Some skin treatments focus on just one issue. Botox, for example, helps to minimize wrinkles. Fillers help to improve facial volume. Chemical peels, on the other hand, can treat a variety of skin concerns. Both light peels and medium peels can treat concerns like fine lines, uneven skin tone, acne scars, and enlarged pores.
If you’re considering a chemical peel, it’s a good idea to double check that the treatment is right for you. If it seems like a good match, the next step is to get in touch with a provider for a consultation to narrow down your chemical peel options and choose the strength and combination of ingredients that are right for you.
What type of results do you want?
One of the first things to ask yourself is “what kind of results am I looking for?” Chemical peels can help to minimize or correct a variety of concerns, but they can’t treat everything. For example, if you’re looking to treat sagging skin, you might be better off with a treatment such as Ulthera or with a surgical procedure such as a facelift. If you’re trying to smooth deep creases and wrinkles, a dermal filler might be a better option.
But if your primary concern is correcting the texture and tone of your skin, then a chemical peel might be a good option for you. Peels can help you look more youthful by making the skin tone more even, smoothing away fine lines and help to correct areas where the texture of your skin is uneven.
How’s your overall health?
Generally speaking, you want to be in good overall health before you decide to have a chemical peel. In addition, chemical peels usually aren’t recommended for women who are currently pregnant. If you’re taking certain medications or you’re undergoing chemotherapy, it’s usually recommended that you wait until your therapy is complete before you consider a peel.
Also, some skin conditions can complicate matters if you’re considering a chemical peel. For example, if you have active cold sores, you’ll want to wait for them to clear up. Although a peel can help with some acne scarring, if you’re currently experiencing a major breakout or are taking Accutane to manage your acne, you’ll want to hold off on the peel.
What type of skin do you have?
The good news about most chemical peels is that they’re usually safe for all complexion types and ethnicities. There is a slight chance that darker skin will have some spotting or uneven pigmentation after a peel, but that usually only occurs after a deep peel. A superficial or mild peel is generally safe for all skin types.
Have you considered other options?
Even if a chemical peel looks like the absolute best option for you, it can still be worthwhile to take a look at what other treatments are available. For example, laser treatments also help to improve skin tone and texture, minimize fine lines and reduce acne scarring. They usually have a longer recovery time afterward and often take longer to perform compared to a peel, but the results can be more dramatic.
Another alternative treatment might be microdermabrasion, which gently exfoliates the skin, helping it to look brighter and more youthful. Since the microdermabrasion is usually very superficial, the type of results you get from it might be considerably less dramatic than the results you’d get from a peel.
Do you have the time for recovery after the peel?
We might all remember that “Sex and the City” episode when Samantha gets a chemical peel and ends up at Carrie’s book launch with a bright red face. Fortunately, most chemical peels won’t leave you looking like Samantha. You won’t have to make excuses and lock yourself away in the days and weeks after the peel.
That said, it is important to understand how much recovery is needed after a peel. Usually, superficial peels have the shortest recovery process. There might be some swelling and redness right after treatment, but both should fade quickly. You can expect to go back to your regular activities after about a day, or sometimes even the same day.
If you’re having a medium peel performed, you might want to take it easy for at least a day, if not two (no same-day book launch parties for you). Usually, the skin will peel for about a week after the treatment. After about two weeks, your skin should be fully healed.
Dr. Paul Vitenas offers two chemical peel options at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas. To learn more about what to expect from a peel and to find out if it’s the right choice for you, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation today.