or does not fade, having a peel treatment can lighten and even out the skin tone.
Evening Out Skin or Reducing Redness
We all may want flawless skin, but most of us have redness, age spots, or even blemishes. Having uneven skin can leave a person feeling insecure and constantly wondering if the person they are in a conversation with is simply focusing on the imperfections. No one wants to live life that way. Choosing to get a facial peel can eliminate this insecurity, leaving you with smooth, even skin!
Uneven skin may occur due to lifestyle changes. While peels help reduce redness and even out the skin, making small changes can prevent the condition from returning. Before heading out in the sun, put on sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. Avoid eating and drinking certain foods that may agitate your condition and hydrate by regularly drinking water.
What Should You Expect From a Chemical Peel?
During a treatment session, these exfoliating peels are applied directly to your skin and will eventually peel off. As they peel off, the revealed skin underneath may be smoother, less damaged, and appear to have fewer wrinkles! Before receiving treatment, you will meet with one of our skincare experts to help determine which peel is the best for you. Make sure to inform us of any facial products or medications you take as we may ask you to avoid certain products before your treatment.
Following treatment, there is typically zero downtown, but there are some things to consider in terms of how to care for your skin. This may include specific instructions on washing and moisturizing your wash, along with which products you should avoid. After receiving treatment, give your skin time to adjust by limiting sun exposure and refrain from using makeup. If you have specific questions regarding recovering, we will be happy to provide you with answers.
What Are the Different Types of Chemical Peels Available?
There are three types of chemical peels aimed to target specific conditions: light peels, medium peels, and deep peels. Each peel brings its own specific benefits. Based on why you are seeking treatment, our experts will make a selection to treat the targeted areas. The difference between the three depends on the strength and the depth in which the peel can reach.
Light Peels
This treatment uses mild acids to gently exfoliate the skin. Light peels are typically used to treat mild conditions as these peels will only enter the outermost layer of skin, removing a thin layer. During treatment, we will apply the chemical solution to the area of skin and it will begin to whiten. Once the treatment is complete, the solution will be removed, revealing the new layer of skin! Full recovery from treatment typically occurs between four to seven days. During this time your skin may appear lighter or darker until it has completely healed.
Medium Peels
These peels make their way through the outer layer of skin to the middle layer, making this a more effective treatment for more damaged skin. Similar to a light peel, the chemical solution is applied to the targeted area of the skin, but medium peels use a slightly stronger solution. The treated area of skin will whiten until the treatment is complete. Recovery from a medium peel is typically five to seven days, but since this treatment goes deeper than the light peels, it may take more time before you will see the full results.
Deep Peels
These peels go deep into the middle layer of the skin to remove severely damaged skin cells. During the treatment, the skin will turn white or even gray before revealing the newer layer of skin. With its strength and depth, deep peels tend to heal after two weeks and full results will be visible in a few weeks following.
Who Is Considered a Good Candidate?
Any person wanting to have a healthier and more naturally youthful complexion is likely a good candidate to receive treatment! Those that have visible scars, acne, or any of the aforementioned reasons to get a chemical peel should seek treatment. Regardless of age or skin sensitivity, there is a chemical peel that will improve the look and feel of your skin, making generally any person a good candidate.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today!
If you have been considering getting a chemical peel to help rejuvenate your skin, we are here to help! Contact us today at Elements Rejuvenating Med Spa in Davenport, FL, to schedule your initial consultation. We are here to answer any questions you may have regarding our selection of peels based on your specific needs. We look forward to hearing from you.
