Chemical peels are another cosmetic procedure that has been around for centuries. They are very popular because there are no needles involved, and many people have a great fear of needles. Depending on the type of damage a person has to their face, they may consider a chemical peel to remove it. Chemical peels are an acid solution to remove the outer layer of skin. It works on blemished skin and smoothing out wrinkles. When suffering from uneven skin pigmentation, people can opt to have a chemical peel to help solve the issue.
When the issue to be worked on is not too severe, the cost of a chemical peel can be very attractive, starting at approximately $150 and up. Sun damaged skin can benefit from a chemical peel, as can blemish skin. Acne suffers can also benefit from chemical peels, which can remove acne blemishes or even acne scarring.
Facial chemical peels are not the same as a facial mask, you can do facial masks at home with simple ingredients such as mud or face sheets. A facial chemical peels are best to left up to professionals.
The most known are Facial chemical peels because it can be used as a cosmetic treatment. It uses a chemical solution to exfoliate the outer layers of skin, resulting in smoother, more even-toned skin.
I was very lucky to have a chemical peel done with diamond wands. It removed the dark area under my chin all the way done my neck, where I had missed over the years applying sunscreen. So I know for a fact that chemical peels can work.
Like any medical or cosmetic procedure, there are pros and cons to facial chemical peels.
Depending on who you talk to, freckles are either very attractive or something that needs to be removed. Chemical peels can help with freckling if this is a beauty issue that a person wants to resolve. Also, chemical peels can help reduce melasma, which is dark patches that can occur during pregnancy. Occasionally women will find these dark patches appearing around the eyes and attribute it to being overtired from carrying a child, but it can be melasma, and that can be permanent. **I was curious so while working on this post, I did more research on just what was melasma? The answer is below this article.
Please note that with all types of chemical peels, there will be sensitivity to sunlight.
So what are some of the real pros to have a chemical peel done?
1-Improved skin texture: Chemical peels can help to remove dead skin cells and promote the growth of new skin cells, resulting in a smoother, more even skin texture.
2-Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Chemical peels can stimulate collagen production, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3-Reduced pigmentation: Chemical peels can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots, sun damage, and other forms of hyperpigmentation.
4-Acne control: Chemical peels can help to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of acne.
When there are pros to have it done, there has got to be cons as well. So here you go!
1- Downtime: Depending on the type and strength of the chemical peel, there may be a period of downtime during which the skin may be red, swollen, and peeling.
2- Sensitivity: After a chemical peel, the skin may be more sensitive to sun exposure, so it’s important to take extra precautions to protect the skin. Depending on how strong the solution used, the doctor may ask a person to avoid direct sunlight for between 2-4 for months. This could be quite an issue depending on what region a person lives in. There is the possibility that the peel may have to be done multiple times to get the desired effect
3- Risk of complications: There is a risk of complications with any medical or cosmetic procedure, including chemical peels. Complications may include infection, scarring, and changes in skin pigmentation.
4- The biggest one has got to be cost: Depending on the type of chemical peel, the cost may be prohibitive for some people.
Deep chemical peels can be expensive, going all the way up to $6,000 a session. There will also be a longer healing time, and it is possible to experience permanent lightening of the skin. As well, some people report back that they have lost the ability to tan their skin. The overall effectiveness of chemical peels is limited. Chemical peels are not for sagging skin or extreme wrinkles.
It’s important to speak with a qualified medical or cosmetic professional to determine whether a chemical peel is right for you and what type of peel would be most appropriate for your skin type and concerns.
Added information – Check out this article all about Melasma
**The dark patches that can occur during pregnancy are called melasma. Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches to appear on the face, typically on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. Melasma is sometimes referred to as the “mask of pregnancy” because it is more common in pregnant women, but it can also affect women who take hormonal contraceptives or who have a family history of the condition.
Melasma occurs when the cells that produce pigments in the skin (melanocytes) produce too much pigment in certain areas of the skin. The exact cause of melasma is not known, but it is thought to be related to hormonal changes during pregnancy or from the use of hormonal contraceptives.**
Both Photos by Anna Shvets
