Problems such as uneven skin tone, dry skin, and enlarged pores can make your complexion less than ideal. However, with professional exfoliation from chemical peels, you can address all of your superficial skin concerns at one time and improve the overall health of your skin. Learn everything you need to know about this aesthetic treatment before you visit Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX
How Often Should You Get Chemical Peels?
In general, the frequency of your chemical peel treatments will depend on the depth of your peel. Dermatologists assess the best frequency for your treatment based on your skin sensitivity and other factors such as your skin type, the health of your moisture barrier, and any other exfoliating products you may be using regularly.
For example, if you frequently use AHAs, BHAs, retinoids, and other chemical exfoliants at home, you may not need to have chemical peel treatments as often as people who do not incorporate these products into their everyday skin care. The goal of a peel is to remove the layer of skin that is causing superficial skin concerns, without overwhelming the skin or over-stripping skin cells.
Light Peels
Light peels tend to use gentler acids, such as lactic acid and salicylic acid, to exfoliate the skin. Because these acids do not penetrate more than the surface layer of skin cells, you can use this treatment very frequently to enhance the appearance of your skin.
Many people schedule this treatment once a month to maintain their desired skin appearance. However, if you have particularly sensitive skin or you use other potentially irritating skin products, you may only need this treatment once every six to eight weeks.
Medium Peels
Medium peels are generally formulated with stronger acids that penetrate the upper and middle dermal layers. Because these treatments use stronger chemicals, you will generally need to have a medium peel once every three to four months based on your skin type and skin concerns. Our Obagi Blue Peel is a medium-strength anti-aging peel that renews healthy skin cells and directly addresses many visible signs of aging.
Deep Peels
Deep peels are rarer than light and medium peels. Because deep peels use very strong acids to exfoliate many dermal layers at one time, many dermatologists consider this a medical dermatology treatment. Specifically, since deep peels remove so many layers of skin at one time, this treatment is generally reserved for treating extreme sun damage or precancerous lesions. You can use a deep peel once a year or once every few years.
Which Peel Should You Choose?
Choosing the best exfoliating peel for you will depend on your specific skin concerns, your skin type, your skin goals, and other treatments you may be using. For the most part, people do very well incorporating light peels into their normal skincare routine, but if you have age-related concerns, a medium peel may be a better fit for you.
What Can Chemical Peels Help With?
Chemical peels are highly effective treatments that can tackle multiple skin concerns at one time. Because this treatment is so diverse, many people use peels as a foundation of their skin care routine. Some of the specific concerns a peel can help address can include sun damage, age spots, dark spots, melasma, fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, post-inflammatory erythema, and much more.
For people who have acne-prone skin, chemical peels can be an effective way to care for the skin. Because peels exfoliate the top layer of skin cells, they can also remove deep impurities in the pores and kill acne-causing bacteria. Some people may also use peels regularly to address chronic skin concerns, such as rosacea.
How Many Treatments Will You Need for Best Results?
To get the best results, you will need to have this treatment consistently. For light peels, using this treatment monthly for the foreseeable future can help you achieve your ideal results. If you’re using a medium peel, such as our Obagi Blue Peel, you may need a series of four to six treatments to achieve optimal anti-aging results.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
A peel is similar to any other facial. During your treatment, we will cleanse your skin to remove any dirt, oil, or other impurities. Cleansing is also important to balance the pH of your skin, so you can have the best reaction to the acid used for your treatment.
After the chemical has been applied to your skin for about 20 minutes, we will use a neutralizing cleanser to remove the acid. Your facial is usually followed up with a soothing skin serum and sunscreen.
What Should You Do Before Treatment?
Because a peel will deeply exfoliate your skin, it’s important to discontinue the use of at-home exfoliants for at least one week before your treatment. This means that you should stop using salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinol, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or any other exfoliants that may be part of your normal skincare routine. You should also avoid manual exfoliation, such as sugar scrubs or roughly washing the skin.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
After treatment, it’s important to avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours. You should also avoid washing your face with harsh cleansers, including micro-beaded or sugar cleansers. Oil-based cleansers are typically the most gentle on your skin after a peel. It’s a good idea to avoid hot water, steam, saunas, and intense sweating for at least 24 hours as well.
After your treatment, you will need to wear sun protection consistently for at least two weeks. Additionally, you will want to use gentle cleansers and moisturizers to soothe your skin. After exfoliating, moisturizing your skin is important to speed up recovery and ensure your results develop optimally.
How Quickly Will You See Results?
Usually, you will be able to see the results of chemical peel treatments a few days after your appointment. When dead skin cells fall away from your skin, your skin will appear brighter, tighter, and more youthful.
How Long Will Results Last?
The results of your peel will usually last for several weeks. For light peels, you will be able to enjoy the results for two to three weeks, depending on the condition of your skin. Because medium peels can exfoliate deeper layers of the skin, the results of this treatment can usually last for four to six weeks or longer.
How Can You Maintain Your Results?
Maintaining your results comes down to how well you can take care of your skin. Having both good skin care habits and consistent suncare can make a huge difference in how long results will last.
Active Skincare
In particular, you will want to use skincare products that contain active ingredients that are beneficial for your skin. For example, if you have age-related goals, using products that contain vitamin C, retinol, and collagen will help you limit the visible signs of aging. For general skin wellness, using products that contain amino acids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can also be highly beneficial.
Consistent Suncare
It’s important for your suncare to be consistent. When you wear sunscreen every day, you’re providing your skin with a consistent layer of protection that will prevent visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and other superficial skin concerns.
Do Dermatologists Recommend Peels?
Dermatologists are huge fans of chemical peels because these treatments can be customized to meet the precise needs of your skin type, skin sensitivity, and skin concerns. Because peels can address multiple concerns at one time, professionals often recommend this treatment as a first option to address most superficial skin concerns.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Most likely, you are a good candidate for this treatment. There are very few restrictions that apply to this aesthetic facial. However, if you have a sunburn, active psoriasis or eczema flare-up, or you’re currently pregnant, you may not be able to use this treatment.
Additionally, if you’ve used a laser treatment or other energy-based treatment on your face within the last two weeks, you may need to postpone your appointment until your skin condition has improved.
Improve the Appearance of Your Skin
Superficial skin concerns can sometimes be frustrating to handle, particularly when all of your at-home efforts aren’t paying off. However, treatments such as chemical peels can effectively exfoliate your skin, improve your skin health, and enhance your skin appearance. Contact Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX to schedule your consultation today.
