|
If you've ever used astringent-type exfoliants that you can use at home, then you would have an idea of how a chemical peel works.
A chemical peel treatment is basically the application of mild acids on one's face to remove acne, scars, pigmentation, and other blemishes. Chemical peels are advisable for people of both sexes. A chemical peel treatment would be very helpful for men who are distressed by acne scars, sun damage, freckles, and fine lines that have appeared due to ageing. There are several formulas used in chemical peel therapy. Alphahydroxy acids are basically natural acids applied on the face.
The clinician may use glycolic acid, which is from sugar cane juice, lactic acid, which is milk acid, and fruit acids. Alphahydroxy acid peels serve to reduce wrinkles, treat dry areas of the skin, reduce uneven pigmentation of the skin, help control acne, smoothen rough skin, and improve the texture of sun-damaged skin. Clinicians are also starting to use Beta hydroxy acids, because these acids are found to get into the pores better than Alphahydroxy acids, and they can control sebum production better than Alphahydroxy acids.
Another chemical used in dermatologic chemical peels is Trichloroacetic acid. This acid is related to acetic acid, which is the acid found in vinegar. This is used on darker-skinned patients. Like Alpha and Beta hydroxy acids, they smooth and soothens those fine and almost unnoticed wrinkles, remove superficial blemishes, and correct skin pigment problems. The use of this acid may possibly require a prior treatment using Retin-A or Alphahydroxy acid creams, and will require the use of sunblock for several months. If you are not satisfied with the treatments described above, you may want to try the strongest treatment of all: a phenol peel.
This chemical gets deep into the skin, and would be able to smooth out deep wrinkles and even remove precancerous growths. But they come with a "buyer beware" warning: there is a risk for patients who have heart problems, they permanently remove freckles, would take several months to heal, and would require the patient to take more caution regarding sun exposure for the rest of his life. As in any other cosmetic procedure, chemical peels should be approached with caution. Weigh your options, and always choose a clinician whose reputation precedes him or her. You should be able to trust this clinician, and you should be able to talk about your choices with him or her. Remember these tips when you are on the clinician's chair:
- Tell your clinician what you would like done. Health treatments, whether cosmetic or otherwise, should be an interactive exercise. You should not blindly go into treatment without knowing your options. That would be sheer folly, in case you won't like what the clinician used on you.
- Weigh your options before saying "yes" to a treatment. Make sure that you can take the side effects.
- Follow the pre- and post- treatment measures to be taken. This would spell the difference between a botched job and your being satisfied with the treatment's results.
In taking care of your skin, sunscreen is a must. More so if you go through peel treatments, because your new skin would be exposed, and the stronger treatments, especially the phenol treatment, would inhibit melanin from forming immediately, making your skin more vulnerable to Ultraviolet rays. By all means, go for a chemical peel. It doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman. Just make sure you have thought your options over before you take the leap into any treatment.
| 
