Facial Treatment - What Chemical Peels Do

A regular facial treatment is important in maintaining the health and the youthful glow of the skin. However, for skin problems that cannot be eliminated by over-the-counter skin care products, it may be necessary to undergo a professional treatment. A chemical facial peel is one treatment that aims to free the skin of all the unpleasant problems.

Facial Treatment - Chemical Peels 101

Chemical peels are used to cause a minor burning on the skin, which hastens or stimulates the healing of the skin. This results in the skin looking healthier and younger. The chemicals burn the skin enough to activate the immune and defense system but not enough to damage the skin or to rejuvenate only the skin that has been damaged by the chemical peel.

The facial peel phenol is used for serious skin problems. A phenol peel can remove blotches, precancerous growths and coarse wrinkles. Anesthesia is sometimes used during the peeling procedure. Individuals who undergo phenol peeling have burned looking skin and must stay out of the sunlight for several weeks. The effects, however, lasts for a long time, and the procedure doesn't have to be repeated for a while.

Trichloacetic acid or TCA is a less severe chemical peel. Though it is not as effective as phenol peeling, TCA peeling can remove blemishes, blotches, discolorations, and pigmentation abnormalities. TCA peels can also smooth out scars and fine winkles. Individuals who undergo TCA peeling need only ten to twelve days to recover, and there's no risk for pigmentation on people with darker skin. However, precancerous growths, as well as deeper scars and wrinkles, cannot be removed by TCA peels.

Alphahydroxy peels are used for a lighter peel. Several sessions are needed for this treatment to achieve the desired effect. This type of chemical peel does not remove wrinkles, but can improve the look, texture, and health of rough, dry, or sun-damaged skin. These peels can also repair some blemishes and pigmentation. This type of peel is ideal for people whose skin problems are not serious, those who don't want to have to stay out of the sun and look burned, and those who are worried about the safety of using more intense peels. Alphahydroxy peels are the safest.