Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are safe and effective cosmetic treatments that can benefit the skin in many ways. A chemical peel removes the top layer of skin to reveal smoother, healthier skin below. Chemical peels are one of the quickest cosmetic treatments that can produce great results. Skin resurfacing with a chemical peel is one of the best lunchtime cosmetic procedures around.

How Chemical Peels Work

Before treatment, the skin is cleansed, and a scrub is applied to remove the outermost layer of the dermis (stratum corneum). During treatment, a chemical agent is applied to the skin, and after approximately 10 minutes, the peel is removed from the skin. Typically, the peeling process begins the next day or two. Peeling lasts for about one week.

The chemical peel removes the top layer of skin in a controlled and safe way so that newer, healthier skin can grow back and jumpstart your skin’s natural collagen production.

Wearing an SPF-50 the days and weeks following your chemical peel is extremely important to help protect the newly exposed skin, which is very sensitive.

Types of Chemical Peels

At Schweiger Dermatology, we employ three types of chemical peels: Jessner, Glycolic Acid, and the VI Peel.

The Best Chemical Peel for Acne

The Jessner chemical peel reveals a silkier and more radiant skin beneath. After about a week post-treatment, you will notice the astonishing effects of this type of chemical peel. The Jessner chemical peel is a 100-year-old practice that has shown enormous benefits, especially in lightening discolored areas, treating acne lesions, smoothing out wrinkles, and bringing a more youthful glow to the skin. Composed of three central ingredients: resorcinol, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, this treatment works to break down dead cells on the skin’s surface to reveal the softer, firmer skin beneath. Following your treatment, a natural peeling will begin, as the Jessner peel’s active ingredients stimulate this process.

The Best Chemical Peel for Sensitive Skin

Glycolic acid is considered a natural acid derived from sugar cane and fruit acids. A glycolic acid peel is one of the mildest chemical peels and is great for sensitive skin types.

A glycolic acid chemical peel affects the epidermis by breaking up the bonds (or the glue) in the skin that hold onto the dead cells. Removing the top layer of dead cells helps stimulate collagen and elastin production, leaving patients with more youthful and firmer skin.

Additionally, a glycolic acid chemical peel is ideal for removing pore-clogging debris from the skin and thereby helps to reduce the incidence of acne breakouts. By removing dirt and debris from the skin, the pores appear smaller, and the overall complexion looks better and less oily.

After just one treatment, patients notice how soft and smooth their skin feels. For maximum results, we recommend repeating your glycolic acid peel every 3 to 4 months.

The Best Chemical Peel for all Skin Types

Increasingly popular among celebrities, the VI Peel is a brand new way to improve skin texture and tone. The VI Peel was created for all skin types and tones—even darker complexions.
The VI Peel has been featured in numerous national magazines, including In Style, O The Oprah Magazine, Life & Style, and US Weekly. It effectively treats the signs of aging, pigmentation issues, redness, acne scars, and sun damage.

VI Peel removes the top layer of dead skin to make way for refreshed and smoother skin. It can also boost the body’s collagen production, making the skin appear firmer and more contoured.
There is no pain involved with VI Peel as it contains an anesthetic, making it a truly new approach to the traditional chemical peel.

On average, VI Peel treatments take about 20 minutes.

Thanks to its unique formulation, the VI Peel has minimal side effects, and skin sensitivity is minimal. The most common side effect of a VI Peel treatment is a slight stinging sensation when the peel is first applied.

Frequently, we recommend that patients have treatments four times a year. For younger patients, we recommend that they begin treatments at puberty.

Chemical Peels Effective in Treating Many Skin Conditions

Chemical peels can be an effective treatment for targeting many skin conditions, including:

• Melasma
• Acne scars
• Active acne lesions
• Sun damage
• Pigmentation issues
• Fine lines

A chemical peel can remove any residual red or brown spots left behind from the sun or acne. Chemical peels are also effective and non-invasive in rejuvenating the skin and turning back the clock. A chemical peel can also boost collagen production, which will help rejuvenate the skin and deliver younger and healthier skin.

Side Effects of Chemical Peels

Side effects from a chemical peel are few and far between, but may include:

• Crusting of the skin
• Increased photosensitivity
• Redness (it should be noted that some redness is expected after a chemical peel)
• Scarring of the skin
• Pigmentation changes

Chemical peels can rejuvenate the skin without surgery. They are a low-risk treatment for many skin conditions.

---