A peel is a cosmetic treatment which involves the application of an acid solution to the skin. The acids remove dead skin cells, causing the outer layer of skin to shed. This process can improve fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and sun damage.
When you have acne, it feels like you’ve tried everything. You may even have tried a skin peel or two with no success. But there are many reasons why you should try a skin peel if your skin is not showing improvement with other treatments. In this guide, we review the aspects of Benefits Of Using Skin Peel, disadvantages of chemical peel, benefits of chemical peel on black skin, and skin peeling on face side effects.
First, skin peels remove the top layer of dead skin cells and leave the underlying layers softer and smoother. This can help reduce acne scarring, which often results when acne is squeezed or picked at to get rid of it.
Second, peels help to reduce oil production by the pores. This helps to prevent new breakouts from forming because the pores will not be so clogged with oil.
Third, peels can also lighten dark spots that are left behind after acne is gone. These dark spots are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and they can make your skin look less clear than it really is. Peels can help them fade so your complexion appears more even and brighter overall.
Benefits Of Using Skin Peel
Skinl peels can improve the skin’s appearance. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.
Skin peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to:
- Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
- Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
- Improve the appearance of mild scars
- Treat certain types of acne
- Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills
- Improve the look and feel of skin
Areas of sun damage may improve after chemical peeling.
After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say “broad-spectrum” on the label, meaning it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Also, it should be a physical sunscreen and be above SPF 30. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Advantages of a Skin Peel?
Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are better candidates for chemical peels. If you have darker skin, you may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated. But you also may be more likely to have an uneven skin tone after the procedure.
Skin sags, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may need other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler (collagen or fat). A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for you.
disadvantages of chemical peel
Chemical peels are often deemed a good alternative to surgery when it comes to anti-ageing procedures, but as with any kind of facial treatment there are always risks. Here we explore the pros and cons of chemical peels to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Pro: It can reduce wrinkles
Chemical peels tend to slightly tighten up the skin in order minimise wrinkles. They’re a brilliant way to reduce fine lines around the mouth and crows feet near the eyes, without resorting to botox.
Con: It won’t work on very severe wrinkles (that’s a little confusing…)
Deep set wrinkles, such as significant lines on the forehead, are unlikely to be affected by a chemical peel since it is only designed to remove the top layer of skin and only has very minor skin firming effects. If you’re expecting to look 10 years younger after a chemical peel, we’ll have to be honest with you; you won’t. Be realistic and don’t waste money on a procedure that won’t work for you.
Pro: It can reduce uneven skin pigmentation
By removing only the top layers of skin, a chemical peel can reduce the appearance of age spots, freckles and dark patches and reveal the brighter skin underneath.
Con: It can cause uneven skin pigmentation (now we’re really confused…)
A chemical peel does exactly what it says on the tin; some pretty aggressive chemicals are used and sometimes they can do more damage to your skin than expected. They can temporarily or sometimes permanently remove skin pigmentation to leave lighter patches behind. People with lighter skin may not notice these effects as much as those with a darker skin tone, and some may not have any problems at all, but it is a common risk nevertheless.
Pro: It can make skin smoother and softer
By removing dead skin cells, a chemical peel can reveal new fresh skin that is smoother and softer than before. Skin can appear brighter and more youthful as a result, which is why chemical peels are so popular.
benefits of chemical peel on black skin
Chemical peels have become a go-to treatment to rejuvenate, resurface and revitalize the skin. However, for women and men with darker skin tones, the decision to get a chemical peel might not be so simple. Though chemical peels are FDA-approved and generally considered a safe treatment, they do require a qualified medical aesthetician who’s experienced in treating melanin-rich dark skin.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Chemical peels are one of the oldest aesthetic procedures to rejuvenate the skin — and when we say one of the oldest, we truly mean it. Chemical peels date all the way back to ancient Egypt, and while they’ve undergone rigorous clinical testing since, the procedure remains largely the same.
During a chemical peel, controlled substances are topically applied to raise the acidity of the skin from its baseline of a 5.5 pH level to a more acidic 3.8 pH level. Altering the pH level of the skin helps loosen dead skin cells and promotes the regeneration of new skin cells, so superficial skin layers are safely removed through exfoliation to reveal more radiant, healthy skin.
Do Chemicals Peels Damage Dark Skin?
There are numerous misconceptions about chemical peels for melanin-rich skin, the primary being that men and women with dark skin cannot undergo a chemical peel procedure. On the contrary, an individual with a darker skin tone can safely receive a chemical peel — but not necessarily with the same chemical formulation as an individual with a light or fair skin tone.
Skin tone is gauged by the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart, a commonly used system to describe how an individual’s skin would respond to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, as well as decide if they are a candidate for certain chemical peels and skincare ingredients used to resurface the skin. The Fitzpatrick Chart ranges from Type I to VI, with I as the fairest and VI having the most melanin.
Melanin-rich skin responds differently to temperature and chemical formulations than a fair skin tone (like Type I) would. Peels that penetrate the skin too deeply can produce heat that damages the melanocyte in Type V and VI skin, which can either remove the color from the skin or cause erythema that can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation like dark marks and scarring.
Dermatologist Approved Chemicals for Dark Skin
Though not all chemical peels are suitable for melanin-rich skin, there are dermatologist-approved chemicals for dark skin that successfully address acne, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. Our team of award-winning Physician Assistants and Medical Aestheticians assess each patient’s skin tone to decide on the ideal alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) chemical peel.
1. Glycolic Acid (AHA)
Glycolic acid is the most commonly used alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) peel, particularly for men and women with dark skin. Trusted for its safety and effectiveness, glycolic acid addresses skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring, and fine lines and wrinkles. Made from sugar cane, it’s generally a gentler chemical peel that is applied for three to five minutes.
2. Mandelic Acid (AHA)
Mandelic acid is also an AHA peel; however, it’s derived from bitter almonds and has about twice the molecule size of glycolic acid. A larger molecule size allows mandelic acid to penetrate the skin more slowly, which means it can feel less irritating to the skin than other AHA formulations. It’s ideal for acne-prone and congested skin, as well as for those with an uneven skin tone.
3. Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Salicylic acid is a popular beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that’s used as an active ingredient in many acne-fighting skincare products. Salicylic acid penetrates the skin quickly and acts as a deep cleanser to help remove debris and oil build-up from the pores. This chemical for dark skin helps men and women with oily skin types shed old skin cells and combat acne formation.
4. Lactic Acid (AHA)
Lactic acid is another AHA peel that performs similarly to glycolic acid and has been proven to be a safe and effective peeling agent for skin concerns among individuals with dark skin. Derived from soured milk, lactic acid is considered a top choice for sensitive skin types. It’s beneficial for treating skin concerns like mild hyperpigmentation, uneven or dull skin texture, and rosacea.
5. Citric Acid (AHA)
Citric acid derived from oranges and lemons is known for its brightening effects on the skin. A type of AHA peel, citric acid helps slow the formation of dark spots and sun spots. In particular, citric acid is known to improve signs of photoaging (when the sun prematurely ages the skin), various types of sun damage and acne scarring. This peel ingredient may be appealing to those who wish to revitalize mild to moderate pigmentation.
6. VI Peel
Alexandra Lovin, Senior Medical Aesthetician, recommends, “The VI peel is an excellent advanced peel, safe for all skin types.“ The VI Peel works to lift pigment and clear even cystic acne. With a combination of TCA, Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid and Retinoic Acid, this peel is strong enough to combat stubborn skin conditions while safe enough to treat dark skin. We recommend a complimentary skin consultation to assess how many VI Peels you will need to address your skin concerns, and make sure you are an appropriate candidate.
7. Cosmelan Peel
“Melasma can be one of the trickiest skin conditions to treat, often requiring anywhere from 4-8 peels. The Cosmelan peel is one of the only technologies that requires only one treatment to treat most melasma cases,” notes Lovin. We do not recommend it if the client has rosacea, very sensitive skin or active acne. The Cosmelan is safe for all skin types and should be performed once a year.
What to Avoid After a Chemical Peel
Chemical peels do not require extensive downtime; however, you should avoid sun exposure as much as possible as your skin is healing. Your skin may be temporarily more sensitive to the sun during the first week after your chemical peel procedure, so stay in the shade and keep the skin well hydrated. Likewise, avoid peeling and picking the skin after your peel, as you may induce scarring.
Why is Your Chemical Peel Provider Important?
If you’ve been battling skin concerns like acne, sun damage, fine lines, or aging, you may benefit from receiving a chemical peel — but chemical peels are far from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ procedure. Not all providers have the training to treat dark skin (or skin that’s higher on the Fitzpatrick Chart) and many are unaware of which chemicals for dark skin are suitable for a chemical peel procedure.
skin peeling on face side effects
After infection, the virus enters the nerve cells and travels up the nerve until it comes to a place called a ganglion. There, it resides quietly in a stage that is referred to as “dormant” or “latent.” At times, the virus can become active and start replicating again and travel down the nerve to the skin, causing sore outbreaks. The exact mechanism behind this is not clear, but it is known that some conditions seem to trigger recurrences, including
What is a chemical peel?
A chemical peel involves the application of toxic chemical solutions to the skin in a controlled manner, producing controlled tissue death. The desired depth of the wound is dependent upon the condition to be treated. After the peel, the skin regenerates. The damaged skin regenerates from deeper layers of the epidermis and from the superficial dermis.
What are the different types of chemical peels?
Chemical peels are broadly defined by the depth of damage in the skin that they produce. They are categorized as superficial (lunchtime peel), medium, and deep. Superficial peels do not damage skin below the epidermis, the most superficial skin layer. Medium peels may reach to the superficial layer of the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin. Deep peels generally reach the deeper layers of the dermis. The depth of damage depends on the nature and concentration of the chemicals in the peeling solution and the length of time they are permitted to interact with the skin. Popular chemicals in peeling solutions include retinoids (tretinoin dissolved in propylene glycol), alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic acid and glycolic acid), beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), trichloroacetic acid, and phenol (carbolic acid). Jessner’s solution, a combination of resorcinol (14 g), salicylic acid (14 g), and lactic acid (85%) in ethanol (95%).
What are the benefits of chemical peels?
If performed correctly in appropriate patients, the appearance of the treated skin will have a more youthful texture with a uniform coloration that will blend with their untreated skin.
Are at-home or over-the-counter chemical peels as effective as professional chemical peels?
As a rule, so-called over-the-counter peels do not damage the skin and therefore cannot produce the same sort of results that a peel performed by a physician is likely to achieve. On the other hand, they are safe products and are unlikely to produce any skin damage. The so-called “microdermabrasion” is similarly non-invasive.
Who is a good candidate for a chemical peel?
The most common candidate for a chemical peel is a person with sun-damaged skin, uneven pigmentation, and/or actinic keratoses. Sun damage results in fine wrinkling, skin thinning, sun spots (liver spots or solar lentigines, fine lines, freckles, age spots), and a precursor to skin cancers called actinic keratoses. Skin peels also treat acne scarring.
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Who should not get a chemical peel?
Individuals with darkly pigmented skin should be very cautious about having chemical peels. This is because there is a significant chance that the pigmentation of the newly healed skin will be substantially different from their current skin color.
What are risks, side effects, and dangers of chemical peels?
What are risks, side effects, and dangers of chemical peels?
The risks, side effects, and complications of chemical peels include scarring, infection, reactivation of herpes simplex infections, and a substantial contrast in coloration of the treated skin. All patients will have a recuperation period, the length of which depends upon the depth of the peel. Deep peels can result in substantial periods of healing on the order of weeks. Deep peels generally require extensive local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and occasionally general anesthesia, which carries its own risks.
How do specialists perform chemical peels?
Superficial peels rarely require anesthesia but are accompanied by a burning sensation when the solution is applied. This can be relieved by the application of cool compresses and fan-aided evaporation. Deeper peels often require extensive local anesthesia, systemic sedation, and rarely, general anesthesia. The peeling process begins with the application of a defatting solvent (acetone or alcohol), which is wiped uniformly over the area to be treated. The peeling solution is then applied for the appropriate time period and then halted by the application of a neutralizing solution. Doctors apply bandages to the treated area, and the patient goes home to convalesce. Recovery time depends on the type of peel and can last as long as months. Since peels are generally considered as cosmetic procedures most are not covered by standard health insurance policies.
How does one prepare for a chemical peel?
Often it is suggested to pretreat patients with tretinoin cream for a period prior to the peel. People who get cold sores (herpes simplex infections) should start on antiviral medications like acyclovir (Zovirax) one week prior to treatment and continue taking these for two weeks after therapy to prevent reactivation of cold sores. All patients should be encouraged to use high SPF sunscreens prior to and after peeling. Those with darker skin may also require pretreatment with hydroquinone preparations.