Wiping Away Sun Damage With Chemical Peels

As summer ends, you’re left with great memories, vacation souvenirs, and…sun damage. While you’ve been having fun in the sun, the sun has likely been putting some serious stress on your skin. This damage can happen in as little as 5 minutes! Sun damage can create unsightly skin issues like uneven skin tone and loss of elasticity, often aging you beyond your years. Luckily, chemical peels can help reduce these unwanted effects. However, many people are apprehensive about the treatment. Read more to learn how chemical peels can help wipe away sun damage, from Premier Cosmetic Surgery, cosmetic surgery near me.

What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel aims to resurface the skin by applying a mixture of chemicals to the skin that eats away dead, dull skin. Once the damaged skin is peeled off, the new, unblemished skin grows in its place. Chemical peels are non-invasive, quick, and easy procedures that can be done in-office by the best plastic surgeons in delaware. There are three main types of chemical peels.

  • Superficial
  • Medium
  • Deep

Superficial chemical peels focus on the outer layer of the skin or the epidermis. This type of peel is best used to treat issues like fine lines, acne, slight skin discoloration, and dryness. Medium-grade peels penetrate the epidermis and go into your skin’s middle layer, the dermis. These peels typically treat concerns like acne scarring, uneven skin tones due to medications, and deeper wrinkles. Finally, deep chemical peels dive deep into the skin, into the mid-reticular layer. This level of chemical peel is used to treat the direst of cases of issues like deep-set wrinkles, benign growths, and more pronounced scars.

Chemical Peel Prep

Before undergoing a chemical peel, you’ll first need to figure out which one is best for you. For fair-skinned individuals, our cosmetic surgery near me office suggests medium or deep peels. These peels can cause discoloration in people with deeper skin tones. If you’re unsure of which category you fall under, your best plastic surgeon delaware can help determine the best course of action during your consultation. Before your chemical peel, you’ll also need to stop or refrain from certain activities, skin treatments, or medications as they can create reactions. Some of these include:

  • Retinoids
  • Aspirin
  • Glycolic creams
  • Tanning
  • Exfoliating
  • Laser hair removal
  • Makeup

The Chemical Peel Procedure

A chemical peel may sound scary to many. After all, we’re told to avoid harsh chemicals when it comes to our skin! However, this procedure is perfectly safe. Your best plastic surgeon delaware has been trained on how to use these chemicals and has likely done many before yours, so you can sit back and relax. However, if you’re still anxious about the procedure, hearing a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect can help.

Step 1: Our cosmetic surgery near me office will talk with you about your medical history and make sure you’ve followed all necessary pre-procedure precautions.

Step 2: Your physician may then cleanse your skin and do a patch test to make sure your skin can tolerate the full peel.

Step 3: After this, your plastic surgeon will use a soft piece of gauze to spread the solution onto your skin. You’ll likely feel a little bit of stinging while the solution works its magic.

Step 4: After the solution has sat for a few moments, your doctor will cool your skin off with a compress to neutralize any residual stinging or warmth you may feel. Know that it’s normal to feel those uncomfortable sensations for up to 20 minutes after application. However, make sure to let your doctor know if the feeling reaches a painful level!

Post-Peel Care and Results

Just like with preparing for a peel, there are some actions and medications you’ll want to refrain from taking. Your specialist will typically give out a sheet with post-procedure instructions on what to do following your appointment. Everyone is different, and each type of peel may warrant another regimen. That said, there are some common things most offices will suggest you not do after a chemical peel. This includes:

  • Direct sun exposure
  • Skin products not approved by your doctor
  • Rigorous workouts
  • Saunas

Your cosmetic surgery near me results will vary based on your peel type. For light chemical peels, you’ll see results in as little as 24 hours or as long as a week. Medium grade peels will take a little longer, with results appearing in seven to 14 days. Finally, deep penetration chemical peels can take up to two full weeks to see results. When your healing period is over, your new skin will be extra sensitive, so be sure to go easy on it. Once healed, a chemical peel will provide you with brighter, smoother, and healthier-looking skin you can feel confident in!

Premier Cosmetic Surgery | Cosmetic Surgery Near Me

We hope this breakdown of chemical peels helped! Does your skin suffer from discoloration? Do you have severe acne scarring? Feel like all those hours at the beach may have been a mistake? You may benefit from a chemical peel! Premier Cosmetic Surgery, best plastic surgeons in delaware, provides all three types of peels for our patients. If you’re interested in learning more about chemical peels, check out our chemical peel page. At Premier Cosmetic Surgery, cosmetic surgery near me, we believe you deserve to love the skin you’re in. If you’re ready to see a difference in your skin, contact our offices for a consultation today!