5 Reasons Why Chemical Peels Are so Beneficial

If you want smooth wrinkle-free skin, you’ll want to consider getting a chemical peel, the latest cosmetic procedure that is sure to give your skin a glowing appearance. Dr Jeffrey Klein and his team at Hutton Klein Dermatology located in San Juan Capistrano, California, work closely with our patients to provide treatments that are right for them. Here’s what they want you to know about mild to medium chemical peels.

The 5 reasons chemical peels are for you

 Here are the top five reasons why a chemical peel may be the best option for you and your skin:

1. Reduce wrinkles

The most common reason patients get chemical peels is to reduce fine lines and wrinkles that appear due to aging. The peel can be applied to the face, neck, or hands. For a superficial chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to blister. Eventually the outermost layer peels away, and the dull outer layer is replenished with the smoother, more youthful skin below. 

2. Remove dark spots 

A medium chemical peel can also help reduce or remove age spots, freckles, and dark patches to even out the pigmentation of your skin. While a light chemical peel only reaches the epidermis (the outermost skin layer), a medium chemical peel reaches the superficial layer of the dermis, the layer just underneath. The result is a cleaner, more even skin tone. 

3. Minimize acne scars

A superficial or medium chemical peel can help remove acne scars. The peel serves as an exfoliator by removing dead skin cells on the surface. The removal of the outer layer promotes your skin’s ability to produce collagen, a structural protein, which helps fill in your acne scars. A good peel will even unclog pores to help prevent future breakouts from occurring.

4. Reduce sun damage

Chemical peels remove wrinkles and spots created by sun damage. Exposure to UV rays from the sun accelerates the appearance of aged skin; a superficial chemical peel can reverse those effects to create a more youthful appearance. 

Recovery

Following the procedure, your skin will have to go through a recovery process. It will be more vulnerable to sunlight, and therefore must be protected until it is completely healed. The depth of the peel will determine how long it will take your skin to heal.  A superficial chemical peel can heal in one to seven days. A medium chemical peel will heal within a few weeks. 

Good candidates

You’re typically a good candidate if you have lighter skin. If you have darker skin, you can still benefit from a chemical peel, but it may cause discoloration and uneven pigmentation after the treatment. The chemical peel also doesn’t help with skin sags, severe wrinkles, or deeper scars. 

Risks

Chemical peels come with a set of risks depending on your skin. They can cause permanent darkening or lightening of your skin. They can also lead to scarring and infection, and they can even reactivate the herpes zoster virus. 

If you think chemical peels are right for you, or if you want more information, please call our office at 949-248-1632 or book an appointment online.