Ah, the Spa, Part I

Make-up can do a lot for your appearance, but spa treatments can do even more. This series is going to discuss a lot of different aspects of the spa from facials to Botox. Although expensive and slightly frightening, some of these treatments can make a dramatic difference in your appearance. For those readers who may want to start the new year by getting rid of those acne scars leftover from her teen years of those varicose veins appearing in your middle-aged years, this next series is going to give you the lowdown all these new treatments.

We are going to begin by discussing chemical peels, a procedure I mentioned in last week’s post on acne. Chemical peels are used to help reduce acne, but there other reasons people choose them as well. Chemical peels can reduce fine lines and treat wrinkles, improve mild scarring, reduce dark patches like freckles and age spots, and improve the general appearance of skin.

Chemical peels can be performed as an outpatient procedure at a medical spa or a doctor’s office. They normally use four different chemicals: Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), Betahdroxy acid (BHA), Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and phenol. The formula may vary from doctor’s office to doctor’s office or patient to patient.

AHAs can control acne and improve skin texture. BHA is a bit stronger than AHA, but it focuses on the same problems. TCA can smooth some wrinkles, even out pigment, and remove some blemishes. Phenol, the harshest of the three chemicals, can remove more stubborn wrinkles and blemishes, and it is also used to remove pre-cancerous growths.

Chemical peels don’t take very long and can be very effective. Depending on why you are using a chemical peel, they will usually be applied as a gel on your face for five to ten minutes. And they hurt. Some of you may have higher pain tolerance than me, but I found chemical peels quite painful. In addition to the hot, stinging sensation, they can also itch.

Chemical peels are usually provided in a series of treatments to work on the problem you are attempting to fix. How long you go between treatments depends on the depth of your peel (an AHA peel being the least deep and a Phenol peel being the deepest). After the treatment, your skin will normally be red and blotchy and very sensitive to sunlight. Using sunscreen, while always important, is even more important while being treated with chemical peels. The blotchiness generally goes away in a few days.

Chemical peels can be very effective, but they are not necessarily for everyone. As I mentioned in my acne post, I had terrible side effects from chemical peels. Rather than making my skin better, the peels seemed to make my skin worse. Talk to a licensed dermatologist or aesthetician to determine if chemical peels are good for you.