Is a Chemical Peel the Right Choice for You?

In the search for eternally young looking skin, many people are looking to a chemical peel procedure. However, there is some information that you will need to be aware of so that you understand the procedures and set your expectations appropriately.

A chemical peel is done by a licensed and certified professional and does involve putting a does involve putting an acid-like chemical on the area. The doctor will usually choose one of the following: trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid or carbolic acid. It can only be done on the face, hands and neck areas of the body. The process literally burns away the outer areas of the dermis allowing the exposure of new skin and encourages the regeneration of new skin.

One of the myths about chemical peels is that it gets rid of wrinkles. While it does assist in diminishing some of the wrinkles, other procedures are needed for these problems. Anyone that has been diagnosed with keratosis (a precancerous skin condition) can use a chemical peel to assist with this condition and it does help in keeping the problem from coming back. People with fair skin seem to have better results with a chemical peel than those of olive or darker skin pigmentation. Each chemical peel usually lasts for a duration of around ten minutes, but you may have to do repeated procedures for the kind of results you seek. After effects of a chemical peel can include sensitivity and redness but the maximum time this lasts is usually three to seven days. Women taking oral contraceptives may also have difficulty as there may be abnormal skin pigmentation or discoloring after a chemical peel.

Always discuss your specific situation and condition with your doctor to ensure that you have acceptable expectations for your results.

Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/beauty/skin-treatments/chemical-peels-quiz.htm

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.