Learn About Chemical Peels in Santa Barbara
Chemical Peels 101: Chemical Peels Offered at Evolutions Medical Spa Santa Barbara
Evolutions Medical Spa offers mild, medium and deep peels as single treatments and also as series. Two of the most common types of peels used are: Alphahydroxy acids (AHA’s) and Trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
Alphahydroxy Acid Chemical Peels (“Mild” Peel)
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels. These types of peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who can’t spare the time to recover from a TCA peel.
With a mild AHA peel, you probably won’t peel at all, but, only get some temporary redness and/or dryness. And the process that you experience will not prevent you from working or engaging in your normal activities. Improvements from AHA peels may be very subtle at first. You may detect a healthier glow to your skin. With continued treatments, you will notice a general improvement in the texture of your skin.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Chemical Peels (“Medium” Peel)
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations, but it is most commonly used for medium to deeper depth peeling. With a medium strength TCA peel, you could actually go out to dinner that night (with a little makeup). You might be a little red and tight, but, no one would know that you just had a peel solution applied. In about 1-2 days you will start the peeling process. The down-time after treatment is usually 3-4 days of peeling. At Evolutions Medical Spa, our Alpha-Beta Peel improves the look of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, pigment problems and unclogs pores.
Obagi Blue Peel (“Deep” Peel)
If you want to dramatically improve your complexion in about 2 weeks, go for the Obagi Blue Peel (“Blue for a day!”). The blue solution allows the clinician to control the evenness of the peel; while the number of coats influences the depth of the peel. Immediately after the procedure, the bluish tint remains on your skin, which washes off in the first few hours. In about a week to ten days, your new skin will be apparent and you should be healed sufficiently to return to your normal activities. During this time, it is especially important that you use a sunblock or blotchy, irregular skin coloring may result.
What to Expect During a Peel
During a chemical peel, most patients experience a warm to hot sensation that may last about 5 to 10 minutes and may be followed by some stinging. At Evolutions we have a Synercool machine that blows cool air on your skin to ease the stinging. 3-4 layers may be applied and the solution is then neutralized. The whole process only takes about 45 minutes.
Looking Good!
The results are not permanent, as a chemical peel cannot stop the skin from continuing to age. Depending on the strength of the peel, periodic treatments may be necessary until the desired effects are achieved.
Because sun exposure accelerates signs of aging, protecting the skin from sun exposure will lengthen the amount of time that the results are seen. Protecting the skin from the sun also can prevent some signs of aging. Ask your clinician to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it every day.
One of our favorite sunblock products is TIZO3. It has an SPF of 40, is water resistant, and has a slight tint to it. The Tizo3 has a velvety, non-greasy feel and gives you a little coverage too. Also, Nia24 with 5% Pro-Niacin®, not only provides SPF30 UVA/UVB protection, but, also repairs past damage and promotes skin health.
It is very important that you find a clinician who has adequate training and experience in chemical peels. Permanent skin lightening and lines of demarcation may occur, if not done by a well trained medical aesthetician. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins, who is also the owner of the Cosmetic Surgery Center Santa Barbara, personally sets protocals, trains and supervises all procedures at Evolutions.
Planning for Your First Peel
During your initial complimentary Evolutions Consultation, it is important that you discuss your expectations with your clinician. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns that you may have. The clinician will explain the planned procedure in detail, including its risks and benefits, the recovery period and the costs.
Chemical peels are amazing by themselves, but, they also compliment other services. At Evolutions Medical Spa, you may enhance the results of a chemical peel with laser/light-based rejuvenation techniques, or combine with another procedure, such as dermal fillers (i.e., Restylane®, Radiesse®) or botulinum (Botox® or Dysport™) rejuvenation. A thorough evaluation by your clinician will help determine what best meets your needs.
At Evolutions we price chemical peels as individual treatments and as a series. We encourage you to come in for a complimentary skin rejuvenation consultation. Fill out our contact form online or call us for an appointment 805.687.0212 today! Evolutions Medical Spa is located in downtown Santa Barbara.