What’s the Difference Between Chemical Peels?

What if you could strip away the outer layer of your skin, magically erasing a lifetime of sun damage or squelching your latest bout with acne, revealing a refreshed, smoother complexion? A chemical peel at our Baton Rouge, Louisiana, practice might be the solution you’re seeking.

Not all chemical peels are equal, though. It’s essential to have someone trained and experienced in performing peel treatments to avoid poor results or damage to the skin. Why is training important? Medical-grade peels vary in strength, and what’s appropriate for one skin type might have negative side effects for another type. Understanding these nuances is at the heart of effective chemical peel treatments.

Chemical Peel Options

Peels typically are categorized by the depth they penetrate the skin. Light peels provide superficial results similar to other medical spa facials, and they don’t require any downtime. Medium peels are among the most popular because they produce significant results with minimal side effects, such as redness. Deep peels reverse significant sun damage to the skin, but patients need to plan for several days of downtime.

Peels use different chemicals, such as salicylic acid, TCA, retinoic acid, and others. The strength of the chemical combinations along with the length of time the peel sits on the skin influence results.

At our practice, we offer various peels so that we can address the unique concerns of virtually any patient. Our most popular treatments include the melanage peel and the Perfect Derma peel.

Melanage Peel

This skin-lightening treatment is an effective treatment for melasma, a skin condition that is often related to hormonal changes such as pregnancy. This is a superficial peel that can also reduce other skin discoloration, including sun spots, and improve the skin’s texture and tone. Patients who get a melanage peel don’t experience any of the burning or stinging sensations that sometimes occur with deeper peels. Your skin might feel a bit tight and it may cause some redness. Treatment areas include the face, neck, and chest. The peeling that occurs is similar to a sunburn and lasts for about a week after the treatment.

The Perfect™ Derma Peel

This popular treatment goes beyond the melanage peel by combining powerful ingredients to lift melasma, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and resolve acne flareups. The Perfect Derma Peel can also help shrink pores and give the skin a refreshed, radiant glow. Among the ingredients included in this treatment are trichloroacetic acid (TCA), kojic, retinoic, and salicylic acids, phenol, and vitamin C. But the Perfect Derma Peel’s secret weapon is glutathione, a potent antioxidant used to reduce cell inflammation and known for its anti-aging properties.

It only takes about 15 minutes for a provider to apply the peel, which patients then leave on for 6 hours after returning home. Patients receive a kit to help them care for the skin as needed. On about day 3, the skin begins peeling and that lasts for another 3 or 4 days.

We also offer SkinMedica chemical peels of various strengths.

It’s important that patients avoid direct skin exposure after getting any chemical peel and to closely follow instructions regarding caring for your skin once you return home. You can resume the skincare regimen you normally follow once the skin stops peeling. Even though a single peel can be beneficial, getting additional treatments every 4 to 6 weeks will maximize the outcomes.

August is the ideal time to schedule your chemical peel at Weiler Plastic Surgery because we’re offering specials on peels throughout the month. Contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at (225) 399-0001 in Baton Rouge to learn more about our specials.