Is a Chemical Peel Right for You?
The facial skin is exposed to a lot of harsh elements. Skin, wind, and pollutants can age the skin and lead to imperfections such as lines, wrinkles, age spots, and general discoloration. Chemical peels resurface the skin to enhance its overall appearance. A chemical peel can improve the tone and texture of the skin while addressing specific cosmetic concerns. Dr. Patricia Berbari offers varying levels of chemical peels to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients wondering if they are ideal candidates for a chemical peel at our Gatineau, QC, practice can learn more about the conditions that can be corrected through this procedure.
Age Spots and Uneven Pigmentation
As patients age, many develop age spots, or small areas of the skin that appear light brown in color. It is also common for skin pigmentation to change. The skin may take on more of a red appearance, or patches of discoloration may develop. Age spots and uneven pigmentation both make the skin look worn and weathered. A chemical peel removes damaged skin to regenerate healthier skin cells. Chemical peels can minimize signs of age spots and restore a more even skin tone. Depending on how severe pigmentation issues are, Dr. Berbari may recommend a light, medium, or deep chemical peel.
Lines and Wrinkles
Lines, wrinkles, and creases form as skin elasticity diminishes. Wrinkles are most likely to develop where muscle movements are repetitive, such as areas of the face that are used to make expressions. Most people believe that plastic surgery is the only way to effectively addresses facial lines and creases. However, a chemical peel improves the tone of the skin and can soften wrinkles to provide patients with a more youthful appearance. A light chemical peel can effectively improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while a medium or deep chemical peel can address more deep-set wrinkles.
Facial Scars and Acne
Facial scars and acne are not necessarily related to a patient’s age, but they can certainly give the skin a more aged, damaged appearance. Although many creams and over-the-counter products promise to diminish scars and acne marks, few provide the results the patient had hoped for. A chemical peel removes damaged skin cells to treat acne and scarring. While a light chemical peel can be successful in treating some cases of acne, facial scars are better-suited to a medium or deep chemical peel.
Patients with any of the above cosmetic concerns may be ideal candidates for a chemical peel. Although a chemical peel is a minimally invasive procedure, it is important that patients who undergo treatment are in good overall health and refrain from smoking in the weeks leading up to and following their chemical peel. Patients should also understand that skin pigmentation can affect the results of a chemical peel. Patients with fair hair and skin tend to see the best chemical peel results, but darker-skinned patients may still be candidates for the procedure.
Contact Us
If you are interested in softening the appearance of lines and wrinkles and improving the overall tone and texture of the skin, you may be an ideal candidate for a chemical peel. To learn more about this procedure and the other skin treatments offered by Dr. Patricia Berbari, contact us at your earliest convenience.