Your skin is a vital barrier that shields your body from the elements and performs numerous essential tasks. It also plays a major role in your outward appearance. Whether you’re meeting a first date, a potential employer or a new acquaintance, how your skin looks is a big part of the lasting impression you’ll leave. Unfortunately, many of us do not feel confident about our skin due to wrinkles, pigmentation, acne and other imperfections.
Chemical peels are an effective way to banish these blemishes for a long while. Today’s chemical peels are safer and more powerful than they’ve been in the past, making them popular with patients seeking a nonsurgical remedy for younger, healthier and more beautiful skin. Dr. Carin Gribetz is an accomplished dermatologist in New York City who offers a full range of chemical peels, each geared to treat a specific skin type or condition. Contact our office at 212-289-3300 to request a consultation and reveal your complexion’s full potential.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment that utilizes a specialized acid solution to remove the damaged outer layers of skin. While they are frequently performed on the face, peels can be used on nearly any area of the body where the skin has endured the effects of time or environmental factors. Chemical peels are available in a range of strengths and formulations. This allows Dr. Gribetz to customize each treatment to her patients’ specific needs and skin type, ensuring it is safe, effective and targeted.
What Are the Benefits of Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels can be used to improve specific skin concerns as well as provide overall rejuvenation. A New York chemical peel with Dr. Gribetz can:
- Soften fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve skin texture and tone
- Brighten dull, lifeless skin
- Reduce acne breakouts and oil production
- Minimize pore size
- Improve the appearance of mild scarring
- Lighten age spots and other areas of dark pigmentation
- Remove dead skin cells and debris from the skin surface
- Improve the appearance of melasma
- Soften and hydrate the skin
- Stimulate collagen and elastin production
- Treat some precancerous skin lesions
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Chemical Peels?
The ideal candidate for a chemical peel has one or more of the concerns above and is interested in a nonsurgical solution. Because so many options are available, peels can be customized for nearly any skin type and tone. Keep in mind that a chemical peel will not be sufficient for treating deeply ingrained wrinkles or scars and that they cannot tighten loose, sagging skin. Chemical peels also may not be suitable for individuals with very sensitive skin or a chronic condition such as psoriasis or eczema. Dr. Gribetz will evaluate your skin to determine if a chemical peel is appropriate for you and which formula will achieve your goals.
What Types of Chemical Peels Are Available?
Chemical peels are typically categorized as superficial, medium or deep depending on their active ingredients and depth of penetration.
Superficial peels are the gentlest. They lightly and comfortably refresh the skin with ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid or lactic acid. Because they remove only the outermost layer of skin, they involve minimal downtime and are most effective for people with mild signs of aging or environmental damage. Undergoing multiple superficial peels in a series can deliver significant improvements.
Medium peels penetrate deeper into the skin with ingredients like trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This allows them to treat moderate wrinkles, pigmentation, scars and sun damage. Discomfort during and after the procedure is greater than a superficial peel and recovery time is longer, but the benefits are more substantial. You may choose to undergo more than one medium peel to achieve the best possible results.
The most aggressive chemical peels use phenol. These deep peels are not right for everyone, but for suitable candidates, they can repair skin that has been severely sun damaged and eliminate deep wrinkles and scars. Recovery can involve a significant amount of peeling, discomfort and social downtime, but the results are dramatic. Only one treatment is needed to produce a beautifully refreshed complexion that lasts for years.
What’s Involved in a Chemical Peel Procedure?
Chemical peels are performed in our Manhattan office. First, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed to remove dirt and oil and allow the solution to penetrate more evenly. A numbing cream will be used if it is necessary due to the strength of the peel. The peeling solution will then be applied to your skin and left on for a prescribed amount of time. You may feel a warm, tingly or stinging sensation on your face as the peel takes effect. When the treatment is complete, a neutralizing agent may be used, and the peel will be removed from your skin.
What Should I Expect After My Chemical Peel?
Most peels result in some level of redness, swelling and irritation. The extent of these effects, and the downtime required, depends on the depth of the peel. A superficial peel may be so gentle that there is no downtime or heavy peeling. Other light peels result in mild peeling for three to five days following treatment. A medium depth peel can produce peeling that lasts for seven to 10 days. Dr. Gribetz will provide you with instructions on how to care for your skin based on the type of peel you receive. For all chemical peels, it is essential to protect your vulnerable, healing skin from the sun after treatment.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
Chemical peels make it possible to literally “peel off” signs of aging and environmental damage from your face. You will begin to see the results of your treatment once the peeling is finished, followed by continued improvements over the coming weeks as your skin betters itself from the inside out. Once the healing is complete, you’ll be left with new, healthy cells and a smoother, brighter complexion. Your skin will look more youthful and radiant with reduced signs of aging and blemishes like dark spots, acne or scarring.
How Long Do Results Last?
Chemical peels offer temporary but visible and gratifying improvement in overall skin quality. Lighter peels reveal subtle benefits that evolve over time and must be maintained more frequently, while deeper peels produce more striking results with greater longevity. The strongest peels may only require one treatment. Follow a skin care regimen and practice diligent sun protection to extend the life of your results for as long as possible. Dr. Gribetz will help you establish a treatment schedule that creates visibly better skin year-round.
Get Refreshed, Youthful Skin With Dr. Carin Gribetz
Improving your skin has never been safer, easier or more personal. Utilizing the latest technology and techniques, Dr. Gribetz offers every patient a customized skin care plan based around their aesthetic goals, concerns, availability and budget. This level of personalization and attention to detail is what defines us as a top dermatology practice in Manhattan.
If you are searching for a treatment to dramatically enhance the texture, tone and overall appearance of your complexion, a chemical peel may be right for you. Call the office of Dr. Carin Gribetz today at 212-289-3300 to schedule an appointment and discover the transformative results delivered by our specialty skin treatments.