Types of Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a popular cosmetic procedure that has been performed on people for hundreds of years. Since the times of the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, they have been used to help achieve a smoother and more youthful, glowing skin complexions. Today, in modern times, chemical peels have become so popular because they can offer almost immediate results and can be performed either at home or at your dermatologist's office. If you are someone looking to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, dark spots, sun damage or uneven skin pigmentations, a chemical peel may be a great choice.

For someone who has never done or heard of one before they might want to know what they are and what type is best for them. A chemical peel is a solution containing some form of acid that is applied to the skin and removes the damaged or discolored top layer of skin. It will usually be administered as a facial, but also can be used on other parts of the body such as the neck, chest, and back. It is available in different chemical solutions of different strengths. Strength and solution should be chosen based on skin type and imperfection.

Light Chemical Peels

A light or mild chemical peel will be used to treat very fine wrinkles, dry or dehydrated skin, slight pigmentation imperfections and acne. A light chemical solution usually is usually made up of glycolic acid, lactic acid salicylic acid or other alpha hydroxyl acids. These are best for a person who wants the benefits of one without a lot of recovery time

Medium Chemical Peels

With a medium chemical peel, you or your doctor may want to use a TCA peel. This type consists of trichloroacetic acid and it works better for deeper wrinkles and more severe pigmentation issues. TCA peels are the preferred choice for those with darker skin. Another type of medium peel is called a Jessner's peel. This peel is excellent for post acne hyperpigmentation and sun damage. It contains a combination of Lactic acid, Salicylic acid and resorcinol that can improve most skin imperfections greatly. Medium peels will have less recovery time than a deep peel but will induce more peeling that a mild peel also it can be performed by professionals or at home.

Deep Chemical Peels

The deep chemical variation is the strongest one and should only be done by a dermatologist or professional facial technician. There are many chemical solutions that can be used in a deep peel. There are ones that have glycolic acid and salicylic acid just like the milder ones, but the acid content is in higher concentrations. There is also a deep chemical variation called the fusion peel that is a mixture of different acids to promote a deep effect. This type may produce the most dramatic results, but they require the most healing time. It can cause lightening of the skin and if done incorrectly may cause scarring or burns. If you are going to do a deep chemical peel, get some advice from your dermatologist or skin care technician first.

Jessica A. Elizabeth is a professional writer and editor available for hire. Visit her website at http://www.jessicamousseau.com.

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