Chemical Skin Peels
Glycolic, TCA
Rejuvenation Treatment
Chemical peels are acidic solutions applied to your face to smooth the surface of your skin, improve your skin tone and color, diminish wrinkles and shrink blood vessels and pore size. The effects can be as strong as some lasers. Peel solutions typically contain one of the following exfoliating agents, in order of potency: alpha hydroxyl acid (glycolic acid), beta hydroxyl acid (salicylic acid), tricholoracetic acid (TCA) or a phenol.
Alpha Hydroxy Peels (AHA)
Although alpha hydroxy peels are offered over the counter they do not posses the same concentration levels as those available to plastic surgeons. This peel works by causing several of the top layers of skin to dry up and to peel off over a period of several days. When the old layer has peeled off, it exposes a new layer of undamaged skin which has a smoother texture and more even color. AHA peels can be of many different depths. It can be very superficial, causing some flaking of the skin for 1-2 days, or they can be deeper, taking up to 7-8 days to heal. The more superficial peels can normally be performed without having to miss any time from work but because they are lighter, they usually require a series of several peels in order to achieve the best results. AHA peels are usually recommended on those who want little to no down time and because AHA peels usually do not permanently lighten the skin they are recommended for darker skin patients.
Beta Hydroxy Peels (BHA)
ACPS offer the BioMedic MicroPeel® Plus which uses Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxyl acid, to slogh off dead cells and debris while stimulating the skin’s natural renewal processes. The BioMedic MicroPeel® was designed for patients who want to refine skin texture damaged by environmental factors and skin conditions such as acne. This treatment is offered in two concentrations allowing you to tailor your treatment to fit your skin type and long-term goals. Depending on the concentration used you may or may not experience some peeling. If peeling occurs, it usually begins 2-4 days following your treatment and lasts for approximately three days. Like our AHA peels, this is a lighter peel that usually requires a series of treatments two to six weeks apart, depending on skin type. The advantage of the BioMedic MicroPeel® Plus is the extensive research done by La-Roche-Posay to develop additional products for Long Term Maintenance of your investment.
Obagi Blue Peel
The Obagi Blue Peel is a far more aggressive peel than either the Alpha Hydroxy or the Beta Hydroxy. It is a one to four step application of blue solution mixed with TCA (Trichloracetic Acid). These applications will lead to the removal of thin surface layers of aged and damaged skin. Layers of dead skin cell exfoliate and are replaced by healthier ones allowing the skin’s own clarity and tightness to resurface.
The Obagi Blue Peel is indicated for anyone with blemish-prone skin, wrinkles, pigmentation problems, sun damage, general poor skin quality or those who wants to reverse the appearance of the aging process. Unlike Alpha & Beta Hydroxy peels, the OBAGI Blue Peel uses a slow-acting TCA (trichloroacetic acid) solution applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new skin cells. Since TCA is not absorbed through the skin, there are no internal toxic effects. The slow action of the OBAGI Blue Peel solution enables your doctor or qualified technician to control the peel process and its depth. It tightens the skin, reduces wrinkling and renews a more youthful appearance. The OBAGI Blue Peel is safe for all skin colors and thickness.
What you should expect: This is a one time application not a series of treatments. You may experience a mild burning sensation that lasts 2 to 3 minutes. This sensation is not so strong that sedation is indicated but if you know you have a low pain tolerance please discuss this with you technician. After the peel has been washed off a bluish tint remains on your skin: it will usually wash off in 12 to 24 hours. Your skin will begin to peel within 2 to 3 days and should be healed in an average of 7 to 10 days. This peeling should not disrupt your regular lifestyle.
TCA Peel
This is the deepest peel and is only done by a doctor and is not part of ancillary or spa treatments. TCA = Trichloracetic Acid. This procedure removes the top layer of skin allowing healthier underlayer to come to the surface. Please ask for more information about this deep skin peel.
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- Dr. Paul Fortes
