Which Facial Peel is Right for Me?
A facial peel, also called a chemical peel, is a cosmetic treatment that involves applying a special solution to the patient’s skin, typically on the face. The solution causes the topmost layer or layers of the skin to peel away, revealing unblemished and pristine skin. Chemical peels vary widely in strength, and there are three general types: light or superficial, medium and deep peels.
Superficial Peels
Superficial chemical peels are gentle and remove only the epidermis, thus leaving the client with smoother and brighter skin. Superficial peels can also minimize sun damage, acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.
These peels are most commonly made from alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA) or beta hydroxyl acids (BHA). AHAs include citric, glycolic and lactic acids, while salicylic acid is a BHA. Some superficial peels are made from fruit enzymes or acids from plants.
This type of facial peel does not generally require a recovery time. The client’s skin may flake a little and be a little pink after the treatment, but these effects soon fade. The client may need a series of facial peel sessions to get the desired results.
Medium Peels
Medium peels remove several layers of skin along with the epidermis. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the solution most commonly used for medium peels. These treatments penetrate deeply into the skin and may be used to treat wrinkles, discoloration and damage caused by sun exposure.
While a medium facial peel produces more dramatic results than a superficial peel, the recovery takes some time. The treatment is also more uncomfortable than that of a superficial peel.
Deep Peels
Deep peels are the most potent. They remove multiple skin layers and can, thus, permanently remove freckles and other discolorations. They also smooth out deep wrinkles. Deep peels should not be undertaken lightly. They usually require about a week or two of recovery time. However, they do tend to produce the most dramatic results.
Contact Our Office Today
Pierre Skin Care Institute is proud to offer a variety of facial peel treatments. Chemical peels are not one-size-fits-all. The right peel for one client will not be the same as the right peel for another client. During a consultation at our office in Thousand Oaks, you can learn about all of our peels, including which one is likely to give you the results you desire. We happily serve clients in the Westlake Village and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
