Who Is a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

It’s not just aging that has an impact on our skin. Exposure to sun, wind, and cold, and even the changes in humidity between the seasons can leave the skin on our bodies and faces looking dull and tired. Enter the VI chemical peel. At CAS Medispa in Bloomington, IN, we are dedicated to helping our clients love the skin they’re in, and we offer the very best in medical-grade skin treatments.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels are a versatile treatment that can be used without issue on a large proportion of clients, as long as they are generally in good health. It is effective in treating several issues affecting the skin of the face and body. Candidates for treatment may come with one or more of the following issues that they would like to be improved:

Tone and Texture

If you feel that the tone of your skin is uneven or patchy, or if you’re just lacking that youthful glow that you remember, a peel can help. It will exfoliate the skin, clearing away the old dull layers and revealing fresh new skin cells below. Along with tone, uneven or unattractive skin texture is a frequent reason why clients request a peel. As the exfoliation process is completed, the skin revealed below is of a much more uniform texture.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

As we age, our bodies cease to prioritize the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. Collagen is a protein – one of the building blocks of our body – and is found in the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments, as well as in many of the organs. It is also what gives skin its bounce and elasticity.

As collagen production declines, the skin loses some of that elasticity and fine lines and wrinkles can develop. However, when stimulated by the chemical exfoliation of the peel, the skin will again prioritize the making of collagen and elastin, leading to a decrease in a number of the signs of aging.

Sun Damage and Hyperpigmentation

Chemical peels can lighten areas of the skin damaged by the sun, as well as other pigmentation issues. One of the key ingredients of the VI peel is phenol, one of the most effective substances for treating freckles and skin discoloration.

Moderate Acne

You might think that a chemical peel would irritate the skin and cause acne to be worse. However, this is not the case. VI peels and other light-to-medium peels are often used to improve acne. The peel works to exfoliate, unclog pores, reduce oil production and inflammation, and kill the bacteria that cause acne. VI peels also contain salicylic acid, one of the most effective treatments for acne scarring.

Scarring

As well as being effective for treating acne scarring, our peels can ameliorate the appearance of many other kinds of scarring on the body and face. After you have healed from your peel you are likely to see that your scarring is lessened in both depth and coloration.

Keratosis Pilaris

These are little bumps that are found on the skin, often on the upper arms. Though this condition is harmless, it can lead to feeling less attractive. There are a number of topical products that can treat this condition, but they often take some time to work. On the other hand, a chemical peel can exfoliate away the bumps in one treatment, leaving fresh, smooth skin behind.

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Treatment?

Though this peel is mild and well-tolerated by the majority of clients, there are a few things you should bear in mind. Pregnancy, estrogen use (such as that used during HRT), and excessive sun exposure immediately after your peel are all risk factors for developing dark spots. In addition, there have not been extensive tests done on the effects of all the peel ingredients on those who are pregnant or nursing.  For this reason, we do not usually offer this treatment to patients who fall into these criteria.

If you have dark skin, you may be concerned about the risk of developing hyperpigmentation after a chemical peel, however, VI peels should be able to be administered to clients of all skin tones without risk. If this is an area of concern, then please be sure to mention it during your consultation, as we will be able either to reassure you or to recommend a more suitable rejuvenation treatment.

What Exactly Is a VI Peel?

The VI peel is a medium-depth peel that penetrates through the top layer of skin (the epidermis) into the layer below (the dermis). It is powerful enough to solve a wide variety of skin issues but gentle enough to be used not only on the body and face but even on the eyelids! 

It is made up of a trademarked blend of ingredients that target different areas of the skin. These include:

• Trichloracetic acid (TCA)
• Phenol
• Salicylic acid
• Vitamin C
• Tretinoin

How Long Until I See Results?

The results of a peel are not immediate. During the treatment, your practitioner will apply the peel in two layers. Once the second layer is applied, your skin will turn white, or “frost.” You can wash off the peel around five hours later. However, your skin will not start peeling until about 3 days afterward. To help your results along, you can avoid sun exposure, keep your skin moisturized, and ensure that you are well hydrated. You should also avoid hurrying the peeling process along or pulling at the skin; it will come off when it is ready!

Get that Glow

Whether you have scarring, hyperpigmentation, or just feel that your skin is lacking in luster, get in touch with us today at CAS Medispa in Bloomington, IN, to find out more about our chemical peels. When you come for consultation, we will assess the best way to move forward and help you to achieve your aesthetic goals.