Stretch marks are really frustrating and can make you feel self-conscious. But never fear, there is a solution! Chemical peels specifically designed for stretch marks are clinically proven to reduce the appearance of those pesky stripes.
In this article, we’ll consider chemical peel for stretch marks cost and chemical peel at home for hyperpigmentation.
Homemade Chemical Peel For Stretch Marks
Stretch marks – also known as striae – are bands of scar tissue that stripe the skin in areas where growth has outpaced the skin’s ability to stretch. They often begin bright red or pink and eventually fade to a silvery colour. Stretch marks occur when fatty tissue below your surface layer tears because you’ve grown too fast. These changes cause the connective tissues, such as collagen and elastin fibres, to break and leave marks. The probability of getting stretch marks depends on a variety of circumstances. When there is fast weight fluctuation, a person may be more susceptible to developing them depending on their skin type, hormone levels, collagen and elastin synthesis, heredity, and other factors (such as during pregnancy). Bodybuilders and marathon runners also experience this problem due to their rigorous training regimes.
How to prevent stretch marks from getting worse?
As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and more prone to developing deep lines. One of these is a stretch mark – which typically starts out as an irritating red or purple line on your stomach, buttocks, thighs, etc, where you’ve been stretching too much (often during pregnancy). Whatever their cause, there are some things you can do on your own to reduce their visibility, including using a moisturizer twice daily, quitting smoking (which worsens inflammation), drinking a lot of water, and always wearing sunscreen when spending a lot of time in the sun. Don’t forget to reapply every couple of hours!
What are the best ways for reducing stretch marks that already exist?
There is now hope to get rid of them. Chemical peels can help reduce the visibility and discolourations associated with these scars so that they don’t stand out as much, making it easier for you to feel confident again in any situation!
What are chemical peels?
Chemical peels work by using acids in order to remove the outer layer of old skin which results in new younger-looking healthy fresh skin. Levels for chemical peeling vary with different types of acids and strengths as to whether they will be a deep peel or a lighter peel. They all have one thing in common – removing dull surface level tissue so newer fresher, more radiant-looking tissues underneath will take their place.
For those who are unfamiliar, a chemical peel is one method for enhancing the look and feel of your skin. Chemical peels are typically done with glycolic acid or salicylic acid in order to exfoliate surface layers that may be dulling the complexion.
What chemical peels work the best on stretch marks?
Chemical peels for stretch marks have been used for years by both men and women to improve their skin and boost their self-esteem. Chemical peels are a simple method for removing the top layer of dry skin cells from our bodies and promoting the formation of new cells. The end result is smoother skin with less discoloration and scarring. The top three chemical peels for stretch marks are shown below.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid which is derived from the bark of Willow trees works by breaking down dead skin cells. This kills off bacteria and other microbes, as well as loosening up any damaged tissue to speed up healing time. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce redness and swelling during a breakout or after an injury.
Glycolic Acid
Sugar cane is the source of glycolic acid, a chemical exfoliator that can improve the skin by reducing wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and encouraging healthy new cell growth for stretch marks. Glycolic acid works by causing the top layers of your skin to become softer, allowing the tissue underlying to regenerate and seem smoother.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)
Trichloroacetic acid is a solution that reduces the visibility of stretch marks on your body by breaking down extra connective tissue. Stretch marks will gradually disappear thanks to the skin cells’ ability to regenerate after this chemical peel.
Who should get a chemical peel to fade stretch marks?
If you’re looking for something new to try to help in reducing the appearance of your stretch marks, don’t be afraid of a chemical peel. The Fitzpatrick Scale helps determine the right level of intensity and recovery time required by your skin type.
The Fitzpatrick skin type scale is a classification system for how much melanin pigment is in an individual’s skin. The higher the number, the darker the person’s skin will be and can make peels riskier.
The six different skin types of this scale are: I) – light, pale white; II) white, fair blonde hair & blue eyes with freckles; III) medium white, “red” or Irish ancestry who have never tanned in their lives but do not burn easily; IV) olive tone, darker than Type III); V) light brown, rarely burns; VI) dark brown, deeply pigmented.
Preparing the skin for a chemical peel is an important step in ensuring that your treatment will have bright, fresh, and healthy-looking results – no matter your skin type. Even the most delicate skin will be strengthened, the healing process will be sped up, and hyperpigmentation will be avoided. Preparation may include adding products containing Tyrosinase inhibitors to your routine to control the amount of pigment being released by your melanocytes, Vitamin A to aid in cell turnover and help with resurfacing, and SPF – to protect the skin being treated and prevent future sun damage.
When should you start getting a chemical peel?
The surface of your skin is very sensitive and can easily be damaged if subjected to harsh chemicals without the correct care and application. Peels help in fading scars, wrinkles, and more! But these treatments need some time before you see results so it’s best not to do them during peak summer months when sun exposure might undo their effects. Remember SPF, SPF, and SPF year-round for the best results!
What is the difference between an in-salon chemical peel and at-home treatments when treating stretch marks?
Stretch marks occur in the deep dermal layers of the skin which means at-home treatments will only be scratching the surface – the difference between an at-home product versus an in-salon treatment comes down to the strength of the product. What you are able to purchase over the counter is of cosmetic strength which can only target the outer surface of the skin while beauty therapists and dermatologists are trained to perform treatments using cosmeceutical or cosmedical strength products which are full of active ingredients that are able to pass through the epidermis and act deep within the dermis!
An in-salon chemical peel is also more intensive because you are being looked after by a skin professional! Someone who is an expert when it comes to the skin and will give you the best results possible with correct preparation, treatment and aftercare.
Knowing What Works and What Doesn’t
First and foremost, be wary of any cream or ointment claiming to heal stretch marks. While keeping skin moisturised and supple may be helpful in preventing stretch marks, a moisturizer is not able to reach below the surface of the skin to eliminate scarring and heal broken collagen and elastic fibres.
Chemical Peel For Stretch Marks Cost
The cost of a chemical peel varies depending on the type of peel you want. The lightest chemical peel may be available for as little as $150, but as the lightest peel does not impact the dermis, the treatment will have little to no effect on the appearance of stretch marks.
For the deepest, most aggressive chemical peel, you will likely need to be put to sleep with an anesthetic, and this will significantly increase the cost of the procedure. On average, the cost of a deep chemical peel is around $6000.
When undergoing anesthesia for a cosmetic procedure, you should seriously weigh the benefits against the risks. While uncommon, the side effects of anesthesia can result in brain damage or death. Additionally, the more aggressive chemical peel treatments carry some risk of infection or scarring as a result of the procedure.
One significant disadvantage of a chemical peel is the long recovery period. Skin is visibly damaged by a chemical peel and will appear dark red for days or weeks before scabbing over, and it can take months for skin to completely heal after a deep chemical peel.
Chemical Peel At Home For Hyperpigmentation
1. Best Tranexamic Acid Serum For Hyperpigmentation
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%
AMAZON
Tranexamic acid is typically a well-tolerated ingredient when it comes to fading unwanted hyperpigmentation and preventing new dark spots from forming. Naturium’s Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% gives you a potent concentration of the active ingredient, while other effective brightening ingredients like kojic acid, licorice root extract, and niacinamide bolster the acid’s skin-evening effects.
2. Best AHA Serum For Hyperpigmentation
Honest Beauty Resurfacing Serum
AMAZON
Honest Beauty’s Resurfacing Serum combines three AHAs to target unwanted hyperpigmentation: Glycolic, lactic, and citric acids. Additional ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe leaf juice all work to soothe and hydrate skin, while niacinamide offers double the skin care benefits by helping to treat hyperpigmentation and calm inflammation. At less than $25, it’s a great entry point into the world of chemical exfoliants. For best results, use it at night and don’t forget to apply sunscreen the next morning (as is the case with any AHA product).
3. Best BHA Exfoliant For Hyperpigmentation
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
AMAZON
Among the 40,000-plus five-star ratings on Amazon, you’ll find dozens of reviews that specifically mention how helpful Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is when it comes to treating hyperpigmentation. The tried-and-true formula uses a 2% concentration of salicylic acid to clear out congested pores and exfoliate dead skin cells, while green tea extract soothes and provides antioxidant protection. Because of salicylic acid’s pore-clearing benefits, this is a great choice if your primary skin concerns are hyperpigmentation and acne or blackheads.
Though it doesn’t have nearly as many Amazon reviews, the brand’s Discoloration Repair Serum, which features tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and bakuchiol extract, is another solid pick for treating hyperpigmentation.
4. Best Exfoliating Mask For Hyperpigmentation
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength Exfoliating Mask
AMAZON
If you like to use the occasional skin-pampering mask, Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Peel Full Strength Exfoliating Mask gives you a powerful chemical treatment in just 10 minutes. AHAs in the form of malic, glycolic, and lactic acids combine with the BHA salicylic acid to slough away dead skin cells and even out your skin. Bakuchiol and vitamin C give you more skin-brightening benefits, and aloe leaf juice, grape seed extract, and glycerin help with hydration. Though the mask is formulated with mostly naturally derived ingredients (many of which are organic), it still has the potential to cause irritation. Because of this, the brand suggests doing a patch test on your arm before putting the mask on your face.
5. Best Splurge
Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
AMAZON
This multi-purpose treatment can be used as a leave-on serum morning or night, or as a 15-minute mask that you rinse off if your skin is hyper-sensitive. Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is a cult favorite for its ability to improve the clarity and texture of your skin, while still being pretty gentle. In addition to the AHA lactic acid, licorice root extract works to brighten skin and fade unwanted hyperpigmentation, while soothing and hydrating ingredients like squalane, arnica, aloe leaf, and prickly pear keep the formula balanced. It offers both immediate and long-term benefits, and has a lightweight texture that layers under other products beautifully.