Light peel treatment is considered to be a non-invasive procedure that removes the upper layers of dead and damaged skin and causes regeneration of skin cells. These treatments help to treat skin from fine lines, acne, permanent dry skin and rough pigmentation and is used according to the needs of the individual patient.
Who can apply light chemical peels
For those who have mild skin defects and conditions, and who want to revitalize and improve the appearance of their skin without the strong treatments the light chemical peel is appropriate procedure. Glycolic acid peels (AHA chemical peels) are effective treatment in improving the look of sun-damaged skin, and they are useful in removing mild acne scars and fine lines. Due to light chemical peels exfoliation of the skin surface and unclogging pores, they are also helpful to treat acne.
The meaning of the procedure and its application
AHA chemical skin peels, glycolic acid peel and salicylic acid chemical peels are the common names of light chemical peels. Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is derived from sugar cane, is the most wide-spread ingredient being contained in the light chemical peels. The ingredients and structure of a light chemical peel, however, depend upon the specific patients skin and necessary for skin conditions. With light chemical peels, the chemical solution is left on the skin for a little time.
When the AHA chemical peel solution is applied to the face or the part of the body, it removes the outer skin layers and causes revealing of smooth layer of skin. The production of necessary ingredients of healthy and youthful skin such as elastin and collagen is a result of the chemical stimulation.
In preparation for a light chemical peel, the patient skin is first gently cleansed. Then the solution is applied to the certain areas. The specific concentration and structure of the glycolic acid (AHA) solution depend on the patients needs.
Light chemical peels procedure doesn’t demand any anesthetic usually, although a patient may use a local anesthetic or anodyne to get rid of discomfort. A warm tingling or stinging is a common feature during the chemical solution, and after the procedure it has been on the skin for the certain time, and then the physician will clean it with water and apply a soothing lotion.
The complete process of a light chemical peel usually takes about an hour, and then the patient usually observes some skin redness or other negative effects. After the treatment, the patient can return to daily activities rapidly. However, repeated treatments are usually necessary to achieve better results.
AHA’s and BHA’s
Light chemical peels consist of AHA’s and/or BHA’s. Specialists performing light chemical peels choose appropriate solutions which depend on each patient’s skin needs.
Chemical peels chiefly include alpha hydroxy acids and may be pertained to as AHA chemical peels; or glycolic acid peels. Glycolic acid is the most common kind of alpha hydroxy acid which is applied in skin care. Salicylic acid chemical peels belong to beta hydroxy acid peel.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) occur from different natural sources as fruit, sugar, sour milk, and others. AHA chemical peels often consist of:
Glycolic acid (extracted from sugar cane)
Lactic acid (derived from milk)
Malic acid (pears and apples)
Citric acid (oranges and lemons)
Tartaric acid (which grapes produce)
Beta hydroxy acids are believed to be organic acids which are derived from fruit. These acids are closely related to alpha hydroxy acids, but they are not the same in their molecular structure, and renew the skin in a little bit differently.
Salicylic acid, the most common BHA, is used to treat acne malady, while salicylic acid and chemical peels cure eliminating acne. Beta hydroxy acids are helpful in exfoliation of oily skin and deep penetrating with non-irritated it.
There are no irritations or discomfort, during the procedure alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids gently renew the skin and cause its regeneration. Different types of alpha hydroxy acids are so gentle to be common phenomena in home skin care products, and people who apply a light chemical peel may use these products with the aim to improve their results.
Recovery
There are few negative effects, and usually the procedure needs no recovery time. Though the skin may be flake or get some irritation after a glycolic acid peel (or AHA chemical peel), it would be possible to continue working or everyday activities as soon as the treatment has been finished.
After the peel, one will be provide with guidelines to follow certain instructions to be sure of successful treatment. Generally, specialists recommended to use a mild cleanser and moisturizing lotion, and to avoid the sun.
Observing to the light chemical peel, one will find out improving of the general and certain skin conditions. Further improvement will be also mentioned as a course of treatments advances.
Deep chemical peels procedure means only one session; however it’s more useful for patients to apply several light chemical peels to get optimal results. The same as the structure of the light chemical peel is determined for each person, the number and spacing of the treatments depends on treatment peculiarities for each patient. To know more about the perfect treatment for certain skin type, it is better to discuss it with a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist.
