Peel Away the Signs of Aging

By Rosemary Verghese, MD

Mid-Atlantic Skin Surgery Institute

. https://midatlanticskinsurgery.com/

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Peel Away the Signs of Aging

Do you wish that you could simply peel signs of aging from your skin? A professional chemical peel can do just that. It's an easy way to improve the appearance of the skin and diminish many signs of aging on the face as well as the hands, neck, and chest.

What Can A Chemical Peel Do?

Chemical peels are commonly used to treat fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth. Wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors can often be reduced or even eliminated with this procedure. Mild scarring and certain types of acne also can be treated with chemical peels. In addition, pigmentation of the skin in the form of sun spots, age spots, and freckles, and skin that is dull in texture and color may be improved with chemical peeling.

Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are ideal candidates for chemical peels. However, darker skin types may also experience good results depending upon the type of skin problem encountered.

How Are Chemical

Peels Performed?

A chemical peel is typically performed in just one 15-30-minute appointment. At the time of treatment, the skin is thoroughly cleansed with an agent that removes excess oils, and the eyes and hair are protected. One or more chemical solutions are used based upon the type of skin damage present as well as the patient's desired outcomes. For a common light to mild peel, most patients experience a warm to somewhat hot sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a mild stinging sensation.

What Should Be

Expected After Treatment?

Depending upon the type of peel, a reaction similar to a sunburn occurs following a chemical peel. Superficial peeling usually involves redness, followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. It is important to avoid overexposure to the sun after a chemical peel since the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to complications.

Once the peeling process is complete, the newly regenerated skin will be smoother, brighter and generally look more youthful.

*This article is adopted from information provided by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.