What are chemical peels and what can they do for me?

A chemical peel is an accelerated form of exfoliation or skin renewal that is induced by the use of a chemical agent.

Chemical peels are great for use as anti aging treatments, acne treatments, scar treatments and also to refresh the skin periodically. It is healthy and necessary to exfoliate your skin on a regular basis to promote skin regeneration - especially due to the fact that as we age this process naturally slows down.

After a chemical peel your skin may or may not peel visibly, depending on the strength of peel used. The newly revealed skin will be smoother and will appear less wrinkled than the old skin, and may also be more even in color. In most cases repeated peels will remove even the deeper layers of damages. Thus, peeling is a "process" and not just a "one-time-event". A general recommendation is 6-8 treatments.

What are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)?

Alpha and beta-hydroxy acids are nontoxic substances derived from various natural sources, including citrus fruits, apples, sugar cane and sour milk. These acids affect both the epidermis and dermis, causing cells to shed more quickly and collagen layers to thicken. The two most common AHAs are glycolic and lactic acids. Salicylic acid is a BHA.

What are the differences between light/superficial, medium and deep peels?

AHAs and BHAs are considered light or superficial peels. They are used in lower concentrations by a trained skin care professional. The peeling/healing period or “downtime” for this type of exfoliation can be zero to 1 or 2 days, depending on the strength. For best results, anyone interested in skin peels should begin the process with light peels and progress to stronger, more effective treatments.

Medium depth peels use stronger concentrations or a combination of multiple acids to create a deeper effect on the skin than light or superficial peels. The peeling/healing period can be less than one week to 10 days.

Deep peels should be administered by a physician and often require sedation and lengthy healing periods.

All peels offered by Artisan Laser Skin Care are superficial, light or medium depth peels. Your eligibility for a chemical peel can be determined by scheduling a complimentary consultation with one of our Skin Care Professionals.
***You should not have a chemical peel if you will continue to have excessive sun or UV exposure. The outermost skin layers will be thinned and you will be more prone to sun damage without adequate sunblock.