Should You Get a Glycolic, Salicylic, or TCA Peel?
Ever wish you could remove the outermost layer of your sun-damaged, acne-prone, line-filled skin to reveal a clearer, more youthful appearance? You might find the solution you've been looking for in chemical peels. Chemical peels are known as the key to glowing skin because they saturate the skin with exfoliating acids to rejuvenate and revive dullness (among other skin issues). Nevertheless, there are some details about chemical peels that you should be aware of, including your options, the skin types they are intended for, and any possible side effects.
What Are Chemical Peels, Exactly?
A chemical peel is a procedure in which the skin is treated with a chemical solution, typically an acid, and then removed after a predetermined amount of time. The solution penetrates the skin's outermost layers, enabling the peel to reach a certain depth. New skin cells grow in their place as the old ones peel off naturally. Peeling off sun damage, smoothing the skin, and even treating acne.
What Are the Advantages of a Chemical Peel?
The advantages of chemical peels for the skin are numerous.
Prevents acne: Chemical peels help with acne because they lower the pH of the skin, making bacteria uncomfortable and unable to survive. They are suitable for most types of acne. They aid in the removal of surface skin debris, resulting in a healthier complexion with fewer clogged pores.
Improves the efficacy of other skincare products: Because peels remove the top layer of skin, they're able to help other products you put on your skin penetrate deeper. This is especially helpful if you're pimple-prone and are slathering on acne treatments.
Refines fine lines and wrinkles: A peel will help to remove dead skin that has settled into fine lines, making them less visible A medium-depth peel will help the most with wrinkle refinement.
Reveals clearer, glowing skin: chemical peels remove the flaky, irregularly-attached dead skin cells from the face, leading to a compact stratum corneum that reflects a beautiful glow. In addition, there is a slight inflammatory component that may occur, and this creates a collagen boost when healed.
Lightens melasma, sunspots and acne marks: The exfoliative effect of chemical peels results in a more even distribution of melanin, and new collagen thus improving pigmentary skin conditions such as melasma, acne, PIH, or scarring
Types of Chemical Peels
There are three basic kinds of peels, and they are all acid-based.
Glycolic Peels
A glycolic peel may be your best option if you want to brighten up the age-related dullness of your skin. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps to gently exfoliate the outer layer of the skin. It is one of the mildest peels and is great for treating acne, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage on the skin. They penetrate the top layer of skin, sloughing off dead skin cells.
Salicylic Peels
Do you have acne-prone skin? Salicylic acid is a BHA that's effective at targeting the oil glands. This type of peel is great for someone with congested, acne-prone skin, as salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it penetrates deep into your pores to clear congestion. Additionally, it can get rid of accumulated oils that result in comedones (aka whiteheads and blackheads). Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory qualities that can soothe inflamed breakouts.
TCA Peels
TCA peels are medium-depth peels that penetrate deeper than glycolic or salicylic acid peels, making them a good choice for those with scarring or pigmentation issues. TCA peels can help with minimizing fine lines, sun damage, and acne scars. It's not ideal for those with overly sensitive skin. They can yield fantastic results, but there must be recovery time because your skin will peel for at least a week.
Do Chemical Peels Have Side Effects?
Depending on the strength of the peel you get, some chemical peels will cause the face to actually peel. Oftentimes, this is the desired effect in order to achieve optimal results—hence the name. Downtime with peels is dependent on the type of peel being done, and peels vary in the depth to which they penetrate the skin. The deeper the penetration, the more skin peels and the more the skin turns pink or red.
Live in Kelowna? Book a Complimentary Consultation to determine if a Chemical Peel is the right treatment for you.
