Guide to Superficial, Medium and Deep Cosmetic Chemical Peels

Cosmetic chemical peels have been utilized for hundreds of years and have a proven safety record in the proper hands. This procedure can be performed on the face, neck or hands. Chemical peels are so named because the process involves applying a type of "chemical agent" to the skin. The chemicals are applied for the purposes of exfoliating sun damaged or thickened surface skin while stimulating the growth of healthier skin. Chemical peels are classified in three categories: superficial, medium and deep peels.

Superficial Peels

Superficial peels have few associated risks but also offer less noticeable results. This technique removes skin through a portion or all of the epidermal layer. Superficial cosmetic chemical peelscan help improve conditions such as acne and dyschromia. Upper epidermal defects, such as melasma, can also be treated with superficial peels, while deeper defects, such as deep wrinkles, may require a deep peeling agent. Superficial peels (typically those using low concentrations of AHA or BHA) offer far less dramatic improvement than do medium or deep peels (usually TCA or phenol-based).

Medium Peels

Medium peels are usually performed with trichloroacetic acid. Mediumpeelshave the same benefits as light peels. In addition, they remove larger wrinkles and precancerous skin lesions because of deeper penetration. Medium cosmetic chemical peelspenetrate the skin more deeply than superficial peels and can cause a second-degree burn of the skin. Due to the risk of irregular pigmentation following the procedure, medium peels are typically not appropriate for people with darker skin tones or of ethnic background. However, medium chemical peels are highly effective in promoting overall skin smoothness and vitality.

Deep Peels

Deep peels are designed to work on long-term sun damage and pronounced pigmentation changes, lesions and growths. Deep peels with stronger chemicals get rid of large wrinkles and can have results as dramatic as a face-lift. Deeper peels go midway into the dermal layer (into the reticular dermis), almost always leaving a permanently lighter skin tone. Deep cosmetic chemical peelsinvolve the use of a solution called Phenol, which penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin. Because this procedure can cause a second-degree burn of the skin, deep peels have been replaced by laser technology to avoid pigment loss and painful healing. However, controversy remains over which is better.

Chemical peels are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures that people utilize today. This procedure removes excessive buildup of dead skin cells, smoothes and tightens the skin, lightens brown spots, diminishes puffiness and circles around the eyes, and treats sun damaged skin. Chemical peels vary according to their specific ingredients and their strength. Depending on which variety you choose, chemical peels can give your skin a healthy, just refreshed look, or they can be more aggressive, taking years off of your appearance.