A chemical peel in Louisiana is a cosmetic treatment that can revitalize and renew your facial skin. At Allure Enhancement Center in Lafayette, LA, we can correct tone inconsistencies, minimize wrinkles, and give you a beautiful, youthful glow. Come visit us today to find what a chemical peel treatment can work for you.
Chemical Peel Benefits
Fewer Wrinkles
A chemical peel is designed to take away the superficial layer of your skin to reveal new skin underneath the surface. Wrinkles and fine lines are a result of aging skin. This is because the skin decreases its production of collagen and because of factors like sun exposure, harsh outdoor conditions, and pollutants in the air.
A peel revitalizes the skin by getting rid of the damaged areas. It also stimulates skin cells to heal themselves and create more collagen. For these reasons, a peel can significantly reduce wrinkles. If lines and wrinkles are particularly deep, a more intense peel may be indicated.
Brighter Skin
Skin can become dull over time. When new skin is revealed, that skin will have a bright, youthful glow. Increased blood flow and a renewed ability for skin cells to heal themselves can make skin brighter.
Even Tone
Discoloration often occurs because of aging and sun damage. Sometimes this can be significant. When the superficial layer of skin is removed, the new skin will have an even, healthy tone.
Decreased Acne
The top layer of skins contains oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and other foreign particles that are the cause of types of acne like whiteheads and blackheads. The revitalized skin that will be present after the peel will be clean and clear of these intruders. This gives your acne-prone skin a new start.
Improved Skin Texture
As you age, you may be dealing with uneven skin texture. Your skin might have a crepey look or be especially rough. After the skin from the peel has healed, the texture of your skin will once again be undamaged and smooth. The skin will also be tighter, causing any problems with sagging to be reduced.
Faded Scars
You can expect fading or even elimination of any superficial facial scars you have carried. These may be scars from injuries or from bouts of acne. If your scars go deeper, a more intense peel may help to eliminate them.
Younger Appearance
The result of a chemical peel is an overall younger look and fresher face. Reduction in lines, improved tone, and more even texture all work together to take years off your appearance because the telltale signs of aging will be removed.
Better Product Absorption
Your peel will open the pores on your skin and give you fresh skin without the old particles that were once present This means that you will be better able to absorb skincare products like moisturizers and serums. This brings additional benefits and helps your results last longer.
Process
Consultation
The first step in the process is to come in for a consultation and assessment of your needs. We will listen to your concerns about your facial skin and discuss your options for treatment. We will also answer questions you have and provide you with information on what to expect from treatment. To determine whether you are a good candidate for a peel, we will ask you a series of questions.
We will need to know some things about your lifestyle including whether you are a smoker and how much alcohol you drink regularly. We will also ask you about any medication you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter. This will include vitamins and supplements. Please be prepared to tell us about any previous procedures you have had or ongoing health concerns.
Preparation
Cleaning
When you come in for your treatment appointment, the medical team will begin by cleaning your face. This is to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria that can irritate the skin or interfere with treatment.
Anesthesia
In some cases, we will provide a topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the peel. You and the doctor will determine together whether this is necessary. It will depend on your personal preferences as well as the extent of the treatment.
Sedation
For more intense treatments, sedation may be indicated for the process depending on which chemicals are being used and how much treatment is needed. Whether or not you need sedation and what type of sedation should be used will be between you and the medical team and will be determined in advance.
Application
The doctor will apply a solution to your skin using a sponge, cotton ball, or applicator. The solution used will depend on the expected results and depth of treatment. Some chemicals typically used are glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid. A combination of these substances may also be used.
After the solution is applied, the doctor may apply a cold compress or a neutralizing solution to stop the effects of the chemicals. You may also have a fan to hold near your face for cooling. This depends on the types of chemicals that are being used.
Timeline
The appointment for treatment will take between about 20 minutes and 90 minutes depending on how much is being done and how deep the peel will go. After the process is over, you are free to leave the office.
You should begin to see some new skin growth within three to five days after the appointment, and you should see significant changes within a week. Full healing and results will take a week or two. If you discover that you’d like more significant results, you can repeat the treatment after you have healed.
Results
The results of your peel may last anywhere from about two months to more than a year. This is dependent on the depth of your peel and how much was treated. If you had a superficial, light peel, the results will not last as long as those from a deep peel.
You can increase the length of time your results last by taking excellent care of your skin and refraining from smoking.
Preparation
Medications
Before your peel, we will give you instructions on how to best prepare for your appointment. One important instruction will refer to medication. You will be given a list of medications that you will need to avoid in the days leading up to your treatment. These may include anti-inflammatories and medicines that can make your blood thinner. If you have a question about making a specific medication, please ask us.
You may also be given prescriptions or recommendations for medications to take before your treatment or have available afterward. Please purchase these medications and fill any prescription in advance. These may include antiviral medications, antibiotics, or pain killers. Whether you will be prescribed medication will depend on your specific circumstances.
Exposure to Sun
You should limit exposing your skin to the sun in the weeks leading up to your treatment. Sun exposure is a major cause of skin damage, so it is a good idea to protect your skin at all times, whether you are preparing for a treatment or not. Keeping your skin protected will also extend the results of your peel.
You can avoid sun damage by wearing sunscreen any time you are outside as well as covering up with a hat or clothing. Be especially careful not to get a sunburn because that can cause your treatment to have to be postponed.
Other Treatments
Please let us know about any other skin treatments you have scheduled such as filler injections or topical treatments. We may ask you to leave a specific amount of time between treatments to get the best results from everything you do.
Topical Products
We may ask you to avoid using certain types of topical skincare products before your treatment. This is because some products can interfere with the results of your treatment. This may include exfoliants and certain chemical-based products. Please let us know about any skincare products you use regularly.
Smoking
Smoking is especially damaging to your face and can quickly age your skin. If you are a smoker, we advise you to quit if at all possible. If you cannot quit, you should abstain for at least a few days before your treatment. Refraining from smoking after your treatment will also help you have longer-lasting results.
Help at Home
Before your treatment, you should make arrangements to have someone take you home from your appointment. You may wish to have that person stay with you for a day or two during the beginning of your recovery.
After Treatment
Hydrate
It will be important to keep your face hydrated as you heal from the treatment. We will help you determine the right moisturizing product to use and give you instructions for how much you should be applying. You will also want to drink plenty of water and avoid hot showers or saunas that can dry out your skin.
Use Sunscreen
You will need to be especially careful to protect your healing skin from the sun. Use sunscreen and keep your skin covered when you go outside.
Medications
Be sure to take any medications we have prescribed as indicated. and avoid the medications we have recommended you not take. Ask us if you have questions about medications.
Skincare Products
Talk to us about the skincare products you use, and we will help you come up with a plan for starting the use of those products again after your treatment. There are certain types of products you may need to avoid while your skin heals.
Follow-Up Appointments
We will schedule follow-up appointments so we can check on your healing progress and see your results. Please keep all appointments on schedule and reschedule as soon as possible if you have to miss an appointment. We want to make sure your treatments are working and that there are no problems.
Beautiful, Fresh Skin
Once you have healed from your peel, you will find that your skin is revitalized and fresh. You will have the confidence that comes from a youthful, radiant appearance. Contact Allure Enhancement Center in Lafayette, LA to schedule a consultation We would love to have you come in and talk to us about any concerns you have regarding your skin and what you would like to see changed.
You can have the radiant glow and smooth complexion you had before aging deteriorated your skin. Talk to us about your options and to determine if a chemical peel is the best choice for you.