Blemishes… Sun damage… Wrinkles… Uneven pigmentation… Precancerous cells… These are the problems – and chemical facial peels are the answer. This cosmetic procedure is standout when it comes to replacing damaged skin with a fresh, youthful appearance. Prepare to peel away the years with this effective medical spa treatment.

An individual may consider chemical facial peels for any number of reasons. It might be those lines around the mouth that tack on years to the face. Perhaps it’s the “pregnancy mask” that’s often caused by hormones. Or maybe it’s a matter of wanting to liven up a dull, unhealthy appearance. There are plenty of reasons one might seek out chemical facial peels, but the bottom line is almost everyone is in search of some sort of replenishing.

From teens to the elderly, the spectrum of patients who turn to chemical facial peels run the gamut. A teenage girl could be fed up with severe acne problems while a woman in her 70s may be desperate to do away with that weathered look.

The cosmetic procedure works in the following way. During a facial peel, a chemical solution is applied to the face. This eradicates damaged skin cells, peeling away the outer layer of skin to reveal an uncontaminated layer of skin. The strengths and solutions of the chemicals are determined based on skin depth. In general, a chemical facial peel can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as one hour. The most commonly used peeling agents are Phenol, Trichloroacetic acid or Alphahydroxy acids.

Phenol, used only on the face, is utilized when treating sun-damage, wrinkles, aging or pre-cancerous growths. One of the strongest peels, the patient may have a longer recovery time. Trichloroacetic acid is used to wipe out uneven pigmentation, superficial blemishes and surface wrinkles on the face, neck and other body parts. Cosmetic procedures using Trichloroacetic acid usually require a shorter amount of time and the recovery period is not as long as treatments using Phenol. Alphahydroxy acids are used to combat sun damage, acne and dry skin to name a few. Medical spa treatments involving Alphahydroxy acids usually take no more than 10 minutes.

Patients can expect a warm, tingling feeling during the procedure. Discomfort may be eased by the application of compresses to the treated areas or the cooling of a fan. Depending on how deep the peel goes, pain medication or sedation is sometimes administered.

Following a chemical facial peel, the face may have a “sunburned” or chapped appearance, a reddish tinge. Patients often encounter a certain amount of peeling in the post-treatment phase which can last up to a week. The medical spa will give you skin care instructions during this recovery period. Over time, the flaking will cease only to be replaced with a rejuvenated layer of skin that’s both smooth and flawless. The number of treatments is based on the reason for the peel. Most patients require about six chemical facial peels.

When undergoing a chemical peel, it’s important to rely on a highly-trained professional that’s experienced in the medical spa treatment. After all, the use of chemicals on your face is no small matter, at least not one to be trusted at the hands of a novice. When considering chemical face peels, find a medical spa that you trust, one that will make your comfort the utmost priority.