What are chemical peels?

A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that promotes various levels of new tissue growth resulting in smoother, more youthful skin for your face. Chemical peels use a variety of formulations to achieve desired effects, from mild to major. Peels can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on your face, as well as reducing or eliminating skin discoloration and uneven skin tone.

The name “peel” comes from the fact that the chemicals used cause the skin to shed and peel off, similar to the after-effects of a sunburn, but in a more controlled manner and without harmful ultraviolet light. However, new skin after a peel is more sensitive to sun exposure. Peel strength can be roughly divided into three classes.

What are the various strengths of chemical peels?

“Lunchtime” peels are the most superficial of the three strengths. Lunchtime peels entail no recovery downtime so you can literally have one on your lunch break. These peels use mild acids, such as alpha-hydroxy acid, which penetrates only the outer layer of skin. Their effects are noticeable, but less dramatic than stronger peels.

Medium-strength peels typically use glycolic or trichloroacetic acids, stronger chemicals that penetrate both the outer and middle layers of the skin. Attacking age spots and stronger discolorations, medium peels can also smooth out rough patches of skin and can treat actinic keratosis, a precancerous growth of the skin.

Deep peels use trichloroacetic acid or phenol to deeply penetrate the middle skin layer, removing moderate lines, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, and other discolorations. Shallow scars such as those associated with acne may also show improvement.

How do VI Peels work?

VI Aesthetics created the first painless peel when its creator, Dr. Khalil, sought a better solution against the effects of acne, from which his daughter suffered. The VI Peel is formulated to improve age-related skin tone, melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne, and mild to moderate rosacea.

A VI Peel also encourages the production of collagen, an important protein that can lead to skin that is more youthful in appearance and firm in texture. The treatment also works well when combined with laser treatments as well as injectables, such as Botox and dermal fillers.

The VI Peel must be administered by a trained and licensed practitioner and cannot be purchased at the retail level for home use.

To learn more about the benefits of the VI Peel, call the office or book an appointment online today.