Chemical Peels
The skin naturally loses its youthful glow as you age. Your skin’s production of collagen, a structural protein that maintains firmness, declines gradually, making it less resistant to fine lines and wrinkles. Outside factors such as the sun and pollutants in the air can also take a toll, making it hard to maintain a soft, smooth complexion. This is especially frustrating when you feel that your outer appearance doesn’t match what you feel like on the inside, keeping your vitality caged. Now you can break free with a chemical peel at Ridenour Plastic Surgery and reveal the younger, healthier-looking skin just beneath the surface. If you’re a resident of St. Louis, MO, or surrounding communities, please contact us at (314) 501-7946 or visit our contact page to schedule your chemical peel consultation.
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a rejuvenation treatment that removes the dull, damaged outer layer of skin to reveal a brighter complexion. Depending on the formula used, chemical peels can be personalized to treat your specific concerns, but most solutions use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or phenol to rejuvenate your appearance. These medical-grade ingredients clear your skin of dead and damaged skin cells while stimulating cell turnover rate. This stimulation effectively softens the skin and lessens the signs of aging. There are varying strengths for chemical peels, each one being beneficial based on your particular needs. Light peels are useful for superficial concerns, while a deep peel is aggressive and can create drastic improvements in your complexion. At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, one of our skin care experts will help you determine which will benefit you most during an initial consultation.
Who Makes a Good Chemical Peel Candidate?
Because there are varying chemical peel strengths, this treatment can be customized for nearly any skin tone and type. Whether you have sensitive skin or a darker complexion, our skin care experts can find the right chemical peel for your needs, from milder treatments that exfoliate the surface layer of skin to more intensive peels that penetrate deeper for dramatic results.
You should keep in mind that chemical peels won’t tighten loose skin and aren’t meant for treating deep lines or wrinkles. Our provider can review your skin concerns to ensure a chemical peel is right for you. If more rigorous treatment is needed to achieve your goals, our provider may recommend a different treatment offered at Ridenour Plastic Surgery.
Although often performed on the face, a chemical peel can also treat other areas with noticeably damaged skin such as the chest, back or hands and is ideal for the following cosmetic concerns:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scars or scarring
- Lesions
- Uneven tone or texture
- Rough or scaly skin
- Dull skin
- Facial redness
- Sun damage
Types of Chemical Peels
Light peel: Light peels typically consist of alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids that target the surface layer of the skin. These solutions allow for a subtle, milder peel and should be repeated at regular intervals to maintain optimal results. Light peels are known as a ‘lunchtime procedure’ because they are relatively quick and with no downtime, allowing you to return to work or other daily activities immediately afterward.
Medium peel: Medium peels are designed to effectively remove surface damage as well as penetrate deeper to the upper layers of the dermis. Consisting of the stronger chemical solutions trichloroacetic acid and glycolic acid, this peel is best suited for minimizing the appearance of lines or sunspots. A medium peel may be recommended if you don’t respond well enough to a lighter peel.
Deep peel: Deep peels usually contain phenol, a potent chemical that can reach deeper skin layers. This peel is well-suited for sun damage, acne scars and more severe signs of aging, but you may experience some redness or irritation as the skin heals. Deeper chemical peels also heighten skin sensitivity, so direct sunlight should be avoided in the weeks following your treatment. Despite this, deep peels are the go-to for dramatic, vibrant improvements that can last for years.
Your Chemical Peel Treatment
Before beginning your chemical peel treatment, our provider will thoroughly cleanse your skin and apply a numbing cream, depending on the strength of your chemical peel. If you have a deep peel, it may be performed under sedation to ensure a comfortable experience. The chemical peel is then applied to your skin and left on long enough for it to take effect, typically for a few minutes up to an hour. The length of your treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the peel’s potency, your cosmetic goals and skin sensitivity. A moderate itching or stinging sensation may be experienced as the solution penetrates your skin. When complete, a cold gauze is applied to the skin to neutralize the chemical peel, which is then removed. You’ll be given moisturizers and sunscreen to protect your skin after treatment.
Your Chemical Peel Results
After your chemical peel, any downtime or recovery will depend upon the formula used and how deeply it penetrated the skin. Light peels require no downtime, while your skin may take a couple of days to heal from a medium peel. Recovery from a deeper peel may last up to two weeks. During this time, you may experience some redness, peeling or flaking as your results emerge, but it’s important to avoid picking at your skin to prevent scarring. You should also avoid direct sunlight as your skin heals and apply UVB protection for an optimal outcome. You’ll be given aftercare instructions by our provider to ensure the best possible results and a smooth recovery.
After these minor side effects subside, your skin will be visibly brighter and more vibrant. Imperfections will be diminished and your complexion will be smoother and younger-looking than before. Your final results will continue to develop as the skin heals and should be visible after three months, continuing to improve over time. These results can last for several months, but if you have a deep peel performed, they can potentially last for up to ten years.
Take a Look at Our Photo Gallery
Enter Gallery
Schedule a Consultation
Your skin’s health and appearance naturally decline because of age and other outside factors. It’s unfortunate, but with the help of a chemical peel, you can reverse unwanted imperfections and refresh your image with smoother, brighter skin. To schedule a consultation and learn how this treatment can reveal a more vibrant you and restore a clear, radiant complexion, please contact Ridenour Plastic Surgery at (314) 501-7946 or visit our contact page.
Schedule Now