| A dermatologist will help you determine which peel program is right for you. He may suggest a customized solution for you. Before actually agreeing to the procedure, make sure you understand what the dermatologist is about to do. If there is some point you need clarified make sure you have the dermatologist clarify it further.
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are the mildest of the chemical peels. They are typically made of fruit, glycolic, and lactic acids.These peels may not show as dramatic effects as the other peels; they are, however, best for those who do not have time to recover from the other peel procedures. These peels are applied weekly or periodically, depending on your dermatologist's advice. But they do result in smoother, finer looking skin after a few treatments.
There are also commercially available AHA facial care solutions that can be applied everyday. Some dermatologists will incorporate AHA into the daily skin care regimen of the patient. This may be in soaps, facial cleanser, etc.Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the intermediate peel for those who wish to have the effects almost as dramatic as phenol peels yet cannot dedicate too much time to healing as in the case of those who prefer AHA peels. To achieve the desired effect more than one peel may be necessary.
This treatment is ideal for medium depth peeling. It is also the ideal peel for fine lines, and blemishes that are not that severe.Phenol is the most potent of the chemical peels around and they take some time to heal.
They are recommended in cases that feature coarse wrinkles and severe blemishes such as blotching, coarse skin, etc.Phenol is also a strong whitening agent and this may be a factor in considering whether to choose this sort of treatment. It must be remembered that this is primarily a facial treatment. Application to other parts of the body may result in scarring.Among the things to look out for are: the possibility of demarcation lines - lines that show which part of the face received treatment and which did not, redness, irritation, and other side effects.The redness and irritation is normal since that is the usual state of newly peeled skin. Your dermatologist will advise you on the care and upkeep of tender skin.
For those who have undergone this treatment, it is generally recommended that they stay out of the sun for several months as to protect the newly formed skin. The procedure will cause stinging, redness and irritation. But that is to be expected from such procedures.All in all, chemical peels are safe, although they may cause some inconvenience. The risks for scarring are low. However, the procedure must be performed by a certified professional if to ensure safety.
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A chemical peel is a caustic procedure that burns the outer layers of the skin revealing a younger, fresher looking skin. Usually acids like salicylic, glycolic, lactic, TCA peels, and or phenol will be used.The sugar and citric acids (salicylic, glycolic, etc... are lighter peels and don't require much downtime.Some of the deeper peels can have up to 2 weeks of severe discomfort and peeling - a time you probably want to stay inside and not be out in public.These lighter peels can even be done as 'lunch time' peels.hey are effective for light skin pigmentation problems, reduction of sebaceousgland oil (prime contributor to pimples and acne), sun spots, and other minor skin problems. Usually multiple treatments are needed as it is not a deep peel.
The cost is around $100 per peel at a medispa ($150+ at a doctors office).TCA peels are deeper medium depth peels. They have names youv'e seen on TV like Obagi Blue Peel, Estheticians Choice, etc...TCA stands for trichloroacetic acid and is a more effective and longer lasting peel than the sugar and citric peels.It is actually easier to use as it does not require layering or taping (methods used to drive lesser peels deeper). It is effective on more skin conditions and problems.
TCA peels are one of the highest dermatologist recommended treatments for acne vulgaris.
It has been found to be every bit as effective as Accutane without any of the side effects (Accutane can have some worrisome side effects).TCA peels are actually able to remove freckles, years of sun damage, bad pigmentation, scars, tighten skin and lessen wrinkles and fine lines. It has even been used by doctors to remove and lighten tattoos. TCA peels cost around $250-$500 at a medispa and usually $300 -$500+ at a doctors office.Phenol peels are the deepest. They commonly result in a permanent bleaching pigmentation effect. Which can result in a pale, fake lookPhenol can effect heart rate and function, so a phenol peel is always done in a doctors care and with anesthesia as it is the deepest and most excrutiating of the peels.It is a last resort peel due to its harshness and bleaching properties.
I won't discuss it too much here as it is rarely performed nowadays. Phenol peels can reach $2000+ easily as they require anesthesia and more care.There are other derivatives, but basically these are the various chemical skin peels in a nut shell.The TCA peels are the most effective and most regarded of the peels. and they are also the best buy - 1 TCA peel equals more than 4 or 5 glycolic peels, so it actually works out to be cheaper. And now TCA peels are actually available for home use for under $30. Which makes them the most affordable along with already being the most effective and longest lasting - results can last up to 1 year versus a few weeks to 2 months for a glycolic peel. For more on TCA peels for home use go to www.bestskinpeel.com.
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