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There are many chemical peels available to help with the problems
of
your skin. While some people consider a chemical peel to eliminate
wrinkles or remove pre-cancerous skin lesions, others want to
correct fine lines on their faces and improve their skin texture and
radiance.
For this procedure, a chemical solution is applied to the skin which
causes it to eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is
usually smooth and less wrinkled than the older skin.
As you age, you may find you don’t look as youthful as you would
like. A facelift is costly and can have severe health risks. Using a
chemical peel to aid you in gaining back a more youthful appearance
may be the answer you’re looking for.
Let’s look at some of the factors to consider when deciding if a
chemical peel is the right choice for you.
To improve the texture and smoothness of your face, a strong
solution of chemicals is applied. This mixture causes the skin to
blister and peel. Although chemical peels can be purchased, having a
professional dermatologist or plastic surgeon administer the
procedure is usually recommended.
There are three kinds of chemical peels:
MILD- uses a series of six to eight sessions with 2-3 week periods
in
between. The skin is slightly red for a day afterwards. This peel is
used to help dry skin, acne, liver spots, sun spots, to diminish
fine facial wrinkles and pore size, and to improve overall skin
texture.
MEDIUM- removes larger wrinkles and pre-cancerous skin lesions. This
peel is applied once every few years and the skin is burned for
about a week afterwards, during which time the patient needs to stay
inside, out of the sun.
DEEP- This process eliminates larger wrinkles and can have a
facelift
like effect. The skin remains damaged for a month or two after the
treatment. This peel can actually bleach the skin, so is not used on
dark skin. The bleaching can be permanent.
The mild and medium peels use a liquid or paste which is applied to
the face with a brush, gauze or other applicator. The chemical is
then
removed with water or alcohol. For the mild procedure, no time off
of
work is needed to recover. The medium process is left on longer and
there is some pain afterwards. Most doctors will prescribe a pain
killer to help the patient. You will need to take a day or two off
work to recover. Deep chemical peels require a general anesthetic
and pain killers. This is a very painful cosmetic plastic surgery
procedure, can take months to heal and you will need time off of
work.
It’s best to talk over all the available procedures with your
doctor. Then a decision can be made whether or not you have the
right skin to gain the most benefit without resulting in too much
permanent damage. If a chemical peel is not a viable option for you,
your doctor will be able to recommend a more suitable solution.
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