Chemical Peels are becoming more common in spas. Are these peels good for your skin? Or could they be harmful?
Chemical peels work to slough off dead skin on skin surface; causing them to “peel” off. This stimulates the regeneration of skin, which is new and has fewer wrinkles.
The word “chemical” raises a lot of red flags for many individuals. Applying chemicals to your face may be even more intimidating. That is why we suggest consulting a dermatologist before deciding on using this treatment. There is a huge variance in the degree and types of acids that should be used on the skin for corrective skin care results.
What Are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels can be very beneficial for correcting a variety of skin care conditions; for example, improving or correcting texture, pigmentation, and tone on the face. There are many different types of acids and strengths that are used specifically for each area of concern.
Acids can be layered for a deeper peel. This can correct uneven pigmentation, and smooth and tighten skin texture and tone. Chemical peels can be done in an individual treatment or in a series of treatments for optimal results.
There are different kinds of chemical peels available: Alpha hydroxy acid peel, Beta hydroxy acid peel, Retinoic acid peel, Trichloroacetic acid peel, and the Phenol peel.
Alpha hydroxy acids is the mildest of the peel formulas and produces light peels for treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Alpha hydroxy acids can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin’s texture.
High strength peels are good in terms of efficacy but they irritate your skin more. Some glycolic peels claim the use of strontium nitrate in order to try to reduce skin irritation. Nevertheless, strontium nitrate is a product which is strictly prohibited in cosmetic products since it has an high toxic potential.
How It Works
There are five common fruit acids used in chemical peels: citric acids (citrus-derived), glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane), lactic acid (although derived from milk, this is still considered a “fruit acid”), malic acid (derived from apples) and tartaric acid (derived from grapes).
Citric acid: Usually derived from lemons, oranges, limes and pineapples. These peels are simple and effective, although not incredibly invasive or capable of significant improvement with one treatment.
Glycolic acid: Formulated from sugar cane, this acid creates a mild exfoliating action. Glycolic acid peels work by loosening up and exfoliating the superficial top layer. This peel also stimulates collagen growth.
Lactic acid: This acid is derived from either sour milk or bilberries. A pill made from lactic acid will remove dead skin cells, and promote healthier skin.
Malic acid: It can open up the pores, allow the pores to expel their sebum and reduce acne.
Tartaric acid: This is derived from grape extract and is capable of delivering the same benefits as the above peels.
Recommendations
Do your homework when choosing a skin care professional to perform a chemical peel–make sure they are experienced in using medical grade acids. If too much peel is applied, you can permanently damage the skin.
