Chemical Peels

There comes a time in every woman’s life when she glances in the mirror and realizes her once glowing, dewy skin looks a bit drab. Perhaps those fine lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles, and age spots have begun to bother you like never before. As the years wear on, the need becomes ever more apparent. If that’s you, you may find yourself in need of a chemical peel.

Chemical peels are a great way to stimulate new skin growth and peel back layers of dead skin to reveal fresh, glowing skin. At Aiken, we’ve got you covered with all your chemical peel needs. We are excited to be able to offer this service to you to restore that youthful, glowing appearance you so desperately crave.

What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are precisely that – acid, which is applied to the skin, that goes to work removing dead, old skin while revealing fresh new layers of skin underneath.

New skin cell regeneration occurs within the process, and what’s left behind is a fresher version of you. Essentially, it improves the skin’s look and feel.
There are different types of chemical peels, and different degrees of peeling can be achieved. A light peel can be performed if you only want to focus on peeling the top layer or two of dead skin. You could take it further with a medium chemical peel, targeting old, dead skin plus some superficial lines and wrinkles.

A deeper peel will be necessary if you’d rather target those deeper lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines, and age spots. It’s important to note that a deep peel will require a longer healing time.

Light chemical peels usually take 4-7 days to recover from, and you’ll typically experience some light discomfort, such as peeling skin and flakiness. Medium peels will require about the same time frame to heal, perhaps a day or two longer, and with it, you will experience dry, flaky skin and a burning sensation. Deep peels will require a more extended period of healing, somewhere around a week and a half to two weeks. With a deep peel, there will be more side effects than a light or medium peel, such as swelling, redness, and scabbing, but none should last for more than two weeks.

How Do Chemical Peels Work?

Chemical peels work by applying a high pH acid, such as Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), trichloroacetic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid to the skin, rendering the skin’s cells and layers helpless to hold on, and thus exfoliating them from the bond they once had with the layers of skin below. What’s left behind is new, fresh skin. The process in and of itself stimulates new skin cell growth. This will be activated while your body kicks into overdrive, trying to repair and replace the skin that’s been removed.

The type of acid used depends upon the depth of the peel you’re going for. You may need multiple appointments, generally spaced 1-2 months apart, to complete various peeling sessions for your skin’s health and safety. Your skincare specialist will be able to discuss the best treatment for you based on your goals and take it from there.

Chemical peels should only be done within reason, and if the spacing is suggested between appointments, it’s essential to adhere to the recommendations for those services. Serious side effects with deep peels may occur, such as heart and kidney damage, if you don’t stick to the proper timeline – so to avoid that, spacing is a must.

After your treatment, it’s recommended not to undergo another light peel for at least six months, whereas deep peels should only be completed once every three or more years.

Contrary to popular belief, chemical peels aren’t just for your face. They can be completed on the face, of course, but they can also be applied to the neck and the back of the hands. The same result applies to those areas if treated. So, if you wish your hands looked years younger or want to be rid of those pesky sunspots, a chemical peel might be the solution you need.

Who Are
Chemical Peels For?

Chemical peels are for anyone over the age of 18 who is not pregnant or nursing, or undergoing treatment for any medical condition, who finds themselves dealing with any of the following:

  • Dry, dull skin
  • Fine lines and light wrinkles
  • 11 lines or glabellar lines
  • Crows’ feet or laugh lines
  • Age spots or sunspots
  • Discoloration of the skin
  • Uneven skin tone or complexion
  • Deep wrinkles
  • Acne and acne scars

There are other reasons to consider a chemical peel, such as if you’ve been told you may have pre-cancerous spots you’d like to remove and phase out.

What Are the Benefits of Chemical Peels?

The benefits of chemical peels are many, such as:

  • Renewed, fresh skin
  • Skin cell growth regeneration
  • Lessened wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots
  • Elevated confidence
  • Minimization of large pores
  • Even skin tone
  • Complexion balancing
  • Less scarring
  • More youthful appearance

What Do Chemical Peels Feel Like?

While chemical peels aren’t generally considered the most pleasant experience, it’s nothing a strong woman like you can’t handle.

There are variables in the severity of symptoms you will experience based on the depth of the peel you are going for. Someone experiencing a light peel may only experience peeling, flaking, possible redness, and irritation.
If one were to undergo a medium peel, they would experience all the symptoms one with a light peel would experience, with the possibility of some light swelling and scabbing. Deep peels carry the most side effects, with all the previously mentioned potential side effects plus more severe swelling, redness, burning and stinging, irritation, and the potential for scarring.
While these things make for an uncomfortable week or two, the benefits of the beauty your new skin will bring you will more than likely outweigh the bad.

What Do
Chemical Peels Cost?

Chemical peels vary in expense based on many factors.

For instance, the cost will be less if you’re only getting a light peel that doesn’t require heavier products and more time. If you’re undergoing a series of peels that are a bit more intense, the cost will be more.

The location you choose to complete your peel may charge depending on other places in your area. It is important to note that you should always choose a reputable location to complete your chemical peel – like Aiken. Here at Aiken, we pride ourselves on the safety and health of all our customers and will ensure you are well taken care of.

Most chemical peels range from $500 for a light peel to well over $6,000 for a deep peel. Services, prices, and treatment options will vary. Schedule a consultation to learn about which chemical peel is right for you.

Common FAQs

If you’re getting a light peel, usually not. For medium and deep peels, yes. You will need time to recover, recuperate, and rest to speed up the healing process. Deep peels will require you to take a couple of days off. You will most likely be bandaged and need ointments, creams, and other product applications while healing, so taking that much time to rest is imperative.

Chemical peels shouldn’t necessarily hurt, per se, but they can be pretty uncomfortable. There may be some burning, itching, and ­severe irritation. Depending upon your pain threshold, it may be slightly painful for some. Since everyone is different, it’s difficult to say what one person’s experience will be to the next. The healing process might be where you experience some of the most uncomfortable symptoms due to the skin trying to heal. You may experience itching, burning, and scabbing during that period.

If you experience pain or swelling after a chemical peel, you may want to use emollient-rich ointments and creams to protect the skin and promote healing. You can also use ice to calm swelling or take pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen which will manage inflammation and reduce pain.

You should avoid any chlorinated water, such as that of a pool, and stay out of any bodies of water like the beach or lakes due to the presence of bacteria that could cause infection. You may be able to wear makeup if you’ve just had a light peel, but you should wait at least a day or two to give the skin time to heal. If you’ve had a medium or deep peel, it may be necessary to wait a couple of weeks before applying any cosmetics to give the skin time to heal. You should also avoid any exfoliation products and under-moisturizing the skin. Wear a hat to shield your skin if you plan on going outdoors. Be sure also to use sunscreen as the new skin will burn quickly.

It may require a few treatment sessions before you see any results. Most people tend to see results after two sessions, though everyone will experience different results.

Depending on the end goal and what you are trying to accomplish, they may. It may require at least two or three sessions to get the desired results.

Get Started With
Aiken Aesthetics

At Aiken Medical Aesthetics, we genuinely believe all women should feel and look their absolute best. That’s why our team of experienced skincare specialists works with you to develop a skincare plan to meet all of your target needs. We want you to be confident and happy in your skin – and there’s no greater compliment for us than to see you thoroughly satisfied with the results.

If you’re ready to start your skincare journey, please reach out and schedule a consultation so we can discuss your skincare concerns. We are here for you.

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