Beautiful, glowing skin is the goal for many people. Bright, clear skin can make you feel confident. However, for many, this kind of skin doesn’t come naturally.
Without the proper care, pores can become clogged, and dead cells can build up, resulting in dull and congested skin. This is where chemical peels come in handy.
Chemical peels are a great tool to reveal youthful, glowing skin. These are powerful treatments that must be used correctly to see the best results. So, how often should you get a chemical peel?
What Are Chemical Peels?
First, let’s understand what a chemical peel is. Chemical peels are treatments that use a chemical solution meant to improve the appearance of your skin. These treatments achieve this through chemical exfoliation.
Chemical exfoliation removes the top layers of skin, taking issues such as dark spots and clogged pores with it. The new layers of skin are more youthful, are often smoother with fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and have a brighter complexion.
There are different kinds of chemical peels that use different chemicals to address specific skin issues. Chemical peels also vary by strength, with light, medium, and deep peels, which all target different things.
Some chemical peels are done in-office by professional dermatologists and estheticians. Others can be bought from skincare brands and done by consumers in their own homes.
Types of Chemical Peels
As stated, there are different types of chemical peels: light, medium, and deep. This refers to how deeply the treatment goes into the layers of the skin.
Light Chemical Peels
Light chemical peels have mild peeling agents and work on the skin superficially, affecting only the top layer of the skin. These peels are pretty much equivalent to an aggressive exfoliation.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and Beta hydroxy acids (BHA) are the common active ingredients. Common AHAs include citric, lactic, and glycolic acids. Salicylic acid is the most common BHA.
Medium Chemical Peels
Medium chemical peels penetrate a little bit deeper into the skin. These tend to target issues such as sun damage, acne scars, and discoloration.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is one of the most common kinds of medium-depth peels. They come in various strengths and may be combined with other acids at a lower percentage.
Deep Chemical Peels
Deep peels penetrate the furthest into the skin layers. These peels are longer-lasting but often require a longer recovery time.
Because of the nature of these chemicals, deep chemical peels must be done by professionals.
Benefits of a Chemical Peel
Chemical peels offer plenty of benefits to rejuvenate the skin. Each type of chemical peel can offer special benefits to your skin.
Light peels offer mild exfoliation and encourage healthy cell turnover. They can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation. They can also help control oil production for acne-prone skin.
Going a little deeper, medium peels can address deeper wrinkles and deep acne scars. If you have damage from the sun or other strong pigmentation, opt for a medium-strength chemical peel.
Deep chemical peels are usually reserved for more severe versions of the above skin issues. In general, a chemical peel’s primary benefits are to bring you healthier, glowing, and more youthful-looking skin.
How Often Should You Get a Chemical Peel?
Exactly how often should you get a chemical peel? Well, it depends on the kind of chemical peel.
Light chemical peels, because they have mild acids in them, can be scheduled more regularly. In general, you can receive these treatments somewhere between every few weeks to once a month.
Medium chemical peels should be done less frequently. You should only do these once every few months, to give your skin time to heal in between. Deep peels should only be done every few years because of their strong nature.
Your skin type will affect the kind of chemical peel you should get, as well as how often you should get them. A professional can help evaluate your skin and set up a healthy schedule for you.
At-Home vs. Professional Chemical Peel
With the rise of skincare, many people have found chemical peels that may be purchased in-store and done in their own home. But, are these at-home peels safe to use?
In general, yes, at-home chemical peels are safe to use. However, it’s important to note that these products are not as effective as ones that are offered by a professional because the ingredients are much milder.
You must also be careful about using at-home chemical peels correctly. Incorrect use can lead to mild burns or other issues.
Chemical Peel Aftercare
Another important aspect of chemical peels is the aftercare. Correct chemical peel aftercare is essential for taking care of your skin and enjoying the best results.
No matter what kind of chemical peel you receive, your skin is often in a more fragile state. You want to be sure to keep your skin moisturized to help it recover after the exfoliation.
It’s also important to protect your skin from the sun. Post-chemical peel, your skin is much more susceptible to sun damage. Reduce direct sun exposure as much as you can. If you’re in the sun, be sure to use strong sunscreen.
Get Glowing Skin With a Chemical Peel
Clear skin, even tone, and glowing radiance are often the goals many people set for themselves. While there are many products that can help achieve these goals, chemical peels are among the best.
Chemical peels are a strong treatment that can help reveal brighter, glowing, and more youthful-looking skin. So, how often should you get a chemical peel? It depends on the type of peel and the condition of your skin.
Reveal your best skin with the help of Popp Cosmetic Surgery. Our experts will create a tailored treatment to help you reach your beauty goals. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 391-4558 to get started.
