Chemical Peels

Chemical peels exfoliate the skin and remove surface impurities to revitalize a dull, tired complexion. At Menard Plastic Surgery we provide a variety of chemical peels to choose from for our clients throughout the Tuscaloosa area. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John Menard, Menard Plastic Surgery is one of the area’s most trusted aesthetic facilities.

What is a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels are specialized skin care treatments that remove the skin’s surface layers, uncovering a fresh, new layer of softer, smoother skin. Each chemical peel is selected for your skin type and the conditions you want to treat.

Why Consider a Chemical Peel?

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, protecting your entire body from the outside world. Sun damage and exposure to pollutants, as well as the aging process, produce skin laxity and facial wrinkles, among other concerns. Chemical peels renew your skin by uncovering a fresh new layer of skin and removing surface imperfections and impurities. The results are a renewed facial appearance and a healthier, more radiant complexion.

What Improvements Can Chemical Peels Provide?

In addition to exfoliating surface skin cells, removing dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and impurities, chemical peels may also improve the following skin conditions:

• Acne and acne scars
• Enlarged pores
• Fine lines, wrinkles, and creases
• Hyperpigmentation and discoloration
• Rosacea
• Sun spots and photodamage
• Uneven skin tone and texture

What Types of Chemical Peels Can I Choose From?

Chemical peeling is a procedure that aims to accelerate skin exfoliation by the use of chemical substances resulting in renewed, healthier looking skin and a more uniform complexion. Our practice is committed to using only the finest, highest quality and purest skin care products in our medical spa treatments. For this reason we offer SkinMedica® chemical peels, formulated by one of the world’s leading cosmetic science laboratories. You may choose from the following chemical peels:

Illuminize (Light Peel)

This light peel requires no downtime and produces no visible peeling. It helps to brighten, tighten, and tone the skin. This peel is recommended for patients who want to rejuvenate the skin, while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Most patients leave the office looking healthy and fresh. You can repeat this peel as often as every two weeks.

Vitalize Peel

The Vitalize peel is a deeper treatment than the Illuminize peel. There is more visible peeling with this peel, which may last from two to 10 days. This peel is ideally suited for patients with sun damage, brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.

Rejuvenize Peel

The Rejuvenize peel is the strongest peel in the series. It is designed to benefit patients who battle acne, acne scarring, large pores, brown spots, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles. The degree of peeling may vary depending on the patient’s skin condition and the degree of damage. The accelerated sloughing off of the skin will result in an improvement in the appearance of skin tone and texture and the smoothness of fine lines and wrinkles.

How Do Chemical Peels Work?

Chemical peels vary, depending on the strength and potency of the peel used, but typically, after we cleanse your skin thoroughly, we apply the chemical peel solution directly to your skin and leave it to act on the skin for a prescribed period of time. Lighter peels take less time, usually under an hour, while deeper peels may require up to two hours. We then apply a neutralizing agent before removing the peel. You can typically expect to resume your normal daily activities immediately.

What Happens After A Chemical Peel?

After a light peel, you will notice skin that is visibly smoother and refreshed immediately after treatment. Your skin may turn slightly pink as a result of the treatment, but this usually clears up in a few hours. With deeper peels, your skin will flake and peel for several days in a process very similar to a sunburn, finally revealing the outcome of the procedure at the end of this process. You must take extreme care to protect your skin from sun exposure, and use the professional skin care products we prescribe to promote healing and enhance your results. Lighter peels may be repeated more frequently to maintain optimal results, while deeper peels are recommended only about once a year.

Uncover a fresh new layer of skin with a chemical peel to enhance your skin’s radiance and smoothness. To set up a consultation with our master aesthetician for a chemical peel treatment, contact  Menard Plastic Surgery today. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John Menard, our practice serves residents throughout the Tuscaloosa area.