Different Acids Used in a Chemical Peel
Chemical peels, also called chemexfoliation or derma-peeling treatments, are cosmetic treatments performed on the face, typically used as an anti-aging solution to rejuvenate the skin. Chemical peels are used to correct skin irregularities in texture, such as fine lines, and color, such as spots caused by sun damage. These peels have varying strengths, characterized by the different kinds of acids used in the applied chemical solution. Chemical-peel solutions use three main acid ingredients to reach varying levels of intensity: alphahydroxy acid (AHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and phenol. Does this Spark an idea?
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Treatable Skin Conditions
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The intent of chemical-peel treatments is to restore younger-looking skin that is more radiant, smooth, and even toned. The peel helps reduce the appearance of skin discoloration, usually in the form of liver spots and age spots caused by UV-ray damage. Skin discoloration may also be in the form of other conditions, such as melasma spots, or unsightly birthmarks and moles, or from the skin's historical battle with acne. Acne scarring also presents textural issues that can be treated with chemical peels. Other treatable textural-skin conditions are fine lines stemming from the eyes--- and around the mouth. The skin condition and patient objectives will determine what acids are used in the peel.
How the Chemical Peel Works
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A chemical-peel treatment is performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, although some spa and home treatments are available (at one's own risk). A chemical solution is applied to the patient's cleansed facial skin. The solution is left on for an amount of time that varies with the depth of the peel, averaging between 10-to-30 minutes. When the solution is peeled off, it takes with it the surface layer of skin cells. Intense, abrasive solutions are peeled off when the skin begins to blister. The goal is to reveal a new layer of healthy skin cells, which results in a smoother texture and more even pigmentation.
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The Mild Chemical Peel
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Mild peels use alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), in varying concentrations, depending on skin condition. Glycolic acid is the type of AHA typically used, since it is the smallest molecular-sized AHA, which makes it good for penetrating the skin for resurfacing. AHAs are used in mild peels because they are effective in yielding desired results, yet without harsh side effects or high risk to sensitive skin. (AHAs are used in many over-the-counter skin-care products.) Dermatologists can use AHAs at concentrations of 20 percent to 80 percent for the peel. The AHA can shed the skin of old, unheatlhy, and useless skin cells to reveal a new surface skin layer. AHAs also hydrate the skin, and, used in conjunction with a bleaching agent, can reduce the appearance of discoloration, such as age spots. Glycolic acid improves the complexion and lends radiance to the skin. The effects of the AHA peel are short-term, lasting from a few weeks to a few months.
The Medium Chemical Peel
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Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used in the medium-depth chemical peel. TCA is used in chemical peels that aim to correct deeper problems than just surface dullness and a bland complexion. TCA can effectively treat textural skin conditions, such as fine lines and wrinkles. It can also remove blemishes and correct pigmentation irregularities. The results of a TCA peel are more dramatic than that of the mild (AHA) peel, and last almost twice as long. However, the downside to a medium-depth chemical peel is that the face needs one week to heal, since it will be swollen, irritated, and appear as though it is severely sunburned for this amount of time, give or take a few days.
The Deep Chemical Peel
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Phenol is the strongest ingredient used in intensive, deep-chemical peels. This aggressive chemical is strong and effective enough to target coarse wrinkles, and all-over moderate to severe acne scars. It can correct uneven skin color, as well as UV ray-damaged skin conditions, such as deep age spots and precancerous lesions. The results of a deep chemical peel are the most intense, and last decades, rather than weeks or months. However, use of phenol comes with a price, beyond just dollars spent, as described by sources for InfoPlasticSurgery.com. There is no way to expedite the peeling process, which requires more time than other peels, and once the chemical solution peels off of the facial skin, the face is "ghostly white," and will never tan again.
Considerations and Warning
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Chemical peels are not used as preventive treatments, meaning that any type of peel, no matter how mild or deep, will slow the aging process in the skin. As a matter of fact, all peels leave the skin more sensitive to UV rays, making the skin far more vulnerable to the visible (and cancerous) sun damage.
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