Are Chemical Peels Safe?

So you’ve been thinking about getting a chemical peel. You’ve probably heard from your friends how peels can transform the appearance of your skin, so you want to try it for yourself and see how much of a payoff you can get from it.

But you may also question whether a chemical peel is safe. It certainly sounds like it could be scary. The truth is that chemical peels shouldn’t be scary and are very safe for most people. 

In this month’s post, our providers at eleven19 Medical explain more of the truth about chemical peels.

What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel doesn’t mean that we apply chemicals to your face, at least not in the traditional sense. We don’t apply harsh industrial chemicals, but rather light to medium medical-grade acids.

We first clean your face with a gentle cleanser, then we apply an even amount of acids to your skin. They stay on your skin for 30-90 minutes, depending on the level of peel you want. 

After you get a peel, your skin blisters, a lot like when you get a sunburn. But once that fades, it reveals the fresh, new skin underneath. You’re left glowing like you just spent a week on a tropical island vacation.

The types of acids we use

Chemical peels can include a variety of acids, among them:

• Alpha hydroxy acid
• Salicylic acid (available over the counter in much weaker concentrations)
• Lactic acid
• Trichloroacetic acid
• Glycolic acid
• Carbolic acid (phenol)

Which one we use and how long we leave it on your skin depends on your specific skin type and your treatment goals.

What chemical peels can do

What’s the point of getting a peel? Part of it is to help your skin turn over the dead skin cells and reveal fresh new ones underneath. Your skin normally gets rid of dead skin cells on a slower and more gradual basis; you probably don’t even notice it happening.

Chemical peels speed up the cell turnover, which allows the new skin underneath to shine through. You may find chemical peels especially useful if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Acne scars
• Certain types of acne
• Wrinkles from aging or sun damage
• Fine lines around your mouth and eyes
• Age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) caused by certain birth control pills or pregnancy

Peels generally improve the look and feel of your skin and help you to have a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

Side effects of peels

It’s true that chemical peels have side effects, which most people consider minor. Some of the common side effects include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Scabbing
• Changes in skin color, usually on the lower part of the face
• Scarring

You can treat the redness and swelling after a peel by putting cool compresses on your face. We also recommend that you use sunscreen religiously and avoid direct exposure to sunlight.

The people who are the best candidates for chemical peels are those with lighter skin and who are in generally good health. 

There are a few additional concerns about who isn’t a good candidate for chemical peels, but we’ll tell you more about them if you’re at risk. If you’re interested in getting a peel, contact us at eleven19 MedSpa at the location nearest you — Santa Ana, Fullerton, or Rancho Cucamonga, California.