Chemical peels can improve many different types of skin conditions including scarring from acne, skin pigmentation issues, and uneven skin surface caused by sun and aging. Chemical peels can also help reduce fine wrinkles, brighten up dull or weathered skin, freckling skin, reduce brown spots. 

A chemical peel is a great first step to improving your skin without surgical intervention. You can choose from different options depending on your need. Basically, a chemical peel removes the dead skin cells and the damaged outer layers of your skin. A chemical solution smoothens or evens out the outer layer and causes it to peel. A peel helps enhance your overall look because the outer damaged skin layers are removed.

A Mild Peel is one in which only the superficial skin layer is removed. This is the common type of chemical peel and is generally recommended for most skin types. It is most commonly used to treat simple acne and pimple scars or smoothen skin pigmentation problems. The chemical peel is basically a diluted acid solution which is applied on the skin for a few minutes (2-4 minutes). It is neutralized with water after that and the face is wiped clean. A cooling mixture may be applied if there is any discomfort or burning sensation experienced.  This peel results in a smoother and brighter-looking skin almost immediately.

A Medium Peel is one in which the acid or chemical goes beyond the superficial layer of the skin. After the treatment, you may experience a sun-burned look. The skin may also look a bit chafed. In this peel, the chemical solution is kept on the skin longer than in the mild peel. This peel is most recommended for people who have significant sun-damaged skin types, heavy wrinkles, and greater skin pigmentation problems.

A Deep Peel and one that is rarely used goes through several skin layers. It is used to treat pigmentation problems and wrinkles and other issues. A deep skin peel takes longer time, more than an hour in many cases and does produce more dramatic results but also requires far significant recovery time. Deep peels are not recommended in most cases as they can also have severe skin complications.
 
To get started then, a mild chemical peel is the best option. Call our office today and schedule a free consultation with our medical aesthetician to see if a chemical peel is for you.

Two of the most popular skin resurfacing procedures are chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments. Both are effective in exfoliating the skin and reducing the effect of sun,stress, and other damage to the skin. Both cannot be done together because the skin would essentially be stripped of its top layer of cells twice.

But which one should you go for?

So let's look at Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels both to see which may fit your needs best.

Microdermabrasion is great for skin imperfections like acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots. Chemical peels are best for a bit more serious skin issues such as wrinkles and scars. Chemical peels can be mild or strong and may require anesthesia if strong because you can experience some discomfort.  Microdermabrasion on the other doesn't hurt and comes in one strength or flavor.
 
A stronger chemical peel may require some down-time. Glycolic peels are the mildest and require no down-town. Phenol pills are strong and require a few days of downtime to a few months of recovery from redness and swelling on the face. Microdermabrasion recovery is quick, within hours.

Microdermabrasion doesn't have any real side effects. You may experience some redness but that fades within a few hours. But chemical peels can cause burns, scarring, and swelling.

Mild and medium chemical peels can be scheduled once every six weeks for as long as you feel the need but stronger peels like Phenol peels are only done once. Microdermabrasians should be scheduled every two weeks for about 8-12 treatments to get the most benefit.