Chemical Peels
As you get older, a handful of visible blemishes and imperfections begin to appear on the surface of your skin. From fine lines and wrinkles to sun damage and acne scars, aging and lifestyle habits can cause your once youthful skin to look dull, uneven or aged. Fortunately, healthy, smooth and undamaged skin lies just below the surface of your complexion and can be revealed with a quick and minimally-invasive chemical peel treatment at ICALA Medical Aesthetics.
Chemical peels are among some of the most effective nonsurgical treatments for addressing common skin conditions and aging concerns. A chemical peel is a gentle skin resurfacing procedure that uses varying strengths of chemical solutions to exfoliate the damaged layers of the skin’s surface and reveal the smoother and more radiant skin beneath. Chemical peels will dramatically improve both your skin’s appearance and texture for a complexion that looks and feels younger and healthier.
What Concerns Can Chemical Peels Address?
Chemical peels are each uniquely formulated with varying degrees of strengths that are selected based on the degree of damage to your skin and the results you wish to achieve. The mildest peel option, known as a superficial peel, uses more gentle acid such as alpha-hydroxy or lactic acid to exfoliate just the surface layers of the skin. Medium to deep chemical peels utilizes stronger acids such as glycolic or trichloroacetic acid to penetrate deeper layers of the skin and remove more damaged layers.
At ICALA Medical Aesthetics, our selection of chemical peels can help you to address the following skin concerns:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne and acne scarring
- Uneven skin texture
- Discoloration or blotchiness
- Enlarged pores
- Melasma
- Sun-damaged skin
- Excessive oil production
Chemical Peels work equally well for any skin type and have few side effects and contraindications. During your initial consultation, Dr. Diaz and her experienced staff at ICALA Medical Aesthetics will assess both your concerns and aesthetic goals to help you decide if a Chemical Peel is the appropriate treatment for you.
What Happens During a Chemical Peel?
When you arrive for your chemical peel treatment at ICALA Medical Aesthetics, you will be made comfortable in a relaxing treatment room and your skin will be cleaned to remove any makeup, oil or debris before the chemical solution to be applied. Dr. Lilliam Diaz or a highly trained aesthetician will then apply the chosen chemical peel solution to your skin, and you will begin to feel sensations of warmth or mild stinging as the solution takes effect. After about 20 to 30 minutes when your treatment is complete, a soothing agent will be applied to your treated skin to inactive that chemical solution and aid in the healing process.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
For many patients, a single chemical peel treatment will improve the appearance and health of their skin significantly. However, to achieve your most optimal results, a series of treatments may be recommended depending on the depth and severity of your skin concerns. During your initial consultation, Dr. Diaz will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and establish the number of treatments you will need to achieve the results you want and expect.
A chemical peel may also be performed alone or in conjunction with other anti-aging treatments. For a comprehensive facial rejuvenation, many patients will choose to pair their chemical peel with injectable treatments such as Botox or dermal fillers to enhance their aesthetic results. A combined approach may be the best way for you to achieve the flawless and ageless complexion your desire.
What to Expect From Your Chemical Peel Recovery
The downtime needed for your recovery after your chemical peel will depend on the type and strength of the peel selected for your treatment. Superficial chemical peels require little, if any, downtime after their application. You may experience some residual redness, dryness or flaking for a few days after your treatment, but you can expect to resume your normal activities immediately after your appointment.
Medium to deep chemical peels will require a bit more downtime for recovery to allow your treated skin to heal. Most patients will need between five to seven days before residual side effects such as redness, dryness and swelling to subside completely. For the best possible results, it is essential that you follow any aftercare instructions provided by Dr. Diaz to ensure your skin heals properly.
Regardless of the strength of your chemical peel treatment, your skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure and UV rays, so you must establish a sun protection regimen and avoid direct sunlight on your treated skin for a few months following your treatment. Limiting direct sun exposure will help to prolong the results you achieve with your chemical and help to prevent any new skin damage from occurring.
What Results Can a Chemical Peel Achieve?
The results of your chemical peel are generally apparent after a few days after your skin has fully healed. The depth of your chemical peel treatment will determine how long your results will last, with superficial peels requiring more frequent touch-up appointments than medium to deep peels. After the healing process is complete, you will look years younger with glowing, vibrant and healthy-looking skin.
If you are looking to do more than merely cover up the blemishes that accompany aging and sun damage, look no further than a chemical peel treatment at ICALA Medical Aesthetics. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Diaz and rediscover fresh, healthy skin.
