A retinol peel is ideal if you want to rejuvenate, hydrate and refresh your complexion. If you have more specific skin concerns including acne or aging signs such as fine lines and wrinkles, then a retinol peel could be the perfect solution for you to reduce symptoms.
Lactic acid is another good starting peel because it's considered lightweight and gentle. It smooths skin, provides a glow, helps with minor wrinkles, and is better than glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and general skin discolorations.
The chemicals damage the outer layers of skin in a controlled way. After the procedure, the damaged skin becomes red and peels off. Chemical peels can remove age spots, acne scars, and some wrinkles. As the smoother skin underneath heals and grows, your skin looks younger.
For deeper wrinkles, a medium or deep chemical peel is the best option. For rough skin caused by sun damage, microdermabrasion or a light chemical peel will work. If you have severe damage or are at risk of melasma, medium or deep chemical peels are better suited.
Salicylic acid peels are also used as anti-aging peels. 1 While they can't erase deep lines and wrinkles, they can soften fine lines and give your complexion a boost. It is especially good at treating sun damage, too.
After your skin heals, apply daily sunscreen. You can wear makeup immediately after treatment or the next day. Additional peels may be repeated every two to five weeks until you achieve your desired results. Typically three to five peels are needed to achieve your goal.
Since the TCA peels exfoliate deeper into the dermis than a salicylic acid or glycolic acid peel, they have more potent and longer lasting results. That is why a TCA is typically used for quick treatment of a bad scar or freckles, and to lighten tattoos.
The deep peel contains high concentrations of trichloroacetic acid, and it's the most powerful of the chemical peels. While it produces more dramatic results than superficial or medium peels, it also requires a longer recovery time, and the procedure takes longer.
Chemical peels can be superficial, medium, or deep strength. TCA peels are considered medium strength, meaning they should only be applied by a certified skin care professional. The ideal candidate for a TCA peel: is not breastfeeding or pregnant.
Jessner peels are milder than TCA peels and are recommended for patients with darker skin tones or for those who suffer from melasma. Jessner peels can be used to improve the tone and texture of the skin, reduce the appearance of large pores, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Chemical Peels can effectively reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and even dark spots. They vary in strength, depending on your needs, and treatment can be completed in less than 30 minutes.
It usually takes several treatment sessions to see the desired outcomes. Most people notice some improvement after their first chemical peel, but with multiple treatments over the span of several months, patients will be astonished by how much better their skin looks.
Salicylic Acid Peels:
If your skin is on the oily side, I would recommend a salicylic peel. Salicylic acid not only will remove layers of damaged skin, but also penetrates deeper into the skin to reduce excess oil production, clearing up existing blemishes and helping to prevent future outbreaks.
Before and After Results of the Salicylic Peel Treatment
You may need to undergo 4 to 6 peels which can be done once in every 3-4 weeks. You will notice that your skin looks brighter than before once you complete the treatment.
Glycolic acid is an effective exfoliant, meaning it can remove dead skin cells. It's well suited to reducing hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. If you have acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is usually a better option. It can get rid of excess sebum and prevent or treat acne.
Retinoid or Retinol and Salicylic Acid
But on its own, each can dry out the skin, so together they should be combined with caution. The risk is overdrying, which can lead to irritation and make the situation worse.
Chemical peels generally work best on superficial imperfections; conversely, microneedling penetrates deeper to improve more troublesome issues. Many people with wrinkles find a combination of microneedling and chemical peels deliver the best results.
A chemical peel can cause treated skin to become darker than normal (hyperpigmentation) or lighter than normal (hypopigmentation). Hyperpigmentation is more common after superficial peels, while hypopigmentation is more common after a deep peel.
Chemical peels can reduce skin damage, giving the skin a more youthful or unblemished appearance. A dermatologist will recommend the most appropriate chemical peel depending on a person's concerns and skin type. Superficial peels are the safest for all skin types.
For these lines, a combination of Botox Cosmetic or Dysport and dermal filler, such as Restylane or Juvederm, would be the best solution to tackle those wrinkles. Although filler in the forehead is typically considered “off label,” it is more common than most people think it is.
A brow lift (also called a forehead lift) raises the brows in order to remove the appearance of forehead wrinkles and ease frown lines, and may also improve the appearance of the upper eye. The operation itself carefully removes excess fat and skin and tightens the muscles in the forehead area.
Resorcinol peel is effective in treating sun-damaged skin that has lost its luster and is finely wrinkled. It does not affect deep wrinkles. Three consecutive peels with 50% resorcinol at intervals of a few hours to 2 days give better results than one peel.