Is a chemical peel an effective treatment for blotchy skin?

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Patients in the New Orleans community who are seeking treatment for blotchy and uneven skin tone issues are often excited to learn about affordable solutions such as the traditional chemical peel. A chemical peel can be an ideal opportunity for patients with many different complexion concerns to address the upper layer of skin and improve it efficiently.

Chemical peels are special “masks” that are applied to cleansed skin, and removed at a precise time for best results. They are made with a combination of ingredients. The formulation chosen for the chemical peel will vary depending on the condition the patient seeks to treat. Patients who have acne may want a chemical peel that incorporates salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Some ingredients chosen by the Board-certified dermatologist may include those that are best for exfoliation. Drs. Mary Lupo works closely with the patient during an initial consultation appointment, to lean about the individual’s concerns and to determine the most appropriate chemical peel treatment.

Not only can poor skin tone and texture be addressed, but also issues such as:

• Hyper- or hypo-pigmentation
• Freckles
• Age spots
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne
• Sun damaged skin
• Scars

Chemical peels are a straightforward and relatively quick treatment. Patients relax in the chair while the area of the skin being addressed is thoroughly cleansed. Then, the mixture of ingredients is applied to the skin in a thin layer. The doctor leaves the chemicals on the skin for a short period of time—typically around one minute or less. Then, the chemicals are removed from the skin and it is cleansed a second time.

The after-effects of a chemical peel will vary depending on the formulation used. Some chemical peels are less invasive than others. More aggressive peels may require the patient to take a few days of downtime, as skin peels and rejuvenates. Others that are milder may just cause some slight redness but can be easily covered with cosmetics if needed, to get through social activities. The more aggressive the chemical peel, the faster and more effective the results. However, patients may choose multiple superficial chemical peels for similar effects.