Chemical peels have been around for decades. This classic treatment has stood the test of time for one simple reason: they work. Peels are one of the most effective ways to reduce wrinkles, skin discoloration, acne, and uneven texture, as well as give the skin an overall firmer, more youthful look.
However, because chemical peels have been around for decades, many people have an outdated view of what getting a peel is like. When people think of chemical peels, they often associate them with the harsh side effects that used to come with the treatment, like severe redness, high levels of pain, and weeks of downtime. But modern peels are far more gentle, allowing patients to get the same results as old fashioned peels, without the severe side effects.
In this post, we’ll go through the ins and outs of modern peels, including what they treat, how they work, who should get them, and what a treatment is like.
How Do Skin Peels Work?
Peels can improve the skin in many ways. They can be used to:
- Treat acne
- Reduce or eliminate acne scarring
- Soften fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve the tone, texture, and clarity of the skin
- Stimulate the production of collagen for more youthful-looking skin
- Reduce or eliminate age spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation
Chemical peels work to even, firm, and clear the skin by removing skin impurities and causing the skin to rejuvenate more quickly than it would naturally. This is done through the application of different chemical exfoliating agents, which remove dead skin cells and increase cell turnover rates.
Think of a peel as a more intense way to cleanse, exfoliate, and rejuvenate your skin. Professional chemical peels get to the root of many skin conditions, deep within the skin, to purify, smooth, and refresh your skin far more deeply than you could at home.
Old Fashioned vs. Modern Skin Peels
So, how can modern peels give dramatic results without the same severe side effects of old fashioned peels? In the past, skin experts thought that deeper peels gave better results, so they used harsher chemicals to treat the skin. Today, however, we know that these harsh chemicals were completely unnecessary, as you can get the same skin-rejuvenating results from using much gentler chemicals.
At the Z Center for Cosmetic Health, our modern peel of choice is the VI Peel. The VI Peel uses a blend of TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid), Salicylic Acid, Phenol, Retinoic Acid, Vitamins, and Microelements to deeply treat the skin. This specialized blend gives dramatic results with little to no pain, no need for skin preparation, and little downtime. And it works much faster than old fashioned peels. Instead of waiting weeks or months for results, patients will see smoother, more radiant looking skin in about a week.
Who are Skin Peels For? Do Peels Work for All Skin Types?
A chemical peel can be an excellent choice for anyone who wants to dramatically improve their skin’s texture, reduce discoloration, soften wrinkles or fine lines, treat acne or acne scars, and get firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
It’s a common misconception that peels only work for those with fairer skin. However, this is not true. Many modern peels, including the VI Peel, can treat all skin types, from very fair to very deep.
What is a Getting a Peel Like?
For this last section, we’ll talk specifically about the peel we use here at our office, the VI Peel. The VI Peel is quick, requires no downtime, and you’ll begin to see its dramatic results around a week after your treatment.
The VI Peel, Step-by-Step:
When you get a VI Peel, a skincare nurse will apply a specialized solution to your skin, which works to remove the damaged outer layers of your skin. There’s no pain, no need to prepare your skin, and the treatment is fast (it takes 15 to 20 minutes). There’s no downtime needed after your treatment, so you can resume your normal activities. The skin peeling associated with the VI Peel is a light and fluffy peel that will usually start on the third day after your treatment and finish by the end of day five. This peeling is easy to hide with moisturizer and in many cases, it’s difficult to notice at all. Around one week after your treatment, you’ll see noticeably smoother, clearer, and more-youthful looking skin.
Are you interested in getting clearer, more radiant, younger-looking skin with the VI Peel? Click here to learn more about the VI Peel or contact us to schedule an appointment.