What to Expect in Chemical Peel Treatment

Don’t you hate those days when your skin feels so dry and tired that no amount of moisturizer could seem to make it feel right? Like you want to shed the old skin fully and start fresh.

Fortunately, there is a way to do that. If you’ve never tried chemical peel, prepare to be amazed by this non-surgical facial procedure. You can be sure to step out once more into the world with your best face forward.

What is a Chemical Peel?

First things first, if you haven’t gone for a chemical peel treatment at all yet. A chemical peel involves applying a gentle solution on different problem areas, such as the face, neck, and hands.

This cosmetic treatment is a skin-resurfacing method wherein the old skin cell layers are removed to make a fresh, new layer. There are different levels of chemical peeling for different types of issues, depending on the severity of the problem. The more serious it is, the deeper the level of chemical peeling should be.

Superficial Chemical Peel

A superficial peel would target only the skin’s top layers (epidermis) and use a mild solution. This is best for addressing acne, blotchiness, uneven skin tone, dryness, and fine lines and wrinkles. Because it is a light peel, you can go for frequent treatments, anywhere from two to five weeks at a time.

Medium Chemical Peel

This level of peel touches on both the middle skin layer, the dermis, apart from the epidermis. You should get a medium chemical peel for issues such as acne scars, uneven skin tone, and deeper wrinkles.

Deep Chemical Peel

A deep chemical peel is considered the full-strength peel and targets deeper layers of the skin to address issues such as deep wrinkles, precancerous growths, and scars. This is most likely going to be a one-off procedure, but also with a longer recovery period.

What to Expect in Getting the Peel

Take the time on the treatment chair to relax. There isn’t much for you to do while the chemical peel is being applied. You should go to your appointment with a clean, bare face. Don’t wear any makeup and refrain from using products right before the appointment.

As you’re getting the peel, it’s normal to feel a bit of sting; you’re getting a chemical solution applied onto your skin, after all. Not to worry, because this shouldn’t be all that harsh or painful. Soon enough, it should give way to a warm, tingling sensation as the solution gets to work.

Treatment should last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on what kind of peel you get.

Post-Chemical Peel

What you do after the peel is crucial to the success of the whole procedure. The first thing you should note is that your face is at its most sensitive in the days immediately following the treatment.

Expect redness, dryness, and even itchiness. It is important that you do not touch or scratch your face to avoid injuring yourself. If the irritation becomes too much for you, try applying a protective, soothing ointment, such as petroleum jelly, for relief.

Avoid direct sun exposure. There is a chemical solution on your skin, which could cause burns or sunspots, and other marks. Apply sunscreen at all times if you must go out, although ideally, you should stay in for as much as possible. The good news, though, is that if you only got a light peel, you can already wear daily makeup as soon as the next day.