Frequently Asked Questions on Chemical Peels

Chemical peels have been around since Egyptian times and have always been one of the most recommended treatments for anti-aging and skincare treatments by medical spas, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons.  However, even though chemical peels are a widely know named in aesthetics there are still a lot of myths, and assumptions about chemical peels that aren't always facts.  After running a medical spa-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center in Orlnado for 9 years chemical peels are still a go to treatment that give effective results and are still the best treatment for exfoliation.
Here are some frequently asked Questions on Chemical Peels:
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a combination of acids used to remove layers of dead and damage skin to reveal new, softer, fresh looking skin.
Do all chemical peels create severe downtime and peeling?
No, there are varying degrees of chemical peels including mild, medium, and strong peels.  This depends on the acid or combination of acids used, the strengths (percentages of each acid) and the length of time the peel is left on the skin.  Light peels are good for beginning peels and typically have no peeling involved.  The medium peels usually involve light flaking for 2-3 days.  Only strong peels such as TCA (trichloracetic acid) require 3-7 days of peeling.
At what age can one have a chemical peel?
Chemical peels can be performed at any age and are especially useful for teens with acne.
Do Chemical Peels thin your skin?
No, chemical peels stimulate collagen and elastyn so they actually plump the skin reducing wrinkles. They only remove layers of dead skin that need to be exfoliated.
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Why You Shouldn't Be Intimidated By Chemical Peels

In our Medical Spa-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center we see many clients who have never done cosmetic treatments before. I am often asked what is the first treatment I recommend- and it is normally chemical peels or chemical peels combined with laser treatments because they can do so many benefits for the skin. However, a lot of times when I use the words "chemical peel" clients get uneasy and I have often been asked-"Will I look like Samantha from Sex and the City when she couldn't go out for weeks and looked like raw skin". The answer is NO! People are often uneducated about the types of chemical peels and levels as there are light, medium and strong peels and varying strengths within each of those. There are different types of chemical peels to address acne, wrinkles, scars, sun damage, Melasma, fine lines, pore size and texture. Here are some of the most common types of peels: Types of chemical peels Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are a group of mild organic acids most often derived from fruit, sugar cane and milk. AHA peels promote increased epidermal sloughing and are best for clients who want to improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and other dark marks. The most common AHAs are glycolic, lactic, tartaric and malic acids. In addition, there are many hybrid AHAs that have emerged in the esthetic marketplace. These acids exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal a fresher, brighter, younger-looking complexion. Often called a “lunchtime” peel," AHAs are popular because they cause only minimal irritation and require no downtime. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA). BHA (also known as salicylic acid) treats the same skin conditions as AHAs; however, it penetrates the epidermis more deeply than AHA peels. Salicylic acid is found in wintergreen leaves and birch bark, and it has been used for decades to treat conditions, such as acne, warts and psoriasis. BHA peels are considered anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. These peels work well with sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin. It is important to note that because salicylic acid has properties similar to aspirin, it should not be used on clients with aspirin allergies. Jessner’s. Stronger than BHAs, the Jessner’s peel is also good for treating oily skin, acne and fine lines. Still considered a light peel (unless multiple coats are applied, in which case it is a deep peel), Jessner’s often combines salicylic acid, resorcinol and lactic acid in an ethanol solution--depending on the manufacturer. This peel removes dead skin throughout a period of six to 10 days. This treatment works especially well for clients with pigment irregularities, including melasma. Trichloroacetic acid.TCA is a standard agent in medium-level chemicals peels. As TCA is a deeper peel than Jessner’s, it must be performed under a physician’s supervision unless the peel is less than 10% TCA. This peel works to coagulate skin protein in order to treat skin imperfections, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles. This peel needs to be used with caution when treating darker skin tones, because there is a risk of the peel causing hyperpigmentation. These are just a few types of chemical peels-there are hundreds of blends and combinations to meet your needs. Find an experienced medical aesthetician and ask for a free consultation. For more information on chemical peels and why to not be intimidated go to www.winterparklaser.com

Chemical Peels can rejuvenate the Skin

Chemical Peels can Rejuvenate the Skin

Starting in Egyptian times, chemical peels were the first form of non-surgical cosmetic treatments used to slow down the aging process and rejuvenate tired, dull skin and wrinkles. A chemical peel is a process involving various chemical agents being applied to the skin which causes isolated intentional injury that is superficial to the top layers of the skin. This is called exfoliation and the top layers of dead cells then slough off to reveal a new more youthful layer of fresh skin. Chemical peels are great rejuvenation and anti-aging because as you age the cell turnover slows down. When dead skin cells start to pile up on the skint hey can cause the skin to look dull, crepey, dry, and uneven pigmentation.

Unfortunately the media often depicts chemical peels in movies and TV as scary, red tomato faces with weeks of downtime, but that is not the case. There are light (superficial), medium and strong depth chemical Peels and they differ in how deep they penetrate the skin layers. The deeper the penetration, the more extensive the rejuvenation and recovery time. It is always a good idea to start with light peels first to prepare the skin and then ease into stronger peels. Chemical Peels are a great way to rejuvenate and maintain skin after acne treatments or any type of laser skin resurfacing treatments.

Here are a few examples of various chemical peels from Glytone or IMAGE Skin care that we use at our Medical Spa under Physician Supervision and like:
Alpha Hydroxy Acid Peel:
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel is a superficial-depth peel. It is the mildest type of peel formulation. The advantage of the mild nature of the AHA peel is that while the effect is mild, there is no extended downtime. People can return to work after the peel, although the application of make-up is discouraged for at least three hours after the peel. AHA peels help to treat fine, superficial skin wrinkles and sun damage. It can be used on people of all skin colors and it can be used on areas other than the face, such as the neck, chest, arms and hands. The most common type of AHA peel is the glycolic acid peel.

TCA Orange Peel: A physician grade TCA/Salicylic Acid Peel that aggressively treats aging and sun-damaged skin. A revolutionary treatment that will rejuvenate skin in one treatment (45 minute

Jessner’s Peel:
Jessner’s peel is a superficial-depth peel. It is appropriate for people requiring a deeper peel. Because it is a combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid (an AHA), and resorcinol, it reaches deeper into the skin than an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) peel alone. A Jessner's peel can be used to lighten areas of hyper-pigmentation (unsightly darkening), treat acne and acne scars, and improve the appearance of photo-damaged and sun-damaged skin.

Vi Peel™: The VI peel is a strong peel created to reverse the signs of aging and sun damage on the skin and is safe for all skin types! The Vi Peel improves the tone, texture, and clarity of your skin, reduces age spots, stimulates collagen, and can improve acne skin conditions. It is powerful enough to make a serious improvement after just one treatment and works at the cellular level instead of burning skin off. The Vi Peel Precision enhancer is available for a concentrated blend of ingredients making the peel 25% stronger. This is great for those with stubborn hyper-pigmentation.