When a person is an adolescent or in their early twenties, the absolute last thing they are thinking about is how the sun is going to affect their skin. For this reason, you see young people who will spend hours at a time in the sun without the proper sun protection, and they may even scoff at the idea of wearing sunscreen.
Fast-forward another 10 years, and now this individual is in their early thirties and may be seeing the telltale signs of sun damage. They may be battling with sunspots, uneven skin pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. While nothing can be done to go back in time and undo the effects of unprotected sun exposure, a lot can be done now to reverse some of the sun damage on the skin. One of the most popular ways to address sun damage is to get a chemical peel.
Chemical peels are very popular because they work. They have been proven time and time again to improve the appearance of a person’s skin, whether on their hands, their neck or their face. During the chemical peel process, a solution is put on the area of skin that is being treated. This solution causes the skin to exfoliate, and over time, it peels off.
The new skin that is regenerated by the body is smoother. It does not have a lot of wrinkles, and it is softer to the touch. At the same time, this new skin is more sensitive, so it will require an extra level of protection from the sun.
Chemical peels come in three different varieties. There is a superficial peel, which only affects the external layer of the skin. It is designed to make rough skin smoother, and it can improve minor imperfections in the skin. A medium chemical peel penetrates to the middle layers of the skin. These remove damaged cells and are an effective way to treat sunspots, freckles and discoloration.
A deep peel is a powerful medical procedure. It penetrates deep into the skin and can remove things like freckles, shallow scars and age spots. Patients who undergo this procedure will see a drastic change in their skin’s appearance. It will require some recovery time.
How can you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure? The best way is to talk to our professionals at the office of Dr. Joseph A. Russo, MD. During a consultation at our office in Newton, we will examine your skin and give you some indications as to whether or not a chemical peel would be right for you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to learn more.
