CHEMICAL PEELS AND YOUR SKIN

CHEMICAL PEELS AND YOUR SKIN Chemical peels can improve the skin's appearance. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it desquamate and eventually peel off. The treated skin is usually smoother and has a better texture. Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to: Reduce fine lines and induce skin toning Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging Improve the appearance of mild scars Treat certain types of acne Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills Improve the look and feel of skin Areas of sun damage may improve after chemical peeling. After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say "broad-spectrum" on the label, meaning it protects against the sun's UVA and UVB rays. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel? Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are better candidates for chemical peels. If you have darker skin, you may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated. But you also may be more likely to have an uneven skin tone after the procedure. Skin sags, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels.