Over the years, many methods have been used to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin. Rubbing a peeled off orange skin was recommended at some point in history. Ancient Egyptians applied rubs made from spoiled milk, fats from various animals, salts, and a form of baking soda to make “cream masks”. A Viennese dermatologist in the mid-1800s recommended tinctures of iodine and lead, croton oil, and cantharides, as well as sulfuric, acetic, hydrochloric, and nitric acids.

Whether these methods worked or not is another discussion, though we don’t recommend using lead or spoiled milk anywhere on your skin. What can’t be argued is people throughout history have always looked for ways to maintain perfect, youthful-looking skin, and do so today.

In 2021, one of the most popular ways skin rejuvenation is achieved is through a chemical peel. If you’re not familiar with what a chemical peel is, whether it’s more hype than hope, what can it do, and who can get it done, you’re in luck – your questions are about to be answered.

What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is the application of a chemical or a combination of chemicals on your skin to remove the older outer layers of skin. This is then replaced by newer, naturally occurring skin which allows you to get rid of many of the ailments and imperfections of the older skin. The type of chemical peel, as well as the desired depth of the peel, depends largely on the condition that is to be treated. The growth of the new skin is either through undamaged follicles of hair or deeper layers of the epidermis that allows the new skin to replace the chemically removed skin.

What Is A Chemical Peel Used For?

The use of a chemical peel is made to rid you of the aliments and imperfections of your skin and enhance and freshen up its appearance. Some of the things a chemical peel can be used to achieve are:

Treating wrinkles that are made as a result of aging or damage to the skin because of the sun.
Reduction of dark patches caused by birth control pills or pregnancy, freckles and dark patches as well as aging spots.
Enhancing the feel and look of the skin
Helping you improve the appearance of mild scars
Treating certain types of acne that may appear on your skin over time.

What Makes Someone A Good Candidate For A Chemical Peel?

People who have the following characteristics are best placed to undergo a chemical peel:

Light Skin Tone
Fair-skinned
Suffering from Sun-damaged skin
People who are Suffering from sun spots
People who are suffering from Actinic Keratosis
Those who face uneven skin pigmentation

Who Should Not Undergo A Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels can resurface the skin and vary according to their depth. This means that different chemical peels will have different chemicals used. People who have darker skin tones should be very cautious about undergoing a chemical peel since there are chances that the color of the newly healed or formed skin will be different from the one on the face in the past.

If you’ve made up your mind, or if you are looking to get more information on chemical peels, contact us at Kole Plastic Surgery by calling 215-315-7655 today and make an appointment or schedule a free consultation with Dr. Kole.