About the Chemicals Used in Facial Peels

Facial peels using chemicals are a popular way to improve the appearance of skin. Many facial peels are simple enough to be performed on a lunch hour and require little recovery time. Chemical peels are an alternative for those who find plastic surgery to be too invasive.

The Facts

The skin is made up of two layers, the epidermis and the dermis. Chemicals used in facial peels work by removing the top layers of damaged skin revealing the undamaged layers of skin underneath. Mild chemical peels will remove layers of the epidermis while some of the stronger chemicals will reach the dermis. During the consultation, a doctor will need to determine how deep skin damage is in order to choose the proper chemicals for the facial peel.

Function

Facial peels are used to restore skin's youthful appearance by removing the signs of sun damage, age spots, scarring and wrinkles. Chemical peels are less invasive than surgery and require a much shorter recovery time. Chemical peels are usually done for cosmetic reasons, although they can sometimes be used to remove pre-cancerous skin growths.

Types

The chemicals used in facial peels vary in strength depending upon the severity of the skin damage being treated. Mild chemicals used in facial peels are known as alpha hydroxy acids and include glycolic, lactic and fruit acids. These acids will peel away the layer of epidermis. This type of acid is generally used to treat dry or rough skin and applications can be repeated weekly. Trichloroacetic acid or TCA is slightly stronger and will remove more of the epidermis than the milder chemicals. This chemical is used to treat fine lines, moderate sun damage and uneven pigment. The phenol chemical peel is the strongest peel and is used to remove deep wrinkles, scarring, intense discoloration and pre-cancerous growths on the skin. This facial peel might take one to two hours to perform and has a two-week recovery period where the patient may experience redness and mild discomfort.

Effects

Patients can expect a chemical peel to improve the texture of their skin. These treatments are effective for acne, rough skin, discoloration due to sun damage, and fine lines. When undergoing a facial peel, one should keep in mind that skin might be red, peeling and sensitive immediately after the peel and throughout the recovery period. The doctor should alert you to these possibilities and instruct you about proper treatment.

Misconceptions

While peels can greatly improve the appearance of the skin, they are not appropriate for treating deep scars. Chemical facial peels also will not remove or even reduce the appearance of veins.

References

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery