How Often Can You Get Chemical Peels?

Did you know that a chemical peel is one of the oldest aesthetic treatments in the world? Today’s chemical peels are formulated with acids that can improve most of your visible skin concerns in only a few treatments. Learn everything you need to know about peel treatments before you schedule your first appointment at Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA.

In general, you can schedule peel treatments as often as needed to maintain your desired skin health and appearance. The depth of the peel is usually the most influential factor in your treatment frequency. Light peels can be done once a month to keep your skin in good condition, while medium peels can be done every few months.

Certain peels, such as those used to remove pre-cancerous lesions, can only be performed once every few years. This is because aggressive peels remove several deep layers of the skin at once to correct skin concerns. For people with very sensitive skin, peels may need to be scheduled further apart to allow for more skin recovery, even for light peel treatments.

The only way to assess how many treatments you will need to achieve your desired skin goals is to attend a consultation with a dermatologist. For most people, a series of three to six peels is enough to correct minor to moderate skin concerns when light to medium peels are used. Moderate to severe concerns may require additional treatments. If you are using a deep peel, a single treatment is powerful enough to address your concerns.

Chemical peels are highly versatile treatments that can be used to address almost every skin concern. Because peel treatments can be tailored to suit your goals, almost everyone can incorporate chemical exfoliation facial treatments into their routine to refine the appearance of their skin. The main uses for peel treatments include:

If you are concerned about the appearance of fine lines, regular peel facials can help. Medium-depth peel treatments can exfoliate the first few layers of the skin to remove the skin cells that contribute to the appearance of fine lines. In the process of healing from the peel, your skin will also produce natural collagen fibers, which can make the skin firmer and more youthful.

One of the most common skin concerns people have is hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by sun exposure, skin injury, or even medical conditions. If you are using skin-brightening products at home without much success, a professional peel treatment can be used to exfoliate your skin and remove dark spots, sun damage, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

A rough skin texture is difficult to deal with, especially in an era where “glass skin” is the ongoing trend. A rough skin texture can be caused by dryness, whiteheads, or irritation from skincare products. A peel facial can effectively smooth away rough skin texture by exfoliating the affected layers of the skin so you can enjoy a baby-soft facial canvas.

For many people, acne persists well into adulthood. When your at-home acne treatments aren’t effective enough to control your breakouts, a chemical peel may be a good solution. A peel can be effective for acne because this treatment will remove sebaceous filaments that can cause clogged pores, reduce oil production, and exfoliate dead skin cells that complicate the skin barrier. Over time, acne breakouts can be controlled with regular light peels.

Acne scars are also challenging to treat. Post-acne marks like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory erythema can last for several weeks or months for some people, but chemical exfoliation can buff these marks away. Textured acne scars, like shallow scars on the cheeks and enlarged pores, can also improve after several peel treatments because of skin resurfacing and new collagen production.

Pre-cancerous lesions like actinic keratosis can also be addressed with chemical peel treatments. Many dermatologists prefer a conservative treatment like a peeling facial to remove pre-cancerous cells when they first appear to prevent cancer development in the future. Compared to other treatments to remove pre-cancerous lesions, an aggressive peel is far more effective.

Chemical peel treatments are generally okay for all skin types, even sensitive skin. Your chemical peel treatment can be customized to meet the needs of your skin, regardless of whether you have oily skin, combination skin, or dry skin. This treatment can also be used for all skin tones, even medium and dark complexions. However, an aggressive peel is usually only appropriate for light complexions.

You can usually expect your facial appointments to take half an hour to complete. Before your treatment begins, your skin will be cleansed with a neutralizing cleanser to bring your skin’s surface to a neutral pH balance. This step is also important to remove any dirt, oil, makeup, or skincare products lingering on your skin.

Once your skin is clean, the chemical peel solution will be applied to your skin for about 15 to 20 minutes. After this period, the peel solution will be removed with a neutralizing agent. Then, we will apply soothing skin creams and sunscreen to protect your skin. Many people feel that peel facials are pampering treatments.

After your appointment, you may not be able to wear makeup for at least 12 to 24 hours. You may also be advised to stop using AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and retinoids at home for several days so your skin has enough time to recover. You should not scrub your skin, even if dead skin cells start flaking off. Keep your skin moisturized and your body hydrated for the best results.

Chemical peels are ideal for most patients, even those who have sensitive skin or mild skin concerns. This treatment can be scheduled frequently to maintain the desired condition and appearance of your skin. To schedule your first appointment, contact Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA.