Chemical peels have come a long way from their origins in Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome, but the principles are the same: remove the top layer of skin where the damage is at its worst, and reveal glowing, healthy skin to look and feel younger, longer.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Chemical peels use natural acids such as alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or glycolic acid to remove the damaged outer layer of skin, where flaws like acne, age spots, pigmentation and sun damage, wrinkles, and texture irregularities reside. After a short healing period in which your skin may flake or peel, radiant, beautiful skin is revealed with improved texture, tone, and vibrancy.
Lax skin and wrinkles on the neck and sun damage on shoulders, arms, or hands can be rejuvenated with the right chemical peel like this chemical peel in Joliet, IL. There are also levels of depth. Light peels such as AHA remove dead skin cells and smooth out uneven textures of the outermost layer of skin through gentle exfoliation. Medium peels minimize acne scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles, and lighten pigmentation concerns and sun damage.
Am I a Good Candidate?
If you would like to improve your skin, reduce flaws, diminish age spots and sun damage, or minimize wrinkles and stretch marks, you may be an ideal candidate. “The best chemical peel patients are in good health with realistic expectations,” notes Dr. Kimberly Finder, a board-certified dermatologist with more than 20 years of experience. “By talking with your dermatologist, we can answer any questions you have during a comprehensive and customized consultation,” she continues.
What is Recovery Like?
Recovery time hinges largely on the depth of your chemical peel treatment. AHA peels are frequently referred to as a “lunchtime peel,” and carry only mild reddening and sensitivity aftereffects. Patients with sensitive skin may require a couple of days of social downtime with this peel. Medium and deeper depth peels go into the middle or deeper layers of your skin to even out discoloration and smooth moderate lines and wrinkles. “It can result in a sunburn-like healing response and may need up to 5-7 days of social downtime following the peeling phase,” Dr. Finder says. Patients are free to return to their daily activities when they’re comfortable with the appearance and healing progress of their skin.
What Does a Chemical Peel Cost?
“If your skin causes you significant insecurity, treatment is more of an investment than an expense,” Dr. Finder emphasizes. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons averages the price of chemical peels around $673. Mild peels may be as little as $125 while deeper peels requiring sedation and more intensive aftercare can rise to over $1000. Geographical area and physician expertise play a large role in the overall cost, as does the depth of the peel.
About The Author
Dr. Finder joined Sanova Dermatology in November 2020, practicing at the San Antonio Medical Center location. Prior to this, Dr. Finder was the Medical Director for The Face & Body Place in San Antonio from 1996 to 2020, where she specialized in aesthetic dermatology and liposuction. There she developed her expertise in Botox and Dysport, all types of fillers, Sculptra, and laser and radiofrequency treatments for a variety of cosmetic concerns. She also developed her unique approach to evaluating and creating treatment plans for patients’ aesthetic concerns with detailed and personalized consultations. This led to her being voted the best Dermatologic Surgeon in San Antonio in 2015 by other physicians, recognizing the skill and expertise she brought to help her patients.