At Worcester Dermatology in Worcester, MA, we understand how important your skin health is to its appearance. For this reason, we offer a number of skincare treatments that will keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful, like chemical peels. While a chemical peel is a great way to exfoliate your skin and look and feel better, it is important to wait between treatment sessions. Here’s what you need to know about this safe, effective exfoliation method.
How Often Can You Get Chemical Peels?
You can generally expect it to be safe for you to get light peels monthly. Medium peels can be received safely every four to six months. A deep chemical peel should only be received once in a lifetime.
How Often Will I Need To Come in for Treatment?
How often you should come in for touch-up sessions depends on several factors, including the type of cosmetic concern you are treating and how severe your concerns are. You may need to come in monthly if you are treating enlarged pores. If you are treating fine lines and wrinkles, you may only need a touch-up session every six months or so. We can give you a better idea of how long you can expect your desired results to last during your initial consultation.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?
If you can follow a few preparation and aftercare guidelines, there is a good chance you will be considered a good chemical peel candidate. An initial evaluation is required to determine definitively whether this type of treatment is right for you. It is also required to determine what type of chemical peel is best for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Light Chemical Peels?
Light chemical peels typically are crafted with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids). This type of acid provides a number of benefits, including improving the appearance of the epidermis. You can generally expect to be considered a good fit for this type of chemical peel if you have mild cosmetic concerns. For example, you may be considered a good fit for this treatment if you are worried about enlarged pores or acne outbreaks caused by excess sebum production.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Medium Peels?
Unlike light peels, medium peels are typically crafted with TCA (trichloroacetic acid). This acid is basic enough to be safe for all skin tones and most skin types. At the same time, it is acidic enough that it can treat concerns that are moderate in nature. While a light peel only affects the epidermis, a medium peel also affects some of the layers of skin beneath the epidermis. You may be considered a good candidate for a medium peel if you want to correct:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Moderate sun damage
- Moderate lines and wrinkles
- Mild scarring
Who Is a Good Candidate for Deep Peels?
You may be considered a good candidate for a deep chemical peel if you have severe skin concerns. For example, this treatment may be used to remove pre-cancerous growth and treat severe sun damage. Furthermore, it can be used to treat deep wrinkles.
In the past, this treatment was performed with carbolic acid, otherwise known as phenol. Today, an erbium laser can be used to perform light, medium, or deep peels. When we evaluate your skin health and goals to determine which peel strength is ideal for you, we will also determine whether a laser or combination of acids will better help you achieve your goals.
What Preparation Steps Will I Need To Follow?
One of the most important preparation steps you will need to follow prior to your chemical peel is to keep your skin hydrated. For 72 hours prior to your treatment session, do not use any topical products that will dry out your skin.
Furthermore, you should drink plenty of hydrating fluids on the day of your treatment session. Additionally, you should not wear makeup in the 72 hours leading up to your treatment session. It is also extremely important that you wear at least an SPF 30 sun protectant.
How Will I Need To Care for My Skin After Treatment?
After your chemical peel, it is extremely important that you do not pick at your skin while it is peeling. The length of time it takes for your skin to peel after your treatment varies based on several factors, including your skin health and the strength of the peel you get. Regardless of how many days your skin has been peeling for, remember that picking at your skin will do nothing but delay your results and increase your risk of irritation and infection.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
How often you can get chemical peels depends on the strength of the peel. If you get an AHA peel, you can come in for treatment once per month. If you get a medium peel, you will need to wait approximately four to six months between treatment sessions. A deep chemical peel is a once-in-a-lifetime treatment. Contact us today at Worcester Dermatology in Worcester, MA to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about peels.
