Simply put, a chemical peel is a treatment in which different solutions are applied to the skin with the end goal of “peeling” away layers of the skin. These solutions often include acids such as Glycolic Acid (a.k.a. Alpha Hydroxy Acid), Salicylic Acid (a.k.a Beta Hydroxy Acid), Trichloroacetic Acid and Retinoic Acid to name a few.
These acids are particularly effective at exfoliating the skin, bringing about newer, fresher skin to the surface. Shedding the outer layers of the skin—which is exactly what chemical peels do—uncovers skin that has enhanced tone, texture and color.
While chemical peels are especially good for reviving the skin, they are also used to treat specific skin problems. These include:
- Hyperpigmentation/discoloration such as melasma
- Sun spots such as freckles
- Sun damaged skin such as actinic keratoses
- Age spots such as seborrheic keratoses
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne
- Acne scars
Peels differ in how deeply they penetrate through the skin and how much downtime is involved after the treatment. Depending on the level of the peel, there are varying degrees of redness, irritation, and flaky skin after the treatment. Often, several treatments over a period of time are needed to achieve the desired result.
This month we are featuring the VI Peel
™
which contains a combination of powerful acids and vitamins used to improve the clarity, tone, and texture of the skin. It is specially formulated to rejuvenate the skin and treat age spots, hyperpigmentation such as melasma, acne, and acne scarring. This peel is suitable for a variety of skin types.