For many acne sufferers, nothing works as quickly as a chemical peel to remove acne blemishes. A chemical peel is a medical procedure in which chemicals are applied to the skin to “burn” the top layer of skin. Chemical peels are performed by a specialist (usually a dermatologist) and the environment in which they are performed must be clean. The client’s face is washed to remove excess oils and then the hair and eyes are covered as the chemicals can cause irritation. In many cases, pain relievers are given to control the pain that can occur with deeper peels, but often giving a sedative is not necessary.
Various chemicals are used in this process and the choice depends on the level of burn you require and the effects you want to achieve.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), which come in the form of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and fruit acid, are used in superficial peels designed to smooth rough skin and improve skin texture. AHA peels can be performed in under 10 minutes, but while this is the quickest way to remove acne blemishes, they may need to be performed multiple times before you can really appreciate the results. Some people speed up the process by applying a cream that contains AHAs day and night. After an AHA peel, it is normal for skin to appear dry and reddish before flaking and peeling (usually after five days).
- Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) is used for medium peels to control fine lines and reduce surface blemishes. TCA peels take a little longer than AHA peels, but like these, TCA peels require several more sessions before you can actually see significant results. Tingling may be felt after the procedure, in which case taking painkillers can be of great help. Crusting and some degree of swelling are to be expected after a TCA peel, but should only last about a week. After that you can see how new skin develops.
- Carbolic acid is the chemical of choice for deep peels. Carbolic acid is stronger and powerful enough to treat even the roughest wrinkles. How long phenol peels take depends on the extent of the peeling. If only a small area is affected, the procedure can be performed in just under 15 minutes, if the peeling affects the whole face it can take up to two hours. After the procedure, the specialist applies petroleum jelly to the treated area. Additional sessions may not be required. After the treatment, however, you should expect your face to be a little swollen, so don’t be surprised if you can’t open your eyes afterwards. Your dermatologist may also discourage you from speaking as it can stretch your skin. Your skin will look red for the first few weeks, but once the healing process is complete you will appreciate your new look.
If you must opt for chemical peels, have your dermatologist explain the details of the procedure to you. You need to be aware of the dos and don’ts of what you’re getting yourself into. One very important thing to understand is that it can take some time for the healing process to complete and while healing is still taking place, stay out of the sun as much as possible as too much sun exposure can reverse the effects of chemical peels. You may also need to avoid using cosmetics during the healing process as they can negatively interact with the chemicals.
Thanks to Alyna E. Roberts | #Whats #Fastest #Remove #Acne #Blemishes
