Common skin conditions like scars, lines, wrinkles and discoloration can have a negative effect on your self-confidence and self-esteem. These difficult skin problems can be minimized using various cosmetic procedures, but which one is right for you?

If you need skin rejuvenation, a chemical peel may benefit you. First, you need to understand that there are different types of peels available, depending upon your needs and the severity of your skin condition.

Chemical peels are classified by their depth. A chemical peel is defined as a percentage or concentration of the active ingredient in a given peel. Generally speaking, the stronger peels penetrate more deeply, contain higher concentrations and/or are left on the skin longer.

A light chemical peel is the mildest form of peel available and is useful for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, age spots and flaking skin. With the lighter peels, most patients only notice a slight stinging or tingling sensation. This type of peel involves little to no downtime because it does not affect deeper layers of the skin.

If you require treatment for advanced sun damage, wrinkles or problem pigmentation, you may need a stronger peel. These peels usually contain TCA and more deeply penetrate the skin. They do require a longer recovery period; however, the results are meant to be more dramatic.

One of the great things about light and medium chemical peels is that they can usually be repeated at our office at regular intervals. The amount of time that goes by in between peel treatments will vary depending on the situation, as well as the wants and needs of the individual.

When most people think about chemical peel treatments, they tend to think about the face. While chemical peels are commonly used on the face, they can also be applied to the chest, back, legs and arms. A lot of people only focus on rejuvenating their face, but it is also important to keep the skin in these areas looking healthy as well.

At Rao Dermatology, we are proud to offer a variety of peel treatments, including the Jessner peel, the Glycolic peel and the TCA peel. To learn more about which peel can rejuvenate your skin, make an appointment at our office in Atlantic Highlands, Woodbridge, Hanford, Fresno or Manhattan. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for a chemical peel.