Chemical Peel

Statement Describing the Challenge

Chemical peels are performed to improve and repair damaged skin. It is a combination of chemicals that exfoliate and rejuvenate skin, most commonly on the face. Other topical skin can be treated, usually areas that are in high contact with the sun, such as the back, neck, chest, and hands. The chemical solution works to dissolve the skin in a manner similar to sunburn; the chemicals cause the skin to blister and peel, revealing a new, undamaged layer of skin and tissue. Chemical peels are usually performed to reduce acne, improve heavy freckling from the sun, skin that has lost pigmentation or is blotchy, or tissue scarring. Chemical peels are also believed to reduce wrinkles from age and excessive sun; therefore offering an alternative motive to face lifts, brow lifts, eye lifts, soft tissue filling, skin dying, and laser resurfacing. While a mild chemical peel formula can be purchased and applied at home, a client-specific chemical combination is required in order to improve severely damaged areas of skin. Derma surgeons and other certified and qualified specialists examine each patients skin under ultra-violet and black lights to determine any skin blemishes; the mixture of Phenol, Trichloroacetic, Glycolic, and Alpha Hydroxyl acid is then determined based upon the level of burn required to reduce the topical skin problems. Although most chemical peels are done for cosmetic reasons and are becoming common household treatments, a strong combination of acid can be prescribed in order to remove the whole top layers of skin in a similar manner to CO2. This type of chemical peel requires a few days recovery while the repairing skin remains covered and protected under bandages.

Non-Drug Treatments

All Chemical peels are non-drug treatments. Some patients however, may feel a warm/hot burning and experience uneasiness; Tylenol is recommended as a pain reducer. Precautions however can help prevent the need for a chemical peel. Adequate sleep, proper sun protection, and a healthy diet improve overall skin complexion, and reduce the need of chemical treatments.

Alternative Medicine Treatments

Plastic surgery to remove wrinkles and blemishes, soft tissue fillers or Botox shots, and laser skin resurfacing are alternative medicine treatments of chemical peels.

Drug Therapy

No drug-therapy is available as an alternative to chemical peels.

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