Chemical peels, a non-surgical way to address a variety of skin concerns, are just one of many services we offer at Chetco Medical and Aesthetics. Like many other cosmetic treatments, the longevity of results from chemical peels lies in the timing of maintenance treatments.
We’ll answer common questions about peels, from how they work to how long they last. We want you to have a firm understanding of the timing necessary for successful chemical peel results!
What Do Chemical Peels Do?
Firstly, what do chemical peels do? Chemical peels are categorized as a skin-resurfacing procedure because they involve using a specialized chemical solution to remove the top layer of your skin.
The new skin that grows back is typically smoother and less wrinkled, which offers you a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Chemical peels are organized into three categories: light, medium, and deep peels. Each type serves its own purpose, treats distinct concerns, and has a different recovery time.
Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
One significant advantage of chemical peels is how they reduce the appearance of acne scars. Since chemical peels for acne scars remove the top layer of the skin, they’re effective in reducing the appearance of superficial scars.
But what if you have deeper, more severe scarring due to past breakouts? What if your acne scarring has caused significant changes in your skin’s overall texture?
You’ll still benefit from chemical peels for acne scars if this is the case. Since the peeling process stimulates natural healing, it encourages your body to produce new collagen. The production of this vital protein aids in skin health, firmness, and elasticity. New collagen production can help fill deeper, depressed acne scars, smoothing them out and reducing their appearance over time.
Ideal Timing for Chemical Peels
Timing your chemical peels is a critical factor that can have an impact on how effective the treatment is. The timing is somewhat personal and depends on the type of peel you receive and your lifestyle. Here are the factors that influence the ideal timing for chemical peels:
Timing Chemical Peels Based on the Skin’s Cycle
Your skin is constantly going through a renewal cycle where your old skin cells are shed in favor of new ones. On average, this cycle lasts around 28 days, though the older you are, the longer it tends to be. Chemical peels accelerate this process, forcing the skin to shed its outer layer more quickly.
Timing Chemical Peels Based on Strength
Another factor affecting your chemical peel treatment schedule is the strength of the peel itself. Since light chemical peels remove only the outermost layer of the skin, they can be done more frequently; the skin recovers more quickly from this light level of exfoliation.
Medium and deep peels, on the other hand, require a longer recovery period because they cause more significant skin shedding. These peels need to be spaced out at longer intervals to allow the skin ample time to both heal and regenerate.
Timing Chemical Peels Based on Skin Concerns
Another factor that influences the timing of your chemical peel treatments is your specific skin concerns. If you’re using chemical peels as a way to treat acne scars or hyperpigmentation, we may recommend that you receive more frequent treatments to help you get your desired results. Once your skin concerns have shown improvement, we’ll shift you to a maintenance schedule with less-frequent peels.
Timing Chemical Peels Based on the Seasons
The time of year can also play a role in how we time your chemical peels. For example, we may recommend that you wait to schedule a stronger and more intensive peel until the colder months when the sun’s rays are less intense.
We do this because your skin is more sensitive in general after a chemical peel, especially to the sun. If you expose yourself excessively to the sun after a chemical peel, you could be at risk of developing pigmentation issues.
How Long Do Chemical Peels Last?
How long do chemical peels last? It depends on the type of peel you choose. Since light chemical peels target only the outer layer of the skin, their results are more limited, lasting one to two months. The reason is that your skin is constantly regenerating itself, so the new cells replace the ones that were removed by the peel pretty quickly.
Medium and deep chemical peels penetrate further to the underlying layers of the skin, so their effects tend to be longer-lasting. Medium peels can last anywhere from six months to a year. Some deep peels have results that can last as long as several years.
Of course, the deeper the peel, the longer your recovery time. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your skin concerns, lifestyle, and preferences so we can make a recommendation that helps you reach your goals while fitting your lifestyle.
Chemical Peels for Dark Skin
We approach chemical peels for dark skin with caution since dark skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation. Every treatment schedule we recommend is unique and tailored to you so that we can make the most effective and appropriate recommendation for your skin type.
Chemical Peels in Brookings, OR
At Chetco Medical and Aesthetics, we’ve helped countless clients just like you improve their skin concerns with a targeted chemical peel treatment schedule. If you are interested in eliminating the appearance of scarring, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin texture, or fine lines and wrinkles, you could benefit from chemical peels. Contact our team of skincare experts today to schedule a personalized consultation.
