Here’s How a Chemical Peel Can Fight Wrinkles

If you want to rid your face of wrinkles but don’t know which cosmetic treatment to try, consider a chemical peel. The name may sound daunting, but the experience is painless, and the results are stunning. Here’s how it works.

You have many options for erasing your facial wrinkles, but that doesn’t mean they’re all right for you. Your skin may respond better to one treatment, while your friend’s face may favor another.

Because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to skin care, our providers at Shira Laser in Brooklyn, New York City, offer a comprehensive lineup of cosmetic treatments that incorporate the latest technology and most advanced techniques. Our highly trained, extensively experienced aesthetic specialists analyze your skin, listen to your goals, and match you with the perfect treatment or combination of treatments to achieve them.

The time-honored chemical peel is one of our most effective approaches to aging skin. This multi-tasking wonder addresses a long list of skin complaints, including:

Acne and acne scarring
Blotchy skin
Age spots
Freckles
Dry, dull texture

While most people know that chemical peels tackle these common skin problems and reveal a brighter skin tone, many don’t realize that chemical peels can also diminish wrinkles. Here, we explain why wrinkles happen and how chemical peels can whisk them away.

Why you have wrinkles

Before discussing the science behind chemical peels, you have to understand the enemy you’re fighting – wrinkles. As your skin ages, it loses its elasticity and becomes thinner due to several factors.

Internal factors

Internally, your body produces less collagen and elastin, which are the proteins that give your skin firmness and elasticity. As these proteins diminish, your skin loses its ability to bounce back, leading to sagging and fine lines and wrinkles.

Simultaneously, the natural life cycle of your skin cells slows down, causing the outer layer of skin to appear dull, dry, and wrinkled. Also, your skin's ability to retain moisture decreases, further contributing to wrinkle formation.

External factors

Externally, environmental conditions factor in, too. Extended exposure to sunlight, for instance, speeds up the aging process, leading to what is known as photoaging. UV light, especially UVA rays, penetrates deep into your skin’s layers, damaging the collagen fibers.

This damage causes increased production of abnormal elastin. When your body tries to rebuild damaged collagen and elastin fibers, it often fails, leading to wrinkles.

Lifestyle factors

In addition to sun exposure, lifestyle factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition can accelerate aging. For example, smoking reduces the blood supply to your skin, depriving it of oxygen and essential nutrients. It also damages collagen and elastin, leading to premature wrinkles.

How chemical peels work against wrinkles

Chemical peels cause your skin to sluff off its outer layers (exfoliation), revealing a new, smoother layer of skin beneath that's less wrinkled than the old skin. Essentially, they peel away the layers of skin that contain the wrinkles. They also promote skin regeneration, so they improve your overall skin texture.

Chemical peels come in many different formulas, each addressing different needs and goals. Our Shira Laser team uses medical-grade PCA Skin® products, known for their high quality, safety, and consistent results.

Types of chemical peels

There are three main types of chemical peels: superficial, medium, and deep.

Superficial peels

Superficial peels, also called “lunchtime” peels, use mild acids, such as alpha-hydroxy acid, to penetrate only the outer layer of your skin to exfoliate it gently. They’re best for fine lines and wrinkles, minor skin discolorations, and rough skin.

Medium peels

The next level of peels uses trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to reach your skin's middle and outer layers to lift away deeper wrinkles, skin discoloration, and precancerous growths.

Deep peels

The most potent peels use phenol to deeply penetrate the middle layer of your skin and remove damaged skin cells. They treat severe wrinkles, scars, and precancerous growths.

Superficial and medium peels aren’t painful, but you might feel tingling or warmth during your treatment. We use a cooling device to keep you comfortable throughout your 10-20-minute session. Deep peels are more uncomfortable and require a local anesthetic.

To schedule a chemical peel appointment or to learn more about your treatment options, call 718-473-0285 or request a free consultation online with Shira Laser today.