Understanding Chemical Peels: How They Work The skin has many layers. Skin cells are formed deep within the skin itself and as the cells mature, they make their way toward the surface of the skin. In fact, the outermost layer of skin is actually made up of dead skin cells that had migrated from deeper layers. A chemical peel removes the outer layers of skin to reveal younger skin beneath, literally. Not only are the skin cells younger because they were “born” more recently than skin cells in outer layers, but the skin that remains after a chemical peel appears younger and smoother. Effects of Aging and Sun Damage on Skin Ultraviolet light from the sun and the ravages of time make the skin appear old. The skin becomes lax, discolored, wrinkled, and blotchy however most of the physical entities that cause these blemishes reside in the outer layers of skin. The more layers of skin that rest on top of scars, folds, and wrinkles, the deeper they appear. By extension, these blemishes are more noticeable and unappealing. Thus by chemically removing the outer layers of skin, scars and wrinkles are minimized. Also, discolorations and blotches appear less intense compared to the surrounding skin. The Science Behind Chemical Peels There is really nothing glamorous about a chemical peel. Often the substance used to remove the outer layers of skin is some sort of acid. What is actually occurring in a chemical peel is that the peel is disrupting the connections between skin cells and actually destroying the cells themselves. Stronger agents, like phenol, rapidly destroy skin cells while milder...
Dallas is the third largest city in Texas and is the primary economic center in its metropolitan area. It began as railroad city with strong cotton and oil industries. Today its economy has diversified into the fields of banking, commerce, computer technology, energy, telecommunications, and transportation. In fact, the city hosts many Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T and Texas Instruments. Cosmetic Surgery in Dallas Dallas has become one of the most sought-after cities in Texas for cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures. The city’s reputation for innovation and high medical standards attracts patients from across the state and the country. Whether you’re looking for subtle enhancements or major transformations, board-certified Dallas plastic surgeons offer advanced treatments using the latest technology. Popular procedures include breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, and facial rejuvenation treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers. Dallas also has a successful cosmetic surgery market with a variety of services being offered in the area such as: Face Lift – Drooping eyelids, sagging cheeks, laugh lines, and deep wrinkles are just a few of the facial blemishes that really show your age. Instead of waiting weeks for a cream or ointment to make them disappear, you can have a face lift instead. It’s a fast and effective procedure that removes the telltale signs of age, leaving you looking young and beautiful once more. Chemical Skin Peeling – There are many different ways to remove skin blemishes, but probably none as effective as chemical skin peeling. This is a cosmetic procedure that uses chemicals that go deep into your skin to remove damaged cells and tissue. The dead, blemished skin...
The face is the most important component of a person’s physical identity. It is how we identify ourselves among other people, and is how we express our feelings and emotions. It is also a good indicator of a person’s age, health, diet, and overall well-being, which is why when wrinkles begin to appear, it is of much concern to image-conscious people. This, is because wrinkles are big signs of aging. Some try to hide wrinkles using make-up. Others try to prevent it by having a healthy diet and lifestyle. But wrinkles are inevitable, and sometimes, one needs extra treatments to remove them. Two of these available facial rejuvenation treatments, are mesotherapy, and sonic therapy. What Is Mesotherapy and Sonic Therapy? Mesotherapy is the procedure of injecting mixed medications and formulations into the patient’s skin, to treat various medical conditions. In the case of facial rejuvenation, this is used to treat wrinkles, revitalize dry skin, remove excess facial fat, and many more. For the face, mesotherapy comes in the forms of MesoGlow and MesoLift, with each method requiring the use of dozens of tiny needles to deliver the medication into the skin. The mixture of medication depends on the the area and the severity of the problem. Sonic facial therapy, also known as ultra-sonic facial therapy uses sound waves to stimulate the skin cells of the face. This is done by raising the temperature in the skin, to increase the surrounding’s metabolic rate. By increasing the circulation, a chain-reaction of benefits for skin begins, which include cell wall cleansing, healing, and regeneration. Who Should Consider MesoSonic Facial Rejuvenation? MesoSonic facial...
The skin is the biggest organ in the body. It covers almost everything, and is a good way to show a person’s health, well-being, and age. The good thing about skin is that it naturally replaces itself. Old, rough, dead skin cells get shed to make way for younger, more youthful looking skin. This means that the skin is able to look younger through natural means. Unfortunately, the natural process takes too long, and usually when it does happen, the effects are barely noticeable to the naked eye. Plastic surgery has an answer to this in the form of chemical peeling. Chemical peels have existed in some primitive form or another since mankind has become conscious about beauty. Whether it be complex oils of the Egyptians, to natural oils and scrubs of Indians, chemical peels have played an important role in the history of human beauty. Chemical Peel Benefits Nowadays, however, chemical peels are now more easily available to the masses, as opposed to its ancient counterparts that were usually reserved for the noble and elite. Not to mention, modern chemical peels are more effective, able to yield almost instant results upon application. Facial chemical peels can help eliminate fine wrinkles and lines, blotched pigments, scars from acne, and pimples. Chemical peels can also make the skin softer and more moisturized, having a more rejuvenated look. However, there are also more practical reasons to have a chemical peel. Acne can be a horrendous thing to deal with, especially for teenagers, but mostly for adults who think that acne will be gone soon after puberty ends, which in some cases,...
Part of the appeal and benefit of skin peels is that they are so versatile. They can be used just about anywhere on your body and provide a range of benefits from giving your skin a “refreshed” look to taking years off your face. People often mistake microdermabrasion procedures for chemical peels. While the result is similar (removal of older dead skin cells to reveal younger skin), the mechanism of action is quite different. In microdermabrasion, physical exfoliation is used to break the glue that holds cells together. In peels, chemicals work to dissolve the glue that holds the cells together. Chemical peels can be used for a whole list of problems, including improving skin hyperpigmentation, reducing mild scarring, correcting mild photoaging, removing excess skin oil and blackheads, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels cannot reduce blood vessels, are not recommended for dark-skinned individuals, and will not provide the same effect as a face lift. While a chemical peel cannot reduce the size of a pore, it can minimize a pore’s appearance. When preparing for a peel, it is helpful to exfoliate for a week or two leading up to the procedure. Peels and microdermabrasion are most effective when used together. If preparing for a deeper peel, check with your doctor. Very superficial peels, like Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Facial peel or beta-hydroxy products helps to smooth out roughened areas, remove blackheads, aids in application of self-tanning products and stimulates collagen regrowth (vitamin A peels). These types of peels can be do-it-yourself at home and affect only the outermost layer of epidermal skin cells. Superficial peels are generally...
Chemical peels as a way to erase the signs of aging have already been discussed, but a cosmetic procedure called a phenol peel is so effective it required its own article. What Makes a Phenol Peel Different? Phenol peels differ from your average chemical peel in that this is the deepest chemical peel available, and it uses carbolic acid to exfoliate. In comparison to other peels, phenol peels are effective for deep wrinkles around the chin and lips and is used for severe photoaging and hyperpigmentation. This type of treatment works very well for fair skinned individuals. Another advantage is that phenol peels’ effects last longer than the regular peel. Results are dramatic, and most patients are very pleased. Phenol peels are not for everyone. Discuss with your cosmetic dermatologist to see if this procedure is right for you: it is only suitable for use on the face, and is not recommended for dark-skinned individuals or people with heart disease. It will dramatically lighten dark skin, changing it to white. Another factor that may cause you to reconsider a phenol peel is if you are covered in freckles, as a phenol peel will remove them. If you have never had a phenol peel before, it is a good idea to try it out in a small area before have it applied to your whole face. Very rarely, an individual can have an adverse reaction to the phenol solution resulting in scarring, bleaching, enlarged skin pores and an inability to tan. Test in a small area first. How Does a Phenol Peel Work? A phenol peel works in the same...
A power peel is a nonsurgical procedure that involves using micro-dermabrasion methods to improve skin texture. It is considered a very safe treatment with minimal side effects. Ideal candidates for this procedure include healthy women and men who possess expectations that are realistic, and an even skin tone. The power peel treatment is also ideal for those candidates who cannot miss too much time from work, active people who need to resume social and outdoor activities, those with sensitive skin, those with acne-prone skin, and younger individuals with early skin developments. Benefits of Procedure In the power peel technique, the use of anesthetics is not mandatory. For deeper peels, a topical cream is usually given beforehand. It treats all skin types safely. Some light irritation may occur on very sensitive skin. The power peel clears up sun damaged skin and lightens up acne and post surgical scars. Skin is left feeling smoother and softer. Procedure A technician administers the skin polishing using a hand held device, held at a precise angle. The tech will use micro-crystals that are suctioned from the device onto the skin. It is mildly abrasive and lasts only twenty minutes. Treatments are usually repeated once a week. Two to twelve sessions are recommended for maximum results. Results Results can be seen after the initial power peel and skin will appear to be a pinkish color. Acne scars should be less visual. Fine lines and age spots will be smoothed away, revealing younger-appearing skin. How to Choose Between a Power Peel and a Chemical Peel When deciding between a power peel and a chemical peel, consider...
A chemical peel, also known as a chemexfoliation, is a cosmetic and medical procedure designed to improve the appearance of a patient’s skin (usually the face), as well as to treat certain dermatological disorders such as acne. There are many different types of chemical peels, but each involve the application of an acidic solution which “burns” the upper layers of skin away, thereby allowing new, healthier looking skin to surface. The process of removing old, desiccated skin is a natural occurrence; a chemical peel simply speeds this process up. Because the solution stings when applied, patients are advised to take an over-the-counter pain killer prior to the treatment. Chemical Peel Solutions Alpha-hydroxy Acid One of the most popular solutions for a chemical peel is known as alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), and is commonly sold in stores for home use; albeit, in concentrations of less than 10 percent, significantly lower than what a medical professional would use on a patient. One type of AHA is known as Glycolic Acid, a natural substance found in sugarcane and many types of fruit. It’s typically used in concentrations of 20 to 80 percent; the stronger concentration offering the most benefits. Alpha-hydroxy acid peels are best as an acne treatment, but are somewhat beneficial as a treatment for fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and deep wrinkles. The risks are generally low, and the recovery time is short. Immediately following the chemical peel, patients can expect peeling and redness which can last between one and three weeks. The effects of the treatment generally last between one and three months, with another treatment being necessary to maintain skin...
Glycolic acid peels slough away the upper layer of dead skin cells, allowing anti-aging skin benefits. It is a mild chemical peel that is generally applied to the face, but is also used to improve skin care appearance of the hands, upper chest, neck and arms. Glycolic peels treat pigmentation problems, removes freckles and acne, and treats sun-damage. It can also stimulate the production of new collagen, improving skin texture. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from fruit and sugar cane. Glycolic Peel Procedure The glycolic peel process only takes about twenty minutes. The patient’s face is first washed and cleansed, and then the glycolic acid solution is applied for several minutes. The gylcolic peel will sting, so an over-the-counter painkiller is recommended before the treatment begins. Finally, the glycolic peel is neutralized with an alkaline substance such as sodium bicarbonate or washed away with water. When the treatment is complete, the skin will appear to be pinkish in color. Best Candidates for Glycolic Acid Chemical Peels Glycolic acid peels are ideal for individuals with mild to moderate skin concerns such as dullness, uneven pigmentation, fine lines, or acne-prone skin. Because it is a gentle alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), it is generally well tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin. However, those with extremely sensitive or reactive skin, active eczema, rosacea, or open wounds should consult a dermatologist before undergoing this chemical exfoliation. Glycolic acid is especially effective for improving skin care on sun-damaged areas and can be a great alternative to more aggressive treatments like deep peels or laser resurfacing. How Often Should You Get a Glycolic Peel?...
Face Lift Surgery A face lift is a cosmetic lift surgery that involves removing excess facial skin, making the face look younger. The aging face develops looser skin, loses skin elasticity, and loses muscle tone and fat. There are some other procedures which could be needed to achieve the best goals. These include: chin implants, cheek implants, a laser or chemical peel, brow lift, forehead lift, removal of the fat pad within the cheek, autologous fat injection, liposuction, eyelid surgery and a neck lift. Procedure The cosmetic lift surgery is started by making an incision in the temporal region. The incision is then extended downward in front of the ear, coming underneath the ear and extending upward behind the ear, and eventually ending in the hairline behind the ear. The fatty tissues and skin will be lifted from the underlying connective tissue as far as needed to improve the problem with loose skin. The underlying connective tissues may be tightened with stitches, if the plastic surgeon deems necessary. The next step of the cosmetic lift surgery involves pulling back the skin and removing the excess skin. Stitches and skin staples are used to close the treated area. Sterile bandages are then applied. Risks The complications of having a face lift are infrequent, yet some risks can include loss of skin from tissue death, unevenness between the two sides, hair loss surrounding the incision site, a widened scar, temporary loss of muscle function, infection, and bruising. Recovery A cosmetic surgery face lift usually achieves its goal of making the face appear more youthful. The results typically last up to ten years....
