Chemical peels Cost and Picture - Treatment of Acne and Face scars by Chemical peels

Chemical peels come in many different varieties. They are best classified by the degree to which they penetrate the skin.

The term "peel" is really a misnomer, because not much peeling occurs. These peels cause an improvement in the skin that lasts from several weeks to months and need to be repeated to maintain their effect.

Salon-strength superficial peels are usually made from a low concentration of glycolic acid (an alphahydroxy acid), and are performed by staffs in salons and other spas.

These superficial peels gently exfoliate the skin, giving it a temporary, but refreshing healthy glow. Salon peels are probably insufficient to restore sun-damaged skin or to fade brown spots.

Prescription-strength superficial peels are made from varying concentrations of glycolic acid (usually 30 to 70 percent free-or available-acid), 20 to 30 percent salicylic acid, 10 percent trichloracetic acid (TCA), and an agent called Jessner's solution.

This type of peel is performed in a dermatologist's or plastic surgeon's office. The procedure gives the skin a healthy glow, and when repeated, reverses some of the features of sun-damaged skin. These peels can also help lessen irregular blotchiness and unwanted brown spots such as melasma.

Their effect on reversing sun damage and unwanted brown spots is enhanced with the use of daily bleaching creams, Azelex cream, or Retin-A. No sedation or local anesthesia is necessary for superficial chemical peels, as they are, at most, only slightly uncomfortable.

Medium-depth chemical peels can be performed with higher concentrations of TCA (20 to 40 percent), or by combining lower strengths of TCA with Jessner's peel or high strength glycolic acids. (Many dermatologists prefer medium-depth peels in a paste rather than liquid form, because pastes tend to give more consistent results.)

By definition, all medium-depth peels are deeper, more effective, and have a longer-lasting outcome than superficial chemical peels. One peel generally lasts for up to a year. They are usually reserved for people who want to improve moderate to severe sun damage, or (less commonly) to remove unwanted pigmentation and precancerous growths called solar keratoses.

Because medium-depth peels can be quite uncomfortable, an oral sedative is often prescribed prior to the procedure. Peeling can last from several days to two weeks, so these individuals may want to take a few days off from work after such a procedure.

Risks include severe peeling, increased irregular pigmentation, activation of herpes infection on the face, and scarring.

These risks are uncommon. Deep chemical peels are comparable in strength to laser skin resurfacing, and are usually performed with a chemical called phenol. As with laser resurfacing, they are best reserved for people who want to reverse the effects of severe sun damage and wrinkles.

Phenol peels, like the super pulsed CO2 laser, also help reduce acne scarring and unwanted brown spots. The result of a phenol peel is very long lasting and usually does not need to be repeated. Unlike lasers, phenol peels have been performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons for over thirty years and thus have a very good track record.

Used primarily to decrease the appearance of wrinkles, sun spots, and blotchiness, and to enhance an overall healthy glow to the skin, chemical peels are not substitutes for face-lifts and do not repair sagging skin.

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