What is a chemical peel?

As its name suggests, a chemical peel is a solution that is spread over the face to remove the top layers. These are the most vulnerable ones, most likely to sustain damage from the sun and the wear and tear of daily life.

Chemical peels are most efficient in:

• Improving acne or acne scars
• Diminishing fine lines and wrinkles
• Addressing uneven skin pigmentation, including Melasma
• Smoothing over rough skin and scaly patches
• Healing sun damaged skin

What kind of chemical peel should I choose?

Different kinds of chemical peels are designed to address various problems. Dr. Roy will customize your treatment based on specific skincare needs.

If you’re looking to address fine lines or rough scaly skin, a light chemical peel may be the treatment for you. The entire process takes 10-15 minutes.

A medium chemical peel penetrates deeper into the skin, past the top layer, and into the middle layer. It works for melasma, deeper acne scars or wrinkles. A mild retinol product may be a good choice for this treatment.

A deep chemical peel penetrates through the skin’s lowest layer and is used for profoundly damaged skin or visible scars. Before receiving a deep chemical peel, your skin will have to be pretreated, usually with a retinoic acid cream or gel, to thin out the skin’s surface layer. Then it will be easier for the deep chemical peel to penetrate the skin.

What is the recovery like following a chemical peel?

The length of the recovery period, as well as the duration of any side effects, depends on the kind of treatment you select. After a light chemical peel, you may experience some redness and stinging, but they will subside quickly. You should start seeing results in a few days.

Following a medium chemical peel, you may notice some slight color changes. The peeling process begins within 48 hours and lasts about a week. Be sure to keep your skin moisturized during this period.

Although a deep chemical peel has the longest recovery time, it also lasts for quite a while. After about two weeks, you’ll be able to resume all of your activities. You can expect the results to last as long as ten years.

Consult with Dr. Roy about which treatment is best for you. Call her at Niyan Medspa in Ashburn, Virginia, or book an appointment online. She’s available to answer all of your questions.