The pros and cons of chemical facial peels

Chemical peels can successfully solve skin surface issues by removing the dead outer layer to expose healthier skin below. If you're considering this option, review the pros and cons below for more information.

The results you can expect to achieve from a chemical facial peel depend on the type of chemicals used in the treatment. These three types of chemical peels are most commonly used on patients:

Alphahydroxy acid peel

An alphahydroxy acid peel offers excellent results when used as a treatment for sun damage, acne scars and skin texture problems. It may also aid in the treatment of skin pigmentation imbalances. If you're undergoing a different type of chemical skin peel, an alphahydroxy peel may be used first.

Trichloroacetic acid peel

This type of peel is commonly used on the face and body to remove blemishes, reduce wrinkles and correct skin pigmentation problems. It offers a speedy recovery time, but often requires multiple treatments for best results.

Phenol peel

The phenol peel is only intended for the face and can treat wrinkle problems that trichloroacetic peels cannot solve. It can also be used to remove precancerous spots and blemishes. This peel offers the most dramatic results, but the treatment session and recovery period last longer than other types of chemical peels.

Chemical peels provide outstanding results when treating skin problems like sun damage, discolouration, scars and wrinkles. Some benefits of chemical peels include:

• Chemical peels are noninvasive, and the session can be over in as little as one hour for most types of peels.

• After the session, most patients experience only mild side effects that last for a very short time.

• A chemical peel is one of the most common treatments used for skin pigmentation issues and blemishes because it is extremely effective.

• Chemical peels can be used as an effective treatment for removing birth marks.

• Problems and complications are uncommon during a chemical peel treatment.

Before undergoing a chemical facial peel, it's important to understand the possible downsides associated with this type of treatment:

• Some types of professional chemical peels are cost-prohibitive for many people.

• Although most patients experience only a brief recovery period after undergoing a chemical peel, the recovery period for a phenol peel can take several months.

• Certain types of peels (for example, phenol peel) are not recommended for patients with darker skin tones because of skin lightening side effects.

• After undergoing a phenol peel, your skin can no longer develop a suntan.

• Some chemical peels may cause extreme sun sensitivity, making you more prone to burning if you don't apply sunscreen.

To find out if a chemical facial peel is the right choice for your particular skin problem, discuss the option with a licensed aesthetician.