What are Facial Peels?

A facial peel is a beauty treatment offered at day spas, medical spas, or a doctor’s office that aims to remove fine wrinkles, blemishes, and other skin imperfections. Also known as a chemical peel, facial peels use cosmetic chemicals to remove the top layers of skin and reveal underlying new skin that is in the process of maturing.

What are facial peels?

A facial peel is a treatment that uses an acid solution or laser surgery to remove the top layers of skin, diminishing the effects of aging, sun damage, and blemishes. Despite its name, peels do not really involve peeling your skin. Instead, they effectively exfoliate the skin. Depending on the level of peel that you want, a technician will apply an acid solution that removes dead skin cells and the top layers of skin to reveal fresher-looking, undamaged skin.

Does it hurt?

Some clients claim to either feel a warming sensation, slight stinging, or burning from the exfoliating solution, which is usually left on the skin for about 10 minutes. Most technicians will take measures to cool your skin with hand-held fans during the treatment to make you as comfortable as possible.

The Process

The facial peel solution is applied after your face has been thoroughly washed and dried. The peel stays on your skin for about 10 minutes (or longer, depending on the level of treatment you request) and is then removed with cool water and a neutralizing agent. Some clients choose to incorporate their peel into a full facial treatment, which will include a soothing mask, facial massage, toning, and light moisturizing after the facial peel solution has been applied.

Most skin will look like it has been sunburned after receiving treatment. Redness can last for a few hours or up to five days, depending on the treatment you receive. You can wear makeup to cover up the redness, and it is highly recommended that you use sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight until your skin has had to heal.

Different Types Of Facial Peels

There are different types of facial peels – light, medium, deep, and acne peels. Light and medium peels use chemicals that are strong enough to help patients achieve noticeable results, but gentle enough to reduce healing time. Light and medium peels treat fine wrinkles, discoloration, dry patches, light acne, and some sun damage on the uppermost layer of the skin.

Deep peels use stronger chemicals that stay on the face longer than other peels. While the results are more dramatic and longer-lasting, there is also a longer recovery time associated with deep facial peels. Deep peels treat deep wrinkles, sun damage, discoloration, and pre-cancerous growths.

Facial peels provide several benefits to the skin – the procedure can rejuvenate your facial skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, sun damage, or blotches. Consult with a dermatologist to discuss the results you would like to achieve with a facial peel and to determine which peel is right for your skin.