What Results Can be Expected?

Facial peel results can be quite dramatic depending on the type and strength of peel used. Mild facial peels like lactic and glycolic acids can be purchased for in home use, and these home facial peels are mild enough to be used several times per week. The results will be much less dramatic than a deep chemical facial peel done in a plastic surgeons office, but the related costs are much less as well.

While not all peals are created equal, they do all produce basically the same results, though to different extents. A facial peel may be used to:

• Lesson the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Remove acne blemishes
• Smooth out scarring such as acne scars or stretch marks
• Even out skin tone and blotchy patches
• Remove age spots

What are the Risks of a Facial Peel?

While an over the counter facial peel may be mild enough to be repeated several times per week, even a moderate chemical peel in a clinical setting will require more recovery time for the skin between procedures. Deep chemical peels can require a period of three to six months between applications.

There are risks and side effects associated with any type of facial peel. Deep chemical peels will have greater risks, but mild chemical solutions and dermabraision sanding can still have side effects. Some of those risks and side effects are:

• Redness and swelling of the treated area
• Peeling or flaking skin
• Changes in skin color and pigmentation
• Burning and stinging
• Scarring
• Infection
• Allergic reactions

It is always a good idea to consult with a medical professional prior to having any procedure that involves application of chemicals to the skin. Another important thing to remember is peeling or flaking skin should never be picked at. This can cause infection and debilitating scarring. The skin is in a healing process and must be allowed to heal naturally. Finally, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on home peels and doctors’ after care instruction on clinical procedures. The skin has just been traumatized and will require specific care to achieve the best possible results.

Related posts:

1. Facial Chemical Peels
2. Choosing a Home Chemical Peel
3. Chemical Peel Cost

What are Facial Chemical Peels?

A chemical peel is a procedure where a mild acidic solution is applied to the skin. The chemicals remove the outer layers of skin. It is basically a controlled chemical burn. Once the outer layer has been removed, the newer skin underneath is smoother and younger looking. Facial chemical peels are quite effective at removing wrinkles, blemishes and uneven skin tones.

Benefits of Facial Chemical Peels

Facial chemical peels provide almost instant results, though they are not permanent. The results of deep chemical peels can last much longer, up to several months. The cosmetic benefits of a chemical peel include:

• More youthful skin
• Wrinkle reduction
• Remove sun damaged skin
• Remove blemishes
• Even out skin tone and pigment differences

Associated Risks of Chemical Peels

Facial chemical peels do have certain risks involved. Some of those risks can be quite sever and devastating. To reduce those risks it is very important to follow all after care instructions completely. Chemical peel risks include:

• Stinging
• Burning
• Blanching of the skin
• Crusting or scabbing of the skin
• Scarring of the treated area
• Infection
• Swelling and redness
• Changes in the skin tone of the treated area
• Cold sores
• Flaking and peeling skin

It is very important to remember not to pick at scabs and peeling skin after a facial chemical peel. Scaring will occur. The skin needs to heal naturally to achieve the best results.

Facial chemical peels are suitable for anyone who is unhappy with their skin. This will include those with acne, blemishes, uneven or patchy skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles. Those with fair skin and lighter colored hair tend to achieve the greatest results. Dark skinned individuals also realize results, though not as dramatic.

Chemical peels are not to be confused with microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is actually a procedure that does not utilize any chemicals. Instead, the blemishes are sanded of using fine sand particles. The effects of microdermabrasion can be compared to those of mild facial chemical peels.

Related posts:

1. Facial Peels
2. Chemical Peel Cost
3. Choosing a Home Chemical Peel

Light Chemical Peel Cost

Light chemical peels usually cost between $150 and $300. This type of peel is usually performed with either: fruit acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid or salicylic acid. Light chemical peels tend to cost much less per treatment but each treatment must be repeated several times to achieve the best results. Four peels would then have an average cost of $600 – $900. The results will also not last as long with a light chemical peel as with say a deep chemical peel.

Medium Chemical Peel Cost

Medium chemical peels usually utilize trichloracetic acid to achieve the best results. This type of peel will typically have a cost of $1,000 to $2,000. Medium chemical peels produce results that will last from two to three months. The end result with a medium chemical peel will be much more dramatic than the results of a light peel.

Deep Chemical Peel Cost

A deep chemical facial peel can also be known as an advance peel or a phenol peel. This type of peel is only performed once and gives the most dramatic and longest lasting results. A longer recovery time is also required. This type of peel can also remove pre-cancerous growths in addition to removing sun damaged tissues, deep lines and coarse wrinkles. A deep chemical peel can cost anywhere between $2,500 and $6,000. Those costs usually include anesthesia and any follow-up care.

Insurance coverage

Since chemical peels are usually considered to be purely aesthetic in nature, the chemical peel cost is rarely paid for by insurance companies. The one exception to this rule is the use of chemical peels to treat pre-cancerous growths or treat some types of visible scarring. It is always a good idea to check with insurance companies to see which costs will be covered.

Is Financing Available?

Many cosmetic procedures are financed with bank loans. Chemical peels are often financed through established health care lenders. The clinic will have information concerning lenders who have made similar loans in the past. Many doctors will also allow patients with good credit histories to pay for chemical peel costs by making payments over several months.

Related posts:

1. Choosing a Home Chemical Peel
2. Facial Peels
3. Chemical Peel Side Effects

Burning or Stinging

The burning or stinging that many women report during treatment is a result of the chemical reaction that removes the outer layer of skin. In some cases, the chemical peel side effects of this burning sensation will last after the procedure has completed, though it is temporary. Most women describe this as more of a mild discomfort, if they mention it at all.

Redness of Treated Area

Redness is one of the most common chemical peel side effects. Temporary redness may affect the treated area. The degree of redness as well as the length of time it lasts is a direct result of the solution strength used. The stronger the solution strength, the more sever the redness and the longer it lasts. Some women experience no redness at all while others may experience extreme redness for up to four weeks.

Irritation and Slight Scabbing

Slight scabbing can develop on treated areas. This is a direct reaction of the skin to the acid that is used to remove the top layer of skin. Not all women will develop scabbing however it is a natural response of the skin to trauma.

Peeling or Flaking skin

Peeling and flaking is quite normal after a chemical peel, though it is usually quite minor and temporary. The important thing to remember here is not to pick and the peeling or flaking skin. Picking off the skin can result in scarring and infection. A fresher more youthful appearance will result if the skin is allowed to heal on its own.

Skin Color Changes

This is one of the most serious chemical peel side effects. Though rare, it is possible to develop hypo- or hyper-pigmentation. Hypo-pigmentation is a lightening of color on dark skinned women and hyper-pigmentation is a darkening of color on light skinned women. This is especially noticeable where untreated skin meets the treated skin. This condition has the ability to remain permanently.

Related posts:

1. Choosing a Home Chemical Peel
2. Facial Peels
3. Chemical Peel Cost

Choosing the Right Home Chemical Peel

• Lactic acid- is created from enzymes in milk. This type of home chemical peel is the mildest of the chemical peels. Lactic acid typically works the best on correcting hyper pigmentation. This is a good first time peel for all skin types including sensitive skin.
• Glycolic acid- is a harsher chemical peel than lactic acids; this type of home chemical peel is considered an alpha hydroxyl that only penetrates the epidermis. Glycolic acid is well suited for normal to oily skin in controlling acne and smoothing fine lines.
• Salicylic Acid- is considered a beta hydroxyl that is perfect for oily or acne prone skin. This type of home chemical peel is the first choice for blackhead control and may be used three to four times a week.
• TCA- This type of home chemical peel penetrated into the dermis to provide more dramatic and longer lasing results. TCA is used for acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, age spots, lip lines, scarring and discolored or patchy skin, thus producing a more effective peeling experience.

Risks and Side Effects of Chemical Peels

Though the at home chemical peels tend to be much more mild than the chemical facial peels used in professional procedures, there are still some risks and side effects that should be taken into consideration:

• Burning or Stinging: The burning or stinging is a result of the chemical burning that removes the outer layer of skin.
• Redness of Treated Area: Redness is the most common side effects and though it is temporary, redness can last as long as four weeks.
• Irritation and Slight Scabbing: Slight scabbing can occur as the newly exposed skin heals from the trauma associated with using a home chemical peel.
• Peeling or Flaking skin: Flaking and peeling skin is quite common. It is important to refrain from picking this skin to avoid scaring and infection.
• Skin Color Changes: One of the most serious side effects of a home chemical peel is pigmentation changes in the skin. This side effect could become permanent.
• Scarring: is permanent and can be devastating, especially on the face.
• Infection: can lead to tissue loss, scarring and hospitalization.

It is important to always remember to follow the manufacturer’s directions completely. Seek medical help if side effects become moderate.

Related posts:

1. Chemical Peel Cost
2. Chemical Peel Side Effects
3. Facial Peels