One of the oldest procedures for treating the signs of aging and rejuvenating the skin, chemical peels vary in strength and intensity. At the Hilger Clinic in Minneapolis, MN, the mildest, most superficial chemical peels are performed by an aesthetician. Deeper, surgical chemical peels are performed by either Dr. Hilger or Dr. Lyford-Pike. All types of peels are well-established procedures and our surgeons and aestheticians have years of experience performing them.
Chemical Peels and Chemical Resurfacing
During the aging process, creases and lines develop in areas where there is repeated movement, volume is lost from the skin, and the skin becomes looser and more lax. Depending on their location, wrinkles can be very deep, such as where the lip and cheek meet, or very fine, almost like crepe paper, such as those that develop in the eye area.
A number of factors can increase the signs of aging on a person’s skin, such as spending ample time in the sun. The thickness of the skin and the color of a person’s complexion can also influence the degree of aging that is visible. For example, people with fairer skin typically also have thinner skin, which is more likely to show lines and wrinkles early on. Additionally, fairer skinned people have less protection from the sun’s rays in the form of pigment.
A chemical peel can help reduce the signs of aging on the skin by resurfacing it, removing the outer layer of skin and encouraging the dermis, or layer beneath, to create new collagen. As the collagen matures, the skin becomes smoother and wrinkles are reduced.
Chemical peels can be made from a number of different types of acid, the most common of which are phenol, trichloroacetic acid, and salicylic acid. Other agents in a peel can include resorcinol and croton oil. The peels vary in strength, based on the concentration and type of acids contained in them.
The most mild and superficial chemical peels are performed by an aesthetician, in an office setting. These peels require almost no recovery or downtime. Deeper, surgical strength peels may be performed in an office, but are most commonly performed in an ambulatory surgery center.
Candidates for Chemical Peels
Often, the best candidate for a chemical peel is a person with a fair complexion who have a considerable amount of wrinkles or fine lines on the skin. As part of the resurfacing process, chemical peels can often alter the pigmentation of the skin, causing light spots to develop. The stronger the peel, the more likely it is that some sort of pigmentation change will occur.
Pigmentation changes are usually less noticeable or non-existent in people with fair skin. If your skin is darker or olive, you can still have a chemical peel, but your surgeon or aesthetician might exercise more caution during it.
Frequently Ask Questions about Chemical Peels
What are Chemical Peels?
A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment that improves the appearance of the skin. It is often performed on the face, but can also be performed on the neck, hands, and certain other areas. Chemical peels vary in strength and intensity. The type of peel that is appropriate for you will depend on the condition of your skin, your complexion and what type of results you’d like to see.
Am I a Candidate for a Chemical Peel?
You may be a candidate for a chemical peel if you have signs of aging, such as wrinkles, and want to do something to minimize or remove those wrinkles. Ideally, a candidate for a chemical peel will be in good overall health. Having fair skin can improve your candidacy for the procedure, but there may be options for people with darker skin as well.
Where Is a Chemical Peel Performed?
The strength of a chemical peel determines the setting for it. Mild peels, sometimes called "lunchtime peels," are often performed in a doctor’s or aesthetician’s office. Since these peels involve a less concentrated form of acid, the aesthetician usually oversees all aspects of the procedure, from consultation through treatment.
Stronger, "surgical" peels are usually performed in a surgical center, although a surgeon might determine that an office is an appropriate setting for one.
What Types of Chemical Peel Are Available?
Generally speaking, there are three main categories of chemical peel, and a range of variety in each category.
- Mild chemical peels. Mild peels, or "lunchtime peels" only resurface the very top, superficial layer of skin. They typically use a very mild acid, such as salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid.
- Medium strength peels. A medium strength peel can often contain trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid. It is stronger than the most superficial of peels and will resurface both the outer and middle layer of the skin. The results from a medium peel are usually considerably more dramatic than those from a mild peel.
- Deep or surgical peels. The stronger types of chemical peels typically use phenol or trichloroacetic acid. They reach a deeper layer of the skin and provide the most noticeable and dramatic results.
How Long Does It Take?
How long a chemical peel takes depends on the size of the area treated and the intensity of the peel. Superficial peels or peels that are only applied to a very small area of the face can take around 15 minutes. Often, deeper peels or peels applied to the entire face can take about an hour.
Is Anesthesia Used?
Surgical peels often involve the use of general anesthesia or sedation. Mild, in-office peels might involve a local or topical anesthetic. In some instances, the anesthetic is included in the peel ingredients.
What Happens During a Chemical Peel?
The chemical peel process varies based on your goals and the type of peel being performed. At the start of any peel, though, the skin is first cleansed. The next step is for the surgeon or aesthetician to apply the solution to the skin, using a cotton tip applicator.
What solution is applied, and where, depends on the goal. Certain chemicals used might minimize instances of spotting or hyperpigmentation on the skin, other chemicals can be used to smooth wrinkles and lines. Depending on the patient, a variety of acids and chemicals can be used in different areas during a single treatment.
When Can I Go Back to Work?
The recovery process after a chemical peel is based on the strength of the peel. After a mild peel, you’re likely to be able to go back to the work the next day.
After a surgical chemical peel, it’s very common for the skin to be red for several weeks. During the first few days after the procedure, it’s common to see some skin shedding and exfoliation. Within about a week, the new skin cells should have formed, covering the treated area. Once the new skin has formed, you can begin to wear camouflage makeup to cover up any remaining redness. Many patients feel comfortable returning to work about a week after a surgical peel.
When Can I Exercise Again?
The day after any type of peel, you can begin to participate in light exercise, such as walking. Light physical activity is usually recommended to help the healing process.
If you’ve had a deep peel, you’ll want to avoid more vigorous or moderate exercise for about two weeks after the procedure. Keep in mind that you’ll need to wear sunscreen if any of your exercise involves spending any amount of time outdoors.
Are There Risks?
Complications are usually very rare after the most superficial of peels. One of the risks commonly associated with deeper, surgical peels is a loss or decrease in pigmentation of the skin, but even that only occurs in about 4 percent of patients.
One of the more common issues with a chemical peel is that the procedure didn’t do enough to treat a person’s wrinkles or other skin concerns. If that is the case, it’s possible to repeat the peel after a few months or to try a different skin resurfacing procedure.
To learn more about your chemical peel options in Minneapolis, MN, call 952-844-0404 to schedule a consultation at the Hilger Clinic.
