Skin Peels: What They Are and Why You Need Them
Is your skin feeling rough and looking dull? Make-up and serums can give the false illusion that your skin is smooth and glowing, but wouldn’t you rather it look that way naturally, underneath all the skincare products? Skin peels are a popular treatment that addresses common skin problems, using technology to “peel off” the dead and dull layers of the skin to reveal fresh, smooth, and radiant skin.
If you’re in the market for a peel, you have your options. Depending on which skin problems you want to address, such as fine lines, acne scars, or irregular pigmentation, as well as the severity of each, one peel might be better for you than another. The two most common peels are light chemical peels and micro laser peels. Read on to see how they work, what they do, and which one is right for you:
Light Chemical Peels
Alpha and beta hydroxyacid chemical peels erase fine lines and give the skin a smoother appearance within 1 to 3 treatments. Trained estheticians use up to 30% concentration, with salicylic acid being the preferred beta hydroxyacid (better for pores that are clogged as in blackheads and whiteheads), whereas alphahydroxyacids are better used on thickened and sun-damaged skin where breakouts are less a problem. Both alpha and beta hydroxyacids even out pigmentation irregularities. Light TCA chemical peels (including Obagi® Blue Peels) use trichloroacetic acid to more aggressively erase wrinkles and tighten the skin, minimize enlarged pores, and even pigmentation. As TCA is more aggressive in nature, recovery time is increased.
Micro Laser Peels
The MicroLaserPeel or “weekend” skin peel addresses conditions associated with sun damage and aging. As compared with microdermabrasion or light chemical peels, a MicroLaserPeel is a deeper treatment that precisely removes the outermost layers of skin, and treats wrinkles, scars, acne scars, keratoses, and irregular pigmentation. The treatment uses topical anesthesia in the office, and typically is repeated 2 to 4 times, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Healing takes 3 to 4 days and resembles a sunburn, with redness beginning to fade by the third day, and can be covered with makeup on the fourth day. Patients experience smoother, healthier, more vibrant skin, with a significant immediate change in skin texture and tightness. A MicroLaserPeel is the perfect step between microdermabrasion and more aggressive full laser resurfacing.
For more information on which skin peel is right for you call (480) 451-1700 or email Shapiro Skin Klinic.
