Microdermabrasion

Teenagers and adults alike suffer from acne. This is a common skin problem where pimples cause the skin to break out.

Blackheads and whiteheads on the face are also considered as acne, as well as the deep lumps or nodules that affect the skin.

The area that is most commonly affected by acne is the face. However, it can also be found on other parts of the body, like the back, chest, neck, shoulders and the upper arms.

Being a common skin condition, there are several over-the-counter products that you can use to help prevent acne. The problem, however, is they do not always work.

Depending on a person’s skin type, being affected by acne might be a more serious problem, and the pimples, if not properly treated, could cause a permanent scar.

Aside from the physical scars that could be left by acne, it can also cause you an emotional scar if you do not get proper treatment. Having acne decreases one’s morale and self-confidence.

Society’s obsession with beauty might cause you to treat acne like a rare disease, instead of it being a treatable and normal skin condition.

Having clear and acne-free skin is one that we all strive for. Fortunately, there are hundreds of ways to get rid of acne.

Aside from the bottled formula promising to give you that flawless look, there are also some medical treatments that you can undergo to help prevent acne.

‘Acne Chemical Peels 101′

Plastic surgery and face lift are just some of the remedies available to restore your youthful look.

If you do not want to be ‘under the knife’ and you prefer a much kinder treatment to enhance your beauty, one option is to have a chemical peel.

Chemical peels remove the outer layer of the skin where the damaged outer skin layers lie. This damage to the outer skin layer can be caused by exposure to sun and dirt, as well as applying cosmetics on the face.

Here, a chemical solution is applied on the affected area to literally ‘peel off’ the outer skin layer. Thus, a whole new layer of skin comes out which gives you that rosy look and youthful glow.

Basically, there are three types of chemical peel.

First is the mild peel which only removes the very first layer of the skin. This is the type of chemical peel that can be used to treat acne. It also helps get rid of old pimple scars and basically evens out the skin.

The second type is the medium peel which goes a little deeper than the mild peel. The treatment will cause redness and chafing immediately after the procedure. The result is a younger look because it helps remove wrinkles and evens out your skin pigmentation.

Finally, there is the deep chemical peel which is rarely used because it removes several skin layers. Consult a dermatologist before considering to undergo this treatment.

All in all, chemical peels are a great way to get rid of acne. This is an inexpensive, yet effective and simple procedure to finally remove those acne scars and have a clear, beautiful skin that you can be proud of.

By: Dave Poon

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Now that you have managed to get rid of your acne, what do you do with those ugly scars? If you have mild scarring, you can try several acne products and medicines that can treat them. However, for severe acne scars, they must be treated by a dermatologist, using a combination of surgical procedures and skin resurfacing therapy.

Available Acne Scars Treatment Options

The following methods are quite effective at treating acne scars: laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and chemical peels. You should consult with your dermatologist to choose the most suitable treatment for you.

Treating Acne Scars with Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is one of the most advanced methods for treating acne scars. This treatment works by shedding the top layers of the skin that is damaged. The skin heals and newer, smoother appearing skin replaces the damaged layer. Treatments usually take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The skin usually will completely heal after 3 - 10 days. This is an effective and promising treatment since the laser can precisely control the depth of penetration into the skin.

Your skin will experience redness and swelling after the treatment and proper post operative care of the skin must be followed to ensure success.

Treating Acne Scars with Dermabrasion

Another popular treatment option for acne scars is dermabrasion. This method works by physically scraping off the top layer of the skin using an abrasive disc. As the skin heals, a new and smoother layer replaces the abraded skin. It takes between 10 days and three weeks for skin to heal between treatments. If you want a less invasive treatment option, you may opt for a microdermabrasion, which effectively scrapes off a very thin layer of the skin. As a result, recovery time is shorter.

Acne Scars Treatment with Chemical Peel

With chemical peel treatment, different tpes of acid are applied to the skin to remove the top layer so that smoother and newer layer can surface. The procedure usually takes about 20 minutes or so. This method is ideal for mild cases of scars. It takes about a week or more for the skin to heal after the treatments. Reddening and discomfort may occur during the healing process.

Other Acne Scars Treatment Options

Other treatment options for acne scar may include surgery or collagen. For severe cases of acne scars, your doctor may recommend plastic surgery. This is an expensive option however.

As you can see, effective treatments are available for your scars and you should not leave your scars untreated. Do some research, talk to your dermatologist and skin care specialist to find out which treatment is suitable for your skin conditions. You too can have beautiful, smooth, youthful looking skin like Hollywood movie stars if you know how to care and treat it.

By: Susan Bienize

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Chemical peels are used for the removal of skin blemishes or wrinkles. The skin becomes smooth and the skin texture and appearance will improve with the solution used by the chemical peels. It does so by stripping away the damaged outer layers of the skin.

In this process of stripping away, chemical peels can lessen, and in some cases, even eliminate blemishes, hyper-pigmentation and wrinkles. Acne scars and the occurrence of acne can also be reduced with the help of chemical peels.

It is very important that, first of all, that you get proper assessment on your current skin condition. By this you can properly understand your skin’s needs and proper skin treatment.

Some people are under the myth that chemical skin peels are the cure for their skin problems. The proper chemical peel will target your particular problems provide the sufficient solution.

Types Of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are of three types. You may choose one according to your needs and circumstance. The available chemical peels are divided into three categories:

* Alphahydroxy Acids (AHA)

* Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)

* Phenol

Each of these categories of chemical peels, vary in their use, potency and inconvenience. You can take the help of your dermatologist in deciding the right kind of chemical peel for you.

A dermatologist will help you determine which peel program is right for you. He may suggest a customized solution for you. Make sure you understand what the dermatologist is about to do before actually agreeing to the procedure. Make sure to clarify all your queries.

Alphahydroxy acids

The mildest of the chemical peels are the Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs). Usually, these chemical peels are made of fruit, glycolic, and lactic acids. These chemical peels may not show as impressive effects as the other peels.

However, these chemical peels are best for those who do not have time to recover from the other chemical peel procedures. Depending on your dermatologist’s advice these chemical peels are applied weekly or periodically. But they do result in smoother, finer looking skin after a few treatments.

Some dermatologists will incorporate AHA into the daily skin care regimen of the patient. This may be in soaps, facial cleanser, etc. Commercial AHA facial care solutions are also available that can be applied everyday.

Trichloroacetic Acid

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is an intermediate chemical peel. These chemical peels are useful for those who wish to have the effects almost as impressive as phenol chemical peels but cannot dedicate too much time to healing as in the case of those who prefer AHA peels.

You can require more than one chemical peel to achieve the desired effect. This skin treatment is ideal for medium depth peeling. It is also the ideal peel for blemishes and fine lines, which are not that severe.

Phenol

The most effective of the chemical peels is the Phenol. These types of chemical peels take some time to heal. They are recommended in cases that feature coarse wrinkles and severe blemishes such as blotching, coarse skin, etc.

Phenol is also a strong whitening agent and this may be an aspect in considering whether to choose this sort of treatment. Phenol chemical peels are primarily a facial treatment. It may result in scarring if the application is used for other parts of the body.

Side Effects Of Chemical Peels

The possible side effects of chemical peels is that the possibility of demarcation lines, lines that show which part of the face received skin treatment and which did not, redness, irritation, and other side effects.

Post Treatment Instructions

Because of the usual state of newly peeled skin, the redness and irritation is normal. Your dermatologist will advise you on the care and upkeep of tender skin. It is generally recommended for those who have undergone this skin treatment that they stay out of the sun for several months as to protect the newly formed skin.

But that is to be expected from such procedures. All in all, chemical peels are safe, although they may cause some inconvenience. The risks for scarring are low. However, a certified professional must perform the procedure to ensure safety.

By: Alien

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As we age our skin changes. Lines and wrinkles are caused naturally with age, heredity and the pull of gravity. Abusing one’s skin by over exposure to the sun, smoking, alcohol consumption, air conditioning and pollution all increase the ageing process faster. Fine lines, wrinkles & irregular pigmentation appear in the face where there was once soft, smooth skin.

Chemical peeling is a technique used to freshen the skin, soften fine lines, increase the circulation and improve the skin overall. It lightens pigmentation of the skin in the form of sun spots, liver spots, freckles, blotchiness due to sun damage & taking birth control pills. Mild acne scarring & certain types of acne can be treated.

Chemical peels have been performed for over 70 years. There are 2 types of chemical solutions used in these types of peels. Phenol and Trichloro Acetic Acid (TCA). Phenol is not commonly used anymore, as it can have many side effects.

Today we approach the skin differently by peeling less deeply and more often.

The depth of the peel can be adjusted depending on the patients needs, skin type and skin damage. Your face will be cleaned thoroughly with a special prep to remove any dirt or oil. The TCA solution is painted on the skin. A white “frosting” occurs over 5 minutes. The white colour will diminish as the chemical has been absorbed. Your face will then appear slightly sunburnt and feel tight.

The chemical applied causes separation and eventual peeling of upper layers of skin, enabling new regenerated skin to appear.

As the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to injury during the healing stage avoidance of the sun for the next 3 months is mandatory as the skins tanning cells are too immature to protect it. It is important to where sun protection & a hat. It is also a good idea to sit in the shade where ever possible in these 3 months.

In some states, no medical degree is required to perform a chemical peel - even the strongest phenol peels. Many states have laws that permit non-physicians to administer certain peel solutions, but regulate the strengths which they are permitted to apply. You should be warned that phenol and TCA peels have been offered by inadequately trained practitioners claiming “miracletechniques” to rejuvenate the skin.

It is very important that you find a physician who has adequate training and experience in skin resurfacing. Your plastic surgeon may offer you a choice of peel techniques or suggest a combination of peels to obtain the best result for you.

During your initial consultation, it is important that you discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns that you may have. Expect your plastic surgeon to explain the planned procedure in detail, including its risks and benefits, the recovery period and the costs. If you have a history of herpes, you should inform your physician prior to the procedure. Remember, chemical peel treatments are usually not covered by medical insurance unless they are performed for medically related problems.

By: Dave Stringham

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When preparing for any type of medical procedure, it is natural to be nervous. This is especially true if a patient doesn’t know what to expect. When preparing for a medical procedure such as a chemical peel, it is important to know what will likely happen before, during and after the procedure.

General Peel Information

Chemical peels are done to help reduce wrinkles, scarring and other skin imperfections. Chemical peels essentially remove layers of the skin and allow new layers to grow in. These new layers are generally smoother and more even than the older skin layers that are removed during the chemical peel process.

Chemical peels usually work best for individuals with fairer skin tones, although superficial and medium peels can work well on individuals with darker skin tones. Deep chemical peels are generally not given to individuals with darker skin tones because this procedure can actually bleach the skin. This bleaching can be permanent.

Types of Chemical Peels

There are three basic types of chemical peels, divided by the deepness of the peel. These include peels that are superficial, medium and deep. The expectations a person should have vary depending on the type of peel that person is receiving.

Superficial Peels

Superficial peels are usually conducted with a liquid or paste that is applied directly to the face using gauze, a brush or other specialized applicator. After a few minutes, the chemical is then removed with water or alcohol. Superficial peels may require no time off of work and are generally not overly painful. This type of peel can be done every few weeks in many cases. This skin may turn pink for a couple of days after this procedure and the patient will generally see one round of peeling before his or her skin returns to normal.

Medium Depth Peels

Medium depth peels are conducted in a similar manner as superficial peels. However, the chemicals are left on the skin for a longer period of time. There is little pain after the procedure is complete however, there may be pain and stinging while the chemicals are still on. A patient may be given pain medication during this process to help with the pain. Many people that get this type of chemical peel take a day or two off of work to recover. This type of peel can generally be done every six to eight months. Medium peels can result in water blisters and a couple of rounds of peeling.

Deep Chemical Peels

By: Tiffany Bradford

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Freckles were cute when you were playing T-ball, but now you’re thinking…What is that – an age spot?!? Although age spots really have little to do with aging, they do appear over time when the cells that produce melanin (skin pigment) go bad. You’ll get a freckle, or more likely a blotch that’s bigger than a freckle, and it just won’t go away. If you think it’s too early to be noticing age spots but you see them on family members – well, the bad news is, those darkened, discolored spots that appear on faces and hands over the years are hereditary, so you may be likely to get them.

The good news is that you can take steps now to minimize the appearance of this discoloration. Better yet, the science of dermatology keeps evolving with new cosmetic dermatology treatments. This means all of us, at any age, have options to fade skin discoloration. In this article, I’ll give you the information you need on the treatment generally known as the chemical peel (or facial peel).

But first, let’s talk about what you can do to try to avoid age spots: Sunscreen! (You knew I’d say that.) Sun damage brings out these spots and blotches, and for those of us already blessed with the unsightly marks, sun exposure will make them darker and more prominent. No question: wear protective clothing and use a UVA/UVB sunscreen marked at least SPF 30. Protect your skin from the sun – every day, even if it’s cloudy!

But, what if the pesky age spots have already blossomed on your skin? Among the treatments cosmetic dermatologists offer, chemical facial peels provide effective fading of age spots and other skin discoloration, along with other benefits. The facial peel works by loosening the connections between surface cells and speeding up the “turnover rate,” bringing new cells to the skin surface. Since these spots begin with defective pigmentation in deeper cells, this procedure lets your skin get rid of these cells, along with sun-damaged surface skin. A side benefit: the process also smoothes wrinkles and increases collagen production, thereby improving skin tone.

Chemical treatments offer an advantage over surface procedures like dermabrasion: peels work at a deeper level in your skin. Of course, you’ll want to talk with your own cosmetic dermatologist about the best treatment for your unique needs. A few people have chemical-sensitive skin, so preliminary testing will make it clear if this treatment is right for you.

Your cosmetic dermatologist can also recommend the level of treatment appropriate for the condition of your individual skin type and schedule requirements. The procedure involves the carefully controlled application of an acid or other solution to the skin, and there’s a range of chemical peel formulations, from heavy-duty to gentler. To start with the big guns, one popular combination includes fluocinolone, hydroquinone, and tretinoin. It’s topical (applied to your skin) but does require a doctor’s prescription. Fluocinolone is a steroid; hydroquinone blocks the production of melanin, the dark skin pigment; tretinoin is a form of vitamin A. Together they strongly stimulate skin cell turnover and prevent the formation of new pigment.

This combination is highly effective for heavier discoloration, but must be used carefully. Women of childbearing age should take a test to rule out pregnancy before having the procedure. Everyone should know that the skin will become more sensitive to other skin products and to sunlight during the series of treatments. The dermatologist may use an anesthetic, as your skin will likely feel hot, look red and peel. But, it will settle down in a few days to a week, and look very clear and even in tone – in other words, youthful!

Natural fruit acids provide the gentler (and less expensive) chemical peel treatments, especially glycolic acid, as well as lactic and citric acid. Each treatment is brief (15–20 minutes), and a series over a few months will gently renew the skin, fading those age spots right out. Again, you may have some redness, but it’s less pronounced. These treatments are easier on your whole system than the stronger formulations mentioned above. There’s also an intermediate treatment available using trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This one is particularly effective on darker-toned skin.

Next time, we’ll look at two other kinds of help for age spots and other discolorations, crystal-free microdermabrasion and light treatments, including lasers. It’s great to know that even though some skin discoloration may be inevitable, we do have options to reduce or abolish them. Lighten up the age spots, and you could wind up looking as young as you feel!

By: James Fairfield

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☮ asked:

I’m getting my blackheads removed, which one is safer, and what are the side effects of each?

Chemical peels, also known as chemexfoliation or derma-peeling, are a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which causes it to eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

Chemical Peels Question 1, What Conditions Do a Chemical Peel Treat?

Chemical peels are performed on the face, neck or hands. Chemical peels can be used to:

1. Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth,

2. Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors,

3. Improve the appearance of mild scarring,

4. Treat certain types of acne

5. Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills

6. And improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in texture and color

Chemical Peels Question 2, How Are Chemical Peels Performed?

The skin is thoroughly cleansed with an agent(chemical peel) that removes excess oils while the eyes and hair are protected. One or more chemicalsolutions, such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid,lactic acid or carbolic acid (phenol), are applied to small areas on the skin. These Chemical Peel applications produce a controlled wound, enabling new, regenerated skin to appear.

Chemical Peels Question 3, How do I prepare for a Chemical Peel?

Prior to the chemical peel, your Aesthetician may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin with topical preconditioning medications such as Retin-A, Renova, or glycolic acid. After the chemical peel, it’s important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

The more clinical definition of a chemical peel is as follows: A chemical peel is a body treatment technique used to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin using a chemical solution that causes the skin to blister

and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Thus the term chemical peel is derived. Some types of chemical peels can be purchased and administered without a medical license, however people are advised to seek professional help from a dermatologist on a specific type of chemical peel before a procedure is performed.

By: Shelly Cruz

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To first understand the TCA peel and how it defers from other skin peels we must first discuss what a chemical peel is.

What really is a chemical peel? A chemical peel is a controlled caustic solution applied to the skin which will result in the breaking of cellular bonds in the top layers of the skin. This will result in peeling and new skin underneath being uncovered. This will give the skin a fresh, rejuvenated look.

Some skin peels are more superficial than others. A glycolic or lactic or fruit peel tend to be very light or weak and are considered to be more superficial. Light peels tend to have minor results that are not long lasting. Medium to deep peels like the TCA peel, Obagi Blue Peel and Phenol peel can go much deeper and produce astounding results. The Phenol peel is rarely used anymore due to its toxicity.

The Obagi Blue Peel is just a brand name TCA peel and is a cream mixture with a blue green dye in it that dyes the face to indicate where it has and has not been applied. The Obagi Blue Peel still requires the addition of TCA from a TCA peel to make it active.

TCA peels have been found effective and approved by the FDA for treatment of various skin disorders like skin pigmentation problems, wrinkles, fine lines and crows feet around the eyes and even all ranges of acne. Yes, TCA peels have been found to be one of the most effective skin care treatments currently available and are now available for in home use.

TCA peels used to be only an in office treatment offered by doctors, dermatologists and plastic surgeons at $500 – $20-00 per application. It was a beauty or skin care treatment for the rich. Now, TCA peels can be purchased at a great savings for in home use. TCA peels have quickly become one of the most sought after treatments known to the plastic surgery and makeover community. Its no wonder as they can actually cure bad and mild cases of acne, reverse the aging process by turning back the clock and making skin look 10 or more years younger, and remove skin problems like bad pigmentation spots, pre cancerous legions and even treat cancerous areas.

The TCA peel is one of the most effective and widely applicable skin care treatments available either in office of for home use and should be made a staple of any skin care regimen.

By: David Maillie

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There are so many products on the market that claim to improve the appearance of the skin, but perhaps one of the best out there is chemical peeling. Chemical peeling is normally performed on your neck, face or hands. This type of treatment consists of the use of a chemical solution that is applied directly to the skin that causes the skin to blister and then fall off eventually.

The new skin that is revealed is usually smoother with less wrinkling then the skin that was initially treated. The new skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, therefore you must stay out of the sun for a period of time to allow for proper healing. The new skin is just that, new, so it will be very sensitive - take good care of it.

Various peeling agents have been used by dermatologic surgeons for over the last fifty years, making them experts in performing various types of chemical peels. As with any procedure, you must have a thorough consult to determine which procedure is right for you.

What Can a Chemical Peel Do?

Chemical peeling is most commonly used for treating fine lines around the mouth and around the eyes. Chemical peeling can reduce or even completely eliminate wrinkles that have been caused by aging, sun damage and hereditary factors. There are some areas that are more difficult then others to treat, such as bulges, sags and wrinkles that are more severe. These types of flaws may require other types of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as brow lifts, face lift, eye lift or even a soft tissue filler.

Most people are not aware that mild scarring and certain types of acne can be treated with chemical peels as well. Also, pigmentations of the skin, such as sun spots, liver spots, age spots, blotching from birth control pills, freckles and skin that is dull or flat colored or textured, can be improved from chemical peeling.

There are other types of treatments that chemical peeling can be combined with to achieve the best results. Chemical peeling can be combined with such procedures as dermabrasion, resurfacing with lasers or soft tissue filler to help obtain cost-effective rejuvenation of the skin that is customized to the needs of the individual patient. Some other areas that may improve after a chemical peel are precancerous keratoses, sun damaged spots or scaling patches.

After a chemical peeling, new patches or lesions are less likely to show up. Usually, people that are fair skinned and/or have light colored hair are good candidates for such treatments as chemical peels. Even darker skin types can also experience positive results, depending on the types of skin problems they have encountered.

How Are Chemical Peels Performed?

Instructions prior to surgery may include stopping certain medications to reduce interference with the procedure or recovery time. The doctor may treat the skin to pre-condition the skin with topical pre-conditioning medications. Cleaning of the area with an antiseptic soap is usually required prior to surgery, generally the day prior to surgery.

Chemical peels can be performed right in a doctor’s office or as an out-patient procedure in a surgery center, making these procedures more convenient for people. The skin must be thoroughly cleansed at the time of treatment. This is done to remove any excess oils and to make sure the eyes and hair are well protected. If you would like to try one or more solutions, such as a chemical peel, you might want to try such items as: salicylic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, a glycolic acid, lactic acid or a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and sometimes a carbolic acid (phenol). These are used by Dermatologic surgeons that are well qualified to choose the proper peeling agent, this is based on the type of skin damage present. When getting a chemical peel, the physician will apply the solution to directly to small areas on the skin. These applications produce a controlled wound that will enable new, refreshed skin to appear. The majority of patients may experience a sensation that is warm to somewhat hot that may last from about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Deeper peels may require the use of pain medication during or after the procedure to make the person comfortable.

What Should Be Expected After Treatment?

Depending on the type of peel treatment you get, you may have a reaction similar to a sunburn that will occur following the chemical peel. There will be superficial peeling that usually involves redness, which is followed by scaling that will end within three to seven days. If you have medium-depth and/or deep peeling occur, this may result in swelling and the first sign of water blisters that may break, turn brown, crust and peel off over a seven to fourteen day period. You may require bandages, depending on what kind of chemical peel you had done. These would have to cover all or part of the skin that has been treated.

These bandages can usually be removed in several days and usually improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Avoiding overexposure to the sun is crucial after a chemical peel as the new skin is more susceptible to getting sun burned. Th skin will be very fragile and will need to be well taken care of to ensure that you do not damage the new skin. Without proper care, you may run the risk of an infection or a serious sunburn that can be detrimental to the new skin. Your dermatologic surgeon may prescribe the medications to allow for proper follow-up care to reduce the chance to develop abnormal skin color after peeling.

As with any procedure, check with your doctor to make sure you get the best treatment possible. Follow your doctor’s instructions to a T to ensure that you heal correctly. You do not want to ruin the outcome of the chemical peel by not following the right advice.

By: Barry Lycka

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