What is a chemical facial peel?

A chemical peel is a treatment used to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin on the face and body. It works by dissolving the upper layers of the skin. As the tissue is dissolved, a wound is created on the skin which stimulates the body’s healing response, causing new tissue to emerge.

Chemical peels can be used to:

  • Improve the texture and look of the skin
  • Treat wrinkles and fine lines caused by sun damage and aging
  • Improve the appearance of mild scarring
  • Treat certain types of acne
  • Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark pigment due to hormones (melasma)
  • Help reduce the risk of skin cancer

How does a chemical peel reduce the risk of skin cancer?

Routinely receiving chemical peels will reduce skin cancer by exfoliating the mutated cells up and off of the skin. Areas of sun damage, which may contain pre-cancerous keratoses may improve after a peel treatment. Following treatment, new pre-cancerous lesions are less likely to appear.

Is a chemical peel right for me?

Before having a chemical facial peel, it’s important to know if a peel is the right treatment for the problems you have. Peels are good at improving certain conditions however there may be a superior treatment for what ails you. The best thing to do if you are looking to improve your skin is consult with our skin care team who has access to many treatment options.

Does a chemical peel hurt?

You should expect to feel a slight tingling sensation, warmth and tightening of the skin during a peel treatment. The deeper the chemical peel the more activity you will feel, sometimes a stinging or pin-prickling sensation is experienced.  Your aesthetician uses an activity scale from 1 to 5 to gauge your sensitivity to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

Is there recovery time?

The recovery time for a patient who has had a chemical peel will depend on the type and strength of the peel they’ve had. Treatments may cause redness, tightness, peeling, flaking, light scabbing or dryness. Some patients may not experience anything other than a smooth, radiant complexion following treatment, each individual is different. It is recommended that extended sun exposure be avoided, especially two weeks after your peel. With every peel you receive a post treatment kit of products to help heal the skin and increase your recovery time. Usually after 7-10 days your skin fully recovers.

What is the difference between a chemical peel and a facial?

Chemical peels and Facials are very beneficial treatments for your skin, but they are different. The chemical peel applications that we perform at JDV Med Spa are all medical grade peel solutions that help to correct a variety of skin conditions and maintain your skin’s health by increasing your cellular renewal rate and stimulating the deeper layers of live epidermal tissue. A facial is a much more relaxing, superficial treatment done to maintain healthy skin that is not in need of much correction.

Learn more about chemical facial peels or schedule your free chemical peel consultation.