Chemical Peel Treatments

What does it take to have a beautiful face? Aside from total reconstruction through surgery, it could also take peeling the skin's outer layer to have a face that's free of scars or any form of blemish.  This procedure is what is known today as chemical peel treatment.  Unlike plastic surgeries that take hours, a chemical peel treatment normally takes only minutes. Depending on your special needs, the formula used for this type of cosmetic treatment varies. For this reason, it is highly advised that you consult with a licensed specialist first to aid you decide on what kind of formula will be best for you.

Before you say yes to a chemical peel treatment, there are a couple of things you need to know. First of all, chemical peel treatments do not guarantee the same results as a face lift but greatly help in getting rid of pimple scars, preventing pre-cancerous growths on skin, and controlling the spread of acne. Other things you need to know about this cosmetic procedure are its risks. The truth is that although it usually safe and easy, there's still is a possibility that you'll suffer from infections and scars. As such, choosing the right chemical peel treatment for you and the best cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure would be the foremost precaution in having a renewed facial appearance. Generally, there are three kinds of solutions available for chemical peel treatments: AHA (alphahydroxy acids), TCA (trichloroacetic acid), and phenol peels.

AHA Peels
AHA peels use lactic, fruit, or glycolic acids in producing a milder formula for facial care solution.  Although it may require more sessions, this chemical peel treatment is perfect for patients who expect faster recovery.  AHA peels have a smoothing effect on rough skin and are effective in reducing wrinkles, treating dryness as well as curing acne and skin pigmentation problems. It normally takes 10 minutes for a cosmetic surgeon to conduct the entire procedure without anesthesia.  However, expect temporary inconvenience from dryness, redness, and skin flaking following this chemical treatment.  One of the best things about the AHA peel treatment is that its side effects won't keep you from performing your usual activities.

TCA Peels
For a finer-looking skin with less visible wrinkles and superficial blemishes, TCA peels may help treat skin pigmentation problems. This chemical peel solution often requires a pre-treatment solution through AHA or Retin-A creams.  It normally takes up to 15 minutes to apply the TCA peel, which also works on other areas such as the neck.  You may suffer from a mild stinging sensation at first, but this minor inconvenience is tolerable and disappears as you proceed with the treatment. Depending on your case, your doctor may opt to adjust the depth of surface peeling, which may take more than a session. Mild swelling and discomfort are just some of its initial side-effects, but after a week, you may already be able to revert to your day-to-day activities. Although this type of chemical peel treatment guarantees smoother skin with rejuvenated glow, the effects are not as permanent as those from a phenol peel.            

Phenol Peels
Phenol peels offer a more aggressive form of treatment as the skin produces less pigments as an after-affect.  The procedure normally takes at least an hour, while recovery usually lasts for more than a month. The thing with this chemical peel solution is that it is not advised for darker-toned patients as well as people with heart ailments. A throbbing sensation may be felt during the treatment, but a pain reliever is typically given to ease your discomfort. You will also experience redness all over the face, which will eventually subside after a couple of weeks.  As with similar facial treatments, you have to shield your face from sun exposure through the use of sunblock and other prescribed creams.  Not only do phenol peels get rid of pre-cancerous growths and freckles sprawled all over you face, but their effects are also longer-lasting.