Could Peeling Be Good for Your Skin?

Peeling is something that typically occurs after a bad sunburn. Most of us learned early in life that a sunburn could lead to problems later in life. Sunburns significantly increase the chances of skin cancer. They also damage the deeper layers of the skin, resulting in problems like dark spots, rough texture, and more. As counterintuitive as it may sound, we often turn to peeling as an effective solution to the frustrating signs of sun damage. Here’s why.

What a Chemical Peel Can Do

Peeling from a sunburn is bad. Peeling from a professional treatment is good. How can this be? When the skin peels from a sunburn, it is because too much ultraviolet light has been absorbed. This light penetrates multiple layers of the skin, causing damage at the cellular level. This damage is associated with the early formation of dark spots and other pigment problems. These discoloration issues originate in skin cells that move up from deeper layers of the skin to eventually live on the epidermis. What a chemical peel does is speed up the process of cellular renewal. In so doing, each peel brings healthier skin cells upward, until they reach the visible layer of the skin.

Peels Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

The signs of sun damage and aging don’t occur at a specific age, nor do they develop to the same degree in all people. Typically, the more sun exposure a person has had, the more damage their skin has sustained. By customizing peels to each individual, professionals can effectively solve problems as quickly and conveniently as possible. Chemical peels range from light to deep.

• Light chemical peels are often called lunchtime peels. This is because they do not cause noticeable side effects. A light peel does, however, stimulate cells to slough off more quickly. This option is so gentle that it can be performed monthly.
• Medium chemical peels reach beyond the most superficial layer of the skin to address more prominent problems like dark spots, scars, and rough texture. A medium peel can cause redness that lasts a few days. This may look somewhat like a moderate sunburn. After about 3 days, the skin flakes. Mild peeling may occur, as well. By a week after the peel, the skin is refreshed and glowing. Medium peels may be performed every 6 to 8 weeks.
• Deep chemical peels, also called TCA peels for the use of trichloroacetic acid, are formulated to correct advanced sun damage; darker sunspots, fine lines, and precancerous growths. Patients typically schedule about a week off from normal activities to allow peeling, flaking, and redness to fully resolve. This treatment may not need to be repeated for years.

Your skin is affected by age, sun exposure, and much more. We can help you manage dermatologic health with chemical peels, laser treatments, and other services. To schedule a skin rejuvenating visit at our Teaneck, NJ office, call 201.836.9696.