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Where looking good is understood!
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
The Appeal of Chemical Peels
Many of our patients are looking for one more way to improve their skin, and a chemical peel is a great way to help with various skin problems. This month’s newsletter is about chemical peels.
The concept of chemical peeling has been around for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used sour milk and animal oils to enhance the appearance of skin. Today we use a variety of substances, primarily acids, to perform the procedure.
The goal of chemical peeling is to destroy the superficial portions of the skin in a controlled manner. Proper healing forms a renewed epidermis and upper dermis (the upper layers of the skin). This results in the disappearance of unwanted lesions and a rejuvenated appearance. Chemical peeling agents are categorized by the depth of injury within the skin. Superficial peels destroy tissue above the upper papillary dermis. Deeper peels (medium and deep) penetrate to the level of the deeper dermis. Deeper peels are more effective, requiring fewer treatments, but also have a greater risk of complications. In our practice, we prefer to use our erbium laser to perform deep peels.
Superficial peels are generally safe and well tolerated. The healing and recovery period is relatively short.
We use numerous agents to perform chemical peels. Most of these are weak to moderately potent acids. The same agent can be used at different concentrations, or combined with other techniques to produce varying levels of exfoliation. The most popular agent used for chemical peels is acids such as glycolic acid, retinoic acid, and salicylic acid. These can be used at varying strengths to provide the effect desired.
You may require several peels for a noticeable difference, but this is one of the ways you can get your skin looking better. Many individuals use chemical peels as a way to help enhance the appearance of their skin and keep the skin healthy.
Who is a good candidate for a chemical peel to help with photoaging?
The best candidates for chemical peels are patients with lighter skin coloration. This skin type is categorized as Fitzpatrick type 1 or 2 skin. They are fair complexioned with light eyes.
These patients tend to also be the ones that are susceptible to photodamage and development of lesions that are amenable to chemical peeling therapy. Peels for photoaging can also be done on darker skin types, but may require special preparation and they are also more prone to complications.
What types of photoaging (sun damage) problems can be helped by chemical peels?
Sun spots, actinic keratosis (age spots), and fine rhytids (wrinkles.)
Can chemical peels help patients with acne?
Patients with acne are also great candidates for salicylic acid peels, as the acid penetrates the sebaceous glands. The peel also helps to exfoliate and turn over the skin, keeping the pores unplugged.
What parts of the body can a peel be performed on?
A chemical peel can be performed on nearly any portion of the skin. Many of our patients with photoaging have their face, neck, and hands peeled. Patients with acne can have the face peeled, or even the back, if the acne is active in this area.
How is a chemical peel performed?
You first need to schedule a consultation with our physicians to determine if a chemical peel can help with your skin problem. Some patients are placed on topical agents for days or even weeks ahead of the peel to help “prep” the skin for a better peel.
When patients arrive at the office on the day of the peel, we use alcohol, acetone, or a combination of both to degrease the skin before the peel. The chemical is then applied to the face in an even fashion, and timed as to the length it is left on the skin. The patient may experience some stinging of the skin during this part of the process. We usually have the patient apply a small battery-operated fan to the face for several minutes. The chemical is then removed, and a moisturizer is applied. The peeling portion of the process actually takes place several days later.
How much “downtime” does a chemical peel involve?
Minimal. Remember that the actual “peeling” portion takes place a day or two later. You may leave the office with some redness to your face, but can go back to work.
What are some complications of chemical peels?
Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation rarely occur with superficial peels but are more common with medium and deep peels.
Scarring, persistent redness, and infection can also occur. Persons with a history of cold sores (herpes simplex virus) need to tell the physician that they have a history of this, so they can be place on anti viral medication to prevent an outbreak.
How do I go about seeing if a peel will help my skin?
Call us at 816.505.5550 to schedule an appointment. Many times patients also have a facial performed at the same time, if it can be scheduled together.
This Month’s Special
This month we would like to offer a “Beta Lift” Salicylic Acid Chemical Peel for only $65! Get your skin revitalized after all the summer sun damage. Please call us to schedule- you must be deemed an appropriate candidate to have a peel performed.
Please let us know if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our aestheticians for a facial at the same time.
Our monthly newsletter has drawn to a close. Check out our website at www.integratedskin.com. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list notify us at info@integratedskin.com (send your email address in a separate message- a reply to this Newsletter will not contain your email address).
Sincerely,
John Carter, MD, Julianne Mazurek, MD
Donetta Taylor and Jennifer Pray, Aestheticians
Integrated Skin Solutions
7424 NW River Park Drive (Hwy 9)
Parkville, MO 64152-5028
816.505.5550
Fax 816.505.4550
www.integratedskin.com
Questions or comments- info@integratedskin.com
