Pages

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Information About Chemical Peels San Diego Patients Will Find Helpful

By Coleen Torres


Just about everyone feels unhappy as they start to show signs of aging, especially in the face. Some people opt to undergo a facelift, but not everyone requires such an extreme approach. A chemical peel is a less invasive technique which is often used to minimize fine wrinkles around the mouth, forehead, and eyes in particular. When interested in chemical peels San Diego patients must find out if they are a good candidate for this procedure and what is involved in it.

This procedure involves applying a solution to the skin which causes it to blister and peel away, revealing fresh, new skin underneath. It is offered in varying levels of intensity, according to the particular formulation of the peeling agent used. Some penetrate deeper than others, it all depends on the area being treated.

A chemical peel can be used on the neck and hands as well as on the face to give them a refreshed look. Besides reducing the appearance of wrinkles, it will also make some scars, age spots, freckles, and other pigmented areas less visible. The skin will look more supple afterwards, however it will be more sensitive to the sun's UV rays, so a broad spectrum sunscreen must be used.

The best candidates for this treatment are those with lighter complexions, however it can also produce good results for those who have darker skin too. It does not help correct issues such as sagging skin and deep lines, these are better addressed using another approach such as fillers, or a surgical lift.

At the initial consultation, the doctor will ask the patient what his or her reasons are for wanting this procedure and examine the area to be treated to determine the most suitable depth for the peel. Retin-A or glycolic acid may be prescribed to start preparing the skin, along with an antibiotic as a precaution against infection. Those who are prone to scarring or have recurrent cold sore, may be advised against this procedure.

This procedure is done on an outpatient basis at the physician's office The skin will first be thoroughly cleansed, then the peeling agent will be applied. Sometimes one solution will suffice, other times a combination of acid solution are employed. Patients can expect to feel some discomfort, namely a "burning" sensation as the old layer of skin is chemically dissolved to make way for the new one. This stinging feeling can normally be controlled using cold compresses and analgesics.

After a peel, the skin looks as though it has been sunburned and follows a similar process. Redness and scaling are to be expected, depending on the depth of the peel, it can take anywhere from three to fourteen days to heal, bandages may be worn to protect the tender skin. Surface peels may be repeated in one to four weeks, but deeper ones cannot be done again until six to twelve months later.

Before deciding to undergo a peel, patients must expect that their initial appearance may be startling, and that it is a procedure that requires a few days of "down time", but in the end, most are quite happy with the results. Rarely, someone will experience a change in skin tone or hyper-pigmentation, but this is usually due to hormonal or genetic predisposition and is not common.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment