Whether it’s someone we know personally, or whether it was just a celebrity in the news, we all know someone who has gotten a chemical peel. Although for as often as we hear about chemical peels, it turns out we don’t know all that much about them.
It’s because of this that we wanted to give a quick rundown about chemical peels. We want to help separate some of the facts from the fiction and hopefully provide some insight into this highly prevalent, but highly misunderstood practice.
Fact or Fiction: I’m putting a harsh, man-made chemical on my face.
Fiction! While it’s true that there is a “chemical” you’re putting on your face, it’s less like a harsh corrosive chemical made in a lab and more like utilizing the power of naturally occurring acids found in things like fruit.
Fact or Fiction: The chemical will make the skin peel from my face.
Fiction! It’s understandable that this is a fear since the word peel is half of the phrase “chemical peel” but the reality is not all chemical peels result in your skin peeling, sometimes the results happen at such a cellular level that you don’t see any peeling at all!
Fact or Fiction: My co-worker’s skin peeled after treatment, so mine will too.
Fiction! Everyone has different skin. Therefore, everyone’s skin reacts to a chemical peel differently. You’ll even find out that sometimes your own skin reacts differently from peel to peel. Just because someone you know peeled a lot from their treatment doesn’t mean you will too.
Fact or Fiction: I can schedule a chemical peel during my lunch break at work.
Fact! Our paramedical esthetician, Alli Hare performs Jessner’s peels and TCA peels with each appointment lasting only 20 minutes in length. This appointment time includes not only the procedure but also the pre and post-procedure meetings. This means you can easily schedule a chemical peel before work, during lunch or the morning before your weekend.
Fact or Fiction: Chemical peels are the same across the board.
Fiction! There are a couple of different chemical peels that you can have. Deep, Medium-depth and Superficial. Deep peels aren’t performed very often because of the toll it takes on the skin. When people think of the stereotypical red-faced victim of chemical peels, they are usually thinking of deep peels that involve an ingredient called phenol. Medium-depth peels penetrate quite deep into the skin, but the side effects are not as intense. Superficial peels are the most common form of chemical peels done. Don’t let the name fool you, superficial chemical peels are extremely effective and can provide noticeable results without unappealing side effects.
Fact or Fiction: Chemical Peels are a great way to give my face a refresh and bring out my youthful look!
Fact! Despite a history of harsh chemicals and red faces, modern chemical peels are safer and more effective than ever. The downtime has been greatly reduced, the side effects are shorter-lasting and manageable, and the results are eye-popping.
If you want a time-tested way to reduce wrinkles, clear up your skin and bring out a more youthful you, chemical peels are a great way to make that happen. There are many more questions that come up when it comes to chemical peels, and the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center is ready to answer them for you.