Chemical Peels for Sun Damage

Summertime is here, which means we’ll be spending more time outdoors enjoying the sunny weather… and with it, the unfortunate side effects of sun damage. If you’re suffering from skin pigmentation spots, premature wrinkles or other signs of sun damage, a chemical peel might be the perfect solution for you!

McLean Clinic offers chemical peels for sun damage in order to rejuvenate the skin and get it back to looking its best. The chemical exfoliation of a peel encourages your skin to eradicate damaged, dead cells in order to replace them with newer, healthier ones. Don’t let sun damage keep you from feeling confident in your skin. Find out more about our chemical peels for sun damage.

What is a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels, also known as epidermal peels, have been used in the cosmetic industry now for decades. It’s a very safe and non-invasive procedure that can be completed in as little as 30 minutes – perfect if you wanted to book an appointment for your lunch break. It can be used to treat a variety of different skin conditions such as signs of aging, discolouration, and of course, sun damage.

The most common chemical peels use lactic acid, glycolic acid (AHA) and/or salicylic acid (BHA). A technician will thoroughly clean your skin before applying one or more chemical solutions to the area being treated. This will result in the outermost layers of your skin to peel off, revealing the newer, younger skin cells beneath.

There are generally three “levels” of peels to choose from – light, medium and deep – that will determine what level of pain or discomfort you may experience during the procedure. Most patients will experience a warm sensation in the area of their skin being treated during the procedure. Some slight stinging may occur if you have more sensitive skin, but it should only last for five to ten minutes. If needed, cold compresses can be applied to ease the pain, as well as pain medication for deeper peels. The results of your chemical peel for sun damage will depend on the “depth” of the procedure chosen.

How a Chemical Peel Can Help with Sun Damage

UV rays ultimately cause the skin’s DNA makeup to change and there are plenty of lasting, and potentially dangerous, side effects that come with it. The dangers of sun damage include slower cell renewal, the creation of unhealthy cells, premature aging and hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels for sun damage can help correct all of these adverse effects.

A chemical peel’s main function is to remove damaged skin cells that hold on to pigmentation and encourage skin cells to replenish at a faster and more efficient rate. Signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin can be improved increasing healthier cell growth. Additionally, by removing damaged skin cells, chemical peels reduce the risk of future problems such as skin cancer. In general, a chemical peel for sun damage will improve your skin’s overall texture, appearance and tone.

Chemical peels are most commonly used on the face and neck, but other parts of the body can be treated as well, including the arms, chest, back, hands and feet. For effective long-term results, peels should be done in a series of six treatments. Light peels should be repeated in one- to four-week intervals and medium peels repeated every six to 12 months.

Improve the look of sun-damaged skin with a chemical peel at McLean Clinic. To further improve your results, you can implement at-home medical grade skin care and regular microdermabrasion sessions in combination with your chemical peel treatments.

Are You a Good Candidate?

To determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for a chemical peel for sun damage, you can book a complimentary consultation with one of our expert dermatologists. In this session, you will discuss the condition of your sun-damaged skin as well as your treatment goals to establish the correct depth of the chemical peel.

Other factors that you’ll discuss during your consultation before undergoing a chemical peel treatment for sun damage including whether or not you have a history of scarring, persistent cold sores or facial X-rays; if you have taken any medications or supplements that can cause blood clots (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen or vitamin E) 10 days prior to the procedure; or if you are currently on any medications such as Renova, Retin-A or glycolic acid.

If you are currently suffering from dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis or rosacea; have an infection; are presently pregnant or nursing; or have taken Accutane within the last six months, you should consider postponing your treatment to a future date.

Aftercare Instructions

You can expect to experience minor peeling or flaking of the skin after your treatment. You might also notice a mild redness on the treated skin, a slight stinging sensation, swelling and potential blistering. These side effects are very common and should subside on their own within a few days.

While a chemical peel for sun damage will reduce the effects of the sun’s rays on your skin, it will also make you more sensitive to them afterwards. You should avoid the sun and tanning beds for several months following a procedure. Stick to the shade, wear a hat and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis.

Reduce the sun’s effects on your skin and give yourself a healthier glow. To learn more about chemical peels for sun damage by calling us at 866-731-0431 or book your free consultation.