Here’s what a chemical peel does to your skin

If you’ve been considering skin peels to get rid of acne scarring, age spots or wrinkles, then you’ll want to know exactly what the procedure does to your skin before you take the plunge. Skin peels are a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, but that’s not to say that they don’t leave their mark.

What is a chemical peel?

Generally speaking, chemical peels use acid to break down the surface layers of the skin and reveal a fresher, softer layer underneath. There are different ‘levels’ of skin peel available depending on how deep the chemicals go. Most common skin peels are relatively superficial, taking just the very top layer of the skin away; these kinds of skin peels are perfect for diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes, particularly in the run-up to a big event. There’s little recovery time needed at all for such a peel.

Medium and deep level skin peels are another matter; these can require days or even weeks of recovery, and use much stronger concentrations of acid. The deeper penetration of the peels can make a big difference to the results; these kinds of peels are very effective in treating acne scars, sun damage, and baggy skin. While deeper skin peels may put you out of action for a little longer, their effects will also last a very long time.

How does it work?

The chemicals used in skin peel procedures react with your skin and cause the surface-level dermal layer of dead skin to dissolve. This will even out your skin tone and refresh your complexion – a bit like a stronger kind of exfoliant. That’s not all, though; the damage to the skin caused by the chemical peel actually triggers your body to build new collagen, which helps to keep your skin supple and flexible. In other words, a chemical skin peel doesn’t just rid you of dead skin, it also ensures the new skin underneath will look younger and healthier for longer.

Chemical peels can be a cost-effective and non-invasive way to rejuvenate the skin, and they’re not just for your face, either. But it’s important, before undergoing any medical or cosmetic procedure, to understand exactly what is happening to your body first. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’ve got any questions or queries about skin peels and other rejuvenation therapies.