Chemical Peels
Erase and Peel Away Imperfections for Glowing Skin
Chemical peel or known as VI Peel provides noticeable and lasting results that combat numerous skin issues. It’s a treatment that’s quickly gaining popularity thanks to its accessibility and effectiveness.
Thankfully, New Orleans is one of the markets that now have access to the chemical peel, going beyond the skin’s surface.
It’s a virtually painless process that helps improve numerous facets of the skin. It’s an effective anti-aging chemical that works on all skin types. Here’s what you need to know and why you should consider getting a VI Peel.
Chemical peels are safe and effective ways to improve and rejuvenate your skin’s appearance by exfoliating the surface. These treatments are great for patients concerned about wrinkles, uneven skin tone, fine lines, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or acne scars.
If you live in Metairie or New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Ali Sadeghi can help identify your skin goals and recommend the best skin chemical peel to get you long-lasting and effective results.
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What Are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels resurface the skin by applying a solution to either the face, hands, neck, chest, etc., which penetrates deep into the skin to strip it of its uppermost layers.
The process removes damaged cells and stimulates natural skin regeneration to produce younger, healthier, smoother, and more vibrant skin.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A VI PEEL?
VI Peel contains a synergistic blend of powerful ingredients suitable for all skin types. The VI peel benefits are to help to improve the tone, texture, and clarity of your skin and provide anti-aging benefits. VI peel results will tighten skin, smooth texture, and brighten tone.
Specifically formulated to rejuvenate and help prevent future damage to the skin. A great first-time peel for all age groups who want fresh, healthy, radiant skin.
The medium-strength VI Peel contains a proprietary mixture of ingredients. All this helps bring forth numerous benefits that make skin look and feel better.
Here’s what you can expect when you get one:
- Youthful and firm skin as the chemical stimulates the production of collagen.
- Better clarity, texture, and skin tone
- Reduces acne and minimizes scarring
- Softens wrinkles and other fine lines
- Removes and improves aged skin areas. It reduces aging spots, hyperpigmentation, and other noticeable skin issues.
A VI Peel works by removing the topmost layer of the skin along with one of its underlying sections. These two areas are often where skin problems arise and propagate.
By doing this, it allows the area to recover fast. Smoother skin underneath will replace the topmost layer with healthier cells.
It’s a procedure that requires preparation, and you’ll immediately see the results after applying the peel three to four times.
Who Can Benefit From a Chemical Peel?
While almost anyone can benefit from a chemical peel, you may consider one if you have these specific concerns:
- Fine lines around the mouth or eyes
- Hyperpigmentation, including age spots, sun damage, or uneven skin tone
- Wrinkles
- Scarring
- Freckles
- Acne
Chemical peels stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Additionally, they allow your skin to react to skin-care products more effectively, as your skin is clear of any damaged or dead cells that obstruct products from penetrating it.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CHEMICAL PEEL?
Specialists often conduct chemical peels in a medical setting to ensure a sterile environment.
They will first cleanse your skin, removing all excess oils.
Afterward, they will place protective devices on the hair and eyes, ensuring that the peel doesn’t affect them.
The chosen chemical solution will then have an equal application on your skin. The composition of these peels can vary. VI Peel is a medium-strength solution, though it is a painless procedure. Other solutions may cause skin irritation or a stinging sensation.
The chemicals cause a controlled reaction to the skin, penetrating and removing the unwanted areas. It essentially peels the old skin to reveal a new healthy layer. The results will depend on your desired outcome and the product used. Some peels work better for certain goals compared to others.
Doctors may also recommend the intensity of the peel depending on their patient. Some work on several lighter peels to show improvement. Others have immediate effects, though you’ll have a downtime of a week or more to recover.
A deep chemical peel shows the most noticeable results and works best for moderate skin issues. However, it requires skin preparation beforehand, and you’ll spend more than a week in recovery.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING RECOVERY FROM A CHEMICAL PEEL?
After the peel, the new skin can feel fragile as it adjusts to becoming the topmost layer. Expect a feeling like you’ve gotten a sunburn where you’ll see redness or scaling.
The doctors will give you an ointment or lotion, which you’ll regularly apply to the area until it heals. From there, you’ll have to stay diligent with applying sunscreen to prevent damage to your new skin.
For deeper peels, you’ll experience symptoms that can last anywhere from 48 hours to three weeks. Swelling or blisters can occur during this period. With deeper procedures, you’ll have to stay away from sunlight until you experience complete healing.
You’re also more susceptible to infections, and the doctor will provide medication. You cannot apply makeup for a set period of time. Apart from sunscreen, you will also need to place moisturizer on your skin as directed.
It will prevent scarring and ensure a smoother recovery process. Doctors also advise patients to avoid tanning or other similar activities as it will only damage the skin while it’s not fully recovered.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
The chemical solutions used work to remove damaged skin cells and stimulate new growth.
Chemical peels are categorized into three variations: mild or superficial, medium, and deep.
The deeper the penetration of the chemicals, the greater the risk of pigmentation or scarring. Avoiding the sun and wearing sunblock is extremely important even after you heal, which Dr. Sadeghi can discuss once you decide the peel that is right for you.
Chemical peels usually take between 30 and 90 minutes to complete.
Glycolic Peel
A glycolic peel is a superficial chemical peel. This in-office procedure uses a diluted acid that penetrates the skin to remove its outer layers.
The treatment can be used on a patient’s hands, neck, chest, and face and is used to treat:
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- Dryness
- Hyperpigmentation
- Acne
- Wrinkles
After the skin has been cleaned, the acid is applied and left for several minutes. There may be mild discomfort that feels like stinging, but it should pass once the chemical is neutralized with a saline solution and wiped away.
Over the next few days, patients may experience flaking and dryness, but applying petroleum jelly helps. Wearing sunscreen after the procedure is extremely important as your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peel
A TCA peel is a medium chemical peel that penetrates the skin deeper than a mild peel. This can be applied to the face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back.
TCA chemical peels can treat:
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- Deep fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Hyperpigmentation and dark spots
- Acne
Once the skin has been cleaned, a chemical exfoliant is brushed on and left for at least fifteen minutes.
During this time, a patient may experience a stinging or burning sensation, and the treatment area may change color. Once the chemical is neutralized with a saline solution and wiped away, the burning sensation should subside.
Following a TCA chemical peel, a patient may see redness in the face and skin flaking, which can take up to two weeks to subside. Petroleum jelly can keep skin moist and limited exposure to the sun with sunscreen is critical.
Phenol Peel
Deep chemical peels are only done on the face as they penetrate several layers of skin to tackle concerns such as:
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- Age signs
- Deep wrinkles
- Sun damage
- Scars
- Pre-cancerous growths
Because phenol is a strong chemical, there is a pre-treatment period lasting up to two months. This is needed to prepare the skin. Additionally, local anesthesia and sedation can be used to manage any discomfort as the phenol is brushed onto the skin.
The procedure can take up to two hours, and a burning sensation may occur. The skin may turn a greyish color before it is neutralized with water. An ointment will be used on your skin to protect it once the procedure is done.
Recovery takes anywhere from seven to 14 days, during which a patient may deal with peeling, swelling, and redness. Pain management can be administered during this time.
Mandelic Acid Peel
Derived from bitter almonds, Mandelic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid.
Considered a mild peel and excellent for sensitive skin, this peel can tackle concerns such as:
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- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Acne
- Dark spots
- Uneven skin tone
Mandelic acid is applied to the skin for 10 minutes, during which time a patient may experience some stinging.
Once complete, a patient may experience flaking, but newer, smoother, and glowing skin will be noticeable soon.
Salicylic Acid Peel
A natural substance found in willow bark, salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that works on:
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- Acne
- Dark spots
- Sunspots
- Freckles
Salicylic acid is a mild or medium peel. Once the skin is cleansed, the acid can be applied. This can be layered, depending on your skin goals. Some redness or tingling may be experienced before the peel is neutralized and wiped away. This solution is usually left on for three to five minutes.
A patient will immediately notice a brighter complexion but may experience flaking over the following two to four days. As always, limited sun exposure and sunscreen.
Pyruvic Acid Peel
Pyruvic acid is an alpha-keto-acid that can be used as a superficial or medium peel.
It primarily treats signs of aging such as:
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- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Blemishes
- Acne
- Dark spots
- Large pores
Once the skin is cleansed, Pyruvic acid is applied to the face and left for one to three minutes before it is neutralized and wiped away. Most patients do not feel any discomfort post-treatment and enjoy smoother, more even skin.
ZO® 3-Step Peel
Known as the “red carpet peel,” the ZO® 3-step peel was created by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi. It has very little downtime and minimal flaking or redness post-treatment.
It is conducted in three steps to tackle:
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- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone
- Acne
- Sun damage
- Dullness
- Large pores
The skin is cleansed and prepped using ZO® products before the peel is brushed onto the face. The chemical is left on for two to four minutes, during which a patient may feel some discomfort.
After the peel, retinol cream and a calming solution is applied for hydration. The cream should be reapplied five hours later. Patients may experience peeling, tightness, and some swelling for a few days.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR CHEMICAL PEELS?
Generally, chemical peels work best for those with light to fair skin. It can also produce good results for darker-skinned people, but it’s best to have a consultation with experts first.
The effectiveness of the VI Peel will depend on the skin problem treated, and doctors will examine if the peel will affect the rest of your skin tone.
We may recommend other procedures along the peel to get the desired results in severe cases. A dermatologist expert can recommend a treatment that would work best in combination with a chemical peel.
There might even be a scenario where you forego the peel entirely in favor of another procedure. From there, the results will determine if peels are necessary.
How Much Do Chemical Peels Cost in New Orleans?
The cost of your chemical peel will vary depending on the type and strength of the peel chosen. The team at the Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery will provide you with a price estimate during your consultation.
Some patients choose to follow up their chemical peel treatment with other non-surgical facial enhancement treatments, such as medical spa treatments or injectables like dermal fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic. Note: These procedures will not be performed at the same time as your peel.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE AFTER A VI PEEL?
Most patients will feel like they recently got sunburnt with their skin sensitive to touch. Redness and swelling are common side effects, though it’s rare for anyone to develop complications.
They will be fine if they follow the doctor’s instructions and let the skin recover. The most noticeable effect is discoloration, which is why a consultation is necessary.
You may need bandages on the area treated for several days as a part of the healing. Expect to stay away from the sun for a few months. Your new skin will not be able to take in its intensity immediately.