Whether you love the cold weather or not, winter can be stressful. First, there’s the need for layers. Then, there’s the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
At Dutch Hollow Medical Day Spa in Godfrey, Illinois, our skin specialists think treating yourself should be at the top of your winter to-do list. And a chemical peel is a fantastic way to treat yourself, because the results are so amazing.
In this post, we describe the basics of chemical peels, the results you can expect, and why winter is exactly the right time to get one.
You probably don’t think, “Ahh, winter! The perfect season for my skin!” In fact, cold weather, indoor heat, wind, and lack of humidity can wreak havoc on your delicate skin.
However, a chemical peel can undo much of the damage that winter can bring. A peel can especially help alleviate dry skin.
In addition to correcting the damage incurred by winter, a chemical peel can also help fix the problems caused by the sun during the summer. Sun damage can result in superficial fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots.
Scars, too, can be diminished by a chemical peel.
With a chemical peel, we apply a carefully selected mix of chemicals on your skin. Then, depending on the peel you select, these chemicals strip targeted layers of your skin. There are three main types of chemical peels, and they’re generally categorized by the issues they address.
This is a basic peel. It gently removes the outermost layer, and it can help treat fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, acne, and dry skin.
Since this is a gentle procedure, you can have a light peel every 2-5 weeks.
Slightly more aggressive than a light peel, a medium chemical peel goes a bit deeper and removes more layers of skin. A medium peel can address more noticeable wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone.
You may need multiple medium peels to get optimal results, but we carefully space them out so that you gain the most benefit.
A deep peel is for deeper wrinkles and scars, and it may even be used to address precancerous growths. It’s recommended that you only get one deep peel.
Here is the basic process of getting a chemical peel:
First, we provide a full assessment of your skin and discuss the issues you’d like to address. Then, we create your peel based on that assessment and your goals.
No matter what type of peel you get, the procedure begins the same. We clean your face, protect your hair, and cover your eyes. If you're having a medium or deep peel, we offer a sedative, numbing agent, or pain reliever, so you can stay comfortable.
Then, we use a cotton ball, piece of gauze, sponge, or cotton-tipped applicator to apply the chemical solution to your skin. Then, we use a gentle solution to clean away the chemicals.
Chemical peels do carry a risk for side effects. For example, you may feel some irritation, and you may experience mild to severe redness, tightness, or swelling. For light and medium peels, you should be able to manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers. Deep peels may require surgical dressing, and they may take a bit longer to recover from.
As you begin to heal, your skin will crust over, and it may darken. As the new skin cells replace the ones we removed, your skin will return to its usual color.
The length of your recovery will depend on the type of peel you selected, so it could be anywhere from a few days to a few months. But, once your skin heals, you’ll be amazed at the softness, suppleness, and gorgeous look!
To learn more about getting a chemical peel, contact Dutch Hollow Medical Day Spa to schedule an appointment today.
