Acne & Face Peels
The chemical face peel is of the oldest aesthetic procedures in the world, having been performed in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It can reduce the appearance of imperfections such as fine lines, wrinkles and acne. There are several types of face peels for acne, with different levels of effectiveness, riskiness, recovery time and costs. Consider which peel you are comfortable with before deciding to go ahead and book an appointment for one. Does this Spark an idea?
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Function
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Chemical peels can help you achieve smoother skin in a short time. During the procedure, an acid solution is applied onto the skin to exfoliate the outer layers of the skin and uncover the smooth skin underneath. The depth of the peel depends on the strength of the acid used and the length of time the solution is left on the skin. Some stronger chemical peels have been replaced by laser treatments, which allows more control and precision for the physician performing the procedure.
Types
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Different types of face peels use different chemicals with different concentrations. Each chemical has its own properties and produces its own typical set of results.
Light face peels can treat fine wrinkles, dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. The chemicals used are usually alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic, lactic and fruit acids. Salicylic acid, which is a type of beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is also used for a mild face peel. For a medium face peel, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigmentation problems. Phenol acid is used for a deep chemical peel, which treats deep wrinkles, blotches caused by aging or sun exposure, and pre-cancerous growths.
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AHA and BHA Peels
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Usually, acne problems show good improvement with AHA and BHA peels, but they are not as effective on scars left by acne. An AHA or BHA peel is mild and would be great if you want the benefits of a facial peel, but cannot afford to spend too much time recovering from one. Results from the peel can be visible for one to three months, and the risks are low. However, you may need to repeat the procedure a few times to achieve the results you want. According to DocShop, you should expect to pay between $150 to $300 for a mild AHA or BHA peel.
TCA Peel
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A TCA peel is a medium peel that is stronger than an AHA or BHA peel, but imposes fewer risks and less downtime than a deep Phenol peel. Patients with darker skin often receive recommendations to choose a TCA peel. Unfortunately, a TCA peel is not very effective for acne, although acne scars usually show moderate improvement. The risks are medium to high. DocShop estimates that a typical TCA peel costs between $1,000 and $2,000, and is usually repeated every two to three months.
Phenol Peel
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A phenol peel, also known as the deep chemical peel or advanced peel, produces a more dramatic result. For both acne and acne scars, a phenol peel usually presents good improvements. This face peel will last longer and is not usually repeated. However, the procedure can take an hour or more, and you may need to be sedated for it. This peel is not recommended for patients with darker skin or heart problems. The risks are high and recovery can take between two weeks to several months. According to DocShop, you should expect to pay between $2,500 to $6,000 for consultation, the peel, anesthesia and follow-up care.
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References
- Photo Credit what a face image by Kelly Kane from Fotolia.com
