While our bodies naturally heal damage to our skin cells and tissue, healing acne scars can sometimes require professional help. If you’re looking to rejuvenate your skin cells and diminish the look of acne scars, here’s why you should schedule a chemical peel in Brampton.
Understanding Acne Scars
When acne forms, it causes damage to the skin’s tissue and can create a loss of collagen. This lack of collagen can result in the formation of scars. Additionally, picking at acne or not properly treating blemishes can also contribute to the development of scars.
Oftentimes, with deep damage to the skin, our bodies lack the regenerative tissue needed to heal the damage and, instead, our skin will begin to heal itself below the top layer of skin. This results in pitted or indented scars, known as atrophic scars.
There are three types of atrophic scars: icepick, rolling, and boxcar. Ice-pick scars resemble a puncture to the skin surface and can be mistaken for enlarged pores if located deep within the skin surface. Rolling scars are shallower to the surface with a sea wave-like appearance. Boxcar scars have a distinctive feature of being an oval indentation similar to scarring that occurs from the chicken pox.
What Are Chemical Peels?
A chemical peel treatment is a low trauma exfoliating skin remedy for skin with poor elasticity, uneven tone, and rough surface. It’s also used for areas that show significant signs of aging and/or acne scarring. This form of skincare therapy is available in various levels depending on the severity of the acne scarring and the overall health of the skin cells.
The Science Behind Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Chemical peels for acne scars use a solution consisting of glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid. These are used to lower the cells’ pH level to loosen dead skin cells during the exfoliation process.
The skin cells within the middle layer, known as the dermis layer, are stimulated to produce collagen and elastin. The rejuvenation of new skin cells improves the skin’s tone and texture, while diminishing the appearance of scarring.
Types of Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Chemical peels are offered in three different classes: light, medium, and deep.
Light (superficial) peels focus on the epidermis wherein the outermost layer of the skin is removed with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid. This type of peel targets mild scarring.
A medium peel uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or a blend of TCA and glycolic acid to target the epidermis and the top layer of the dermis layer. Used for moderate acne scars, this type of chemical peel deeply penetrates the skin surface.
For scarring within the dermis layer, a deep peel is used with hyaluronic acid which is a more potent chemical. Severe scarring in the middle layer of the skin tissue can be treated with specialized pre- and post-treatment care.
Efficacy and Results
Chemical peels have been clinically proven to help diminish the appearance of acne scars while improving the health of the skin cells. The level of success depends on the severity of the scars and the number of treatment sessions undertaken.
Recovery and Aftercare
There is no recovery period for light chemical peels, while medium and deep chemical peels may require 14-21 days of recovery after treatment. It should be noted that any skin peeling should be left to shed naturally to prevent damage to the recovering skin surface.
Aftercare involves using only gentle cleansers and cool water for the first several days. Avoid hot water, heat, and steam to the face from baths, showers, saunas, and sweat from strenuous exercise for the first two days after treatment. Avoid makeup and swimming during this time, as well.
Sun exposure and use of tanning booths should also be avoided for the first week. Always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ to protect the skin at all times.
Consult Heart Lake Aesthetics for Your Acne Scar Solution
Choose Heart Lake Aesthetics for safe and effective acne scar treatment in Brampton. Our skincare specialists use various non-invasive treatments and therapies to protect the health of your skin while enhancing your natural beauty.
As one of our most popular, scientifically proven medical cosmetic treatments, chemical peels are used to combat acne scars and rejuvenate skin cells. Contact us today to schedule a personalized consultation with our team of skincare experts.
