A chemical peel is a common technique dermatologists use to treat acne-prone skin and can be used to lessen the appearance of acne scars. Studies have shown that chemical peels can reduce your acne by about 45 to 50 percent. It works by chemically exfoliating the top layers of your skin to prevent clogged pores and promote new skin cells to form. Chemical peels can also treat aging skin by promoting collagen production and new skin cells to form. The chemicals used in chemical peels may vary, depending on your condition. Here’s a deeper look into the ingredients found in your chemical peels.
Why are acids used in chemical peels?
Acids are used in chemical peels to effectively penetrate and remove the layers of the skin. There are two main types of acids, also known as chemical exfoliants, used: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA). The difference is that AHAs are water-soluble, making it more effective for damaged and dry skin. Whereas BHAs are lipid-soluble, making it easier to penetrate oily and acne-prone skin.
Depending on your skin condition, your dermatologist will choose the best suited chemical and apply it to your skin one coat at a time. Deeper chemical peels will give you more dramatic results with higher risks, increased pain and longer healing time. There are three basic types of peels:
Superficial peels. This is the mildest type of peel that it used on all types of skin. The most common ingredient used is glycolic acid. It will only remove the outermost layer of skin.
Medium peels. This type of peel will penetrate deeper into the skin to cause a second-degree burn. The ingredient most commonly used is trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
Deep peels. Your dermatologist will choose deep peels when deeper layers of skin are needed to be removed to cause a second-degree burn. This is usually just used on the face with a chemical called phenol. Usually your dermatologist will avoid using deep peels in darker skin to prevent bleaching of the skin (hypopigmentation).
It is important to note that chemical peels are not for everyone. If you have active acne or have sensitive skin, you probably should not use chemical peels. It can irritate the skin more than help treat it. Chemical peels are more effective for light to medium skin tones and less suited for dark skin.
Understanding how Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) work
Alpha hydroxyl Acids (AHA) are used to chemically exfoliate the skin to give a smoother and younger skin. AHA are derived by fruit acids and work by stimulating collagen production. It is most effective for treating dry and aging skin.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is made from sugar cane, being the most widely used ingredient. It has a low molecular weight, making it a small to be able to penetrate deeper into the skin to stimulate collagen production. Glycolic acid is also used to treat acne by making the skin less oily and preventing the pores from clogging.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is made from sour milk. Out of the AHAs, it has the most water-soluble properties that makes it suitable for treating dry and aging skin. A lactic peel ranging from 40% to 70% in concentration is typically enough to solve common skin issues. Lactic acid can help remove acne-causing bacteria on the skin as well as dead skin cells and toxins, making it also effective in treating acne prone skin.
AHAs are mild and gentle, being one of the safest methods of skin renewal. Other types of AHAs include citric acid (derived from citrus fruits) and glycolic acid from sugar cane.
Understanding how Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA) work
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are more effective for treating oily, acne prone skin, blackheads and whiteheads. BHAs are oil soluble acids that can penetrate deep into your skin. They are sometimes used first to remove all the oil and blackheads from the skin before using AHAs. BHAs are also effective in treating fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and mild skin discoloration.
Salicylic Acid
The most common BHA used is salicylic acid, which is derived from a substance called salicin. It has both antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatory properties, making it suitable to treat mild acne. Salicylic acid can cleanse your pores, preventing them from being clogged and less oily.
Chemical peels are commonly used to treat many different skin types. If your skin is sensitive or have severe acne, you may need to find a different treatment. You should talk to your dermatologist to determine the best treatment option for your skin.
Why are acids used in chemical peels?
Acids are used in chemical peels to effectively penetrate and remove the layers of the skin. There are two main types of acids, also known as chemical exfoliants, used: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA). The difference is that AHAs are water-soluble, making it more effective for damaged and dry skin. Whereas BHAs are lipid-soluble, making it easier to penetrate oily and acne-prone skin.
Depending on your skin condition, your dermatologist will choose the best suited chemical and apply it to your skin one coat at a time. Deeper chemical peels will give you more dramatic results with higher risks, increased pain and longer healing time. There are three basic types of peels:
Superficial peels. This is the mildest type of peel that it used on all types of skin. The most common ingredient used is glycolic acid. It will only remove the outermost layer of skin.
Medium peels. This type of peel will penetrate deeper into the skin to cause a second-degree burn. The ingredient most commonly used is trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
Deep peels. Your dermatologist will choose deep peels when deeper layers of skin are needed to be removed to cause a second-degree burn. This is usually just used on the face with a chemical called phenol. Usually your dermatologist will avoid using deep peels in darker skin to prevent bleaching of the skin (hypopigmentation).
It is important to note that chemical peels are not for everyone. If you have active acne or have sensitive skin, you probably should not use chemical peels. It can irritate the skin more than help treat it. Chemical peels are more effective for light to medium skin tones and less suited for dark skin.
Understanding how Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) work
Alpha hydroxyl Acids (AHA) are used to chemically exfoliate the skin to give a smoother and younger skin. AHA are derived by fruit acids and work by stimulating collagen production. It is most effective for treating dry and aging skin.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is made from sugar cane, being the most widely used ingredient. It has a low molecular weight, making it a small to be able to penetrate deeper into the skin to stimulate collagen production. Glycolic acid is also used to treat acne by making the skin less oily and preventing the pores from clogging.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is made from sour milk. Out of the AHAs, it has the most water-soluble properties that makes it suitable for treating dry and aging skin. A lactic peel ranging from 40% to 70% in concentration is typically enough to solve common skin issues. Lactic acid can help remove acne-causing bacteria on the skin as well as dead skin cells and toxins, making it also effective in treating acne prone skin.
AHAs are mild and gentle, being one of the safest methods of skin renewal. Other types of AHAs include citric acid (derived from citrus fruits) and glycolic acid from sugar cane.
Understanding how Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA) work
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are more effective for treating oily, acne prone skin, blackheads and whiteheads. BHAs are oil soluble acids that can penetrate deep into your skin. They are sometimes used first to remove all the oil and blackheads from the skin before using AHAs. BHAs are also effective in treating fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and mild skin discoloration.
Salicylic Acid
The most common BHA used is salicylic acid, which is derived from a substance called salicin. It has both antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatory properties, making it suitable to treat mild acne. Salicylic acid can cleanse your pores, preventing them from being clogged and less oily.
Chemical peels are commonly used to treat many different skin types. If your skin is sensitive or have severe acne, you may need to find a different treatment. You should talk to your dermatologist to determine the best treatment option for your skin.
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