Glycolic Acid Peel

Chemical peels are a popular type of cosmetic treatment used to exfoliate the skin. When your skin is in serious need of some TLC, booking yourself a professional radiance peel, VI Peel®, or glycolic peel can transform your skin from dull to glowing and reduce the appearance of surface-level imperfections. Though there are different types of chemical peels for various skin types and skin issues, glycolic acid peels are always a safe bet for treating melasma, sun spots, and even acne. Give your skin the boost it deserves with the help of our Gainesville dermatologists. Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center offers an encompassing range of skin care treatments created to help you look and feel your best. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule a dermatologist appointment.

What Is A Glycolic Acid Peel?

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, extracted from various different fruits, sugar beets, and sugar cane. Glycolic is among the mildest acids used on the skin and is the go-to ingredient used by dermatologists for treating acne, scars, fine lines, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and melasma, among other skin conditions. Low concentrations of glycolic acid can be readily found in many exfoliating serums, masks, and skin care products, as well as cleansers and peels designed for at-home use. In contrast, a professional glycolic acid peel contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties with chemical strengths ranging from mild to deep. As a result, professional peels effectively treat many skin conditions and offer marked improvement to visible skin issues.

Glycolic Peel Benefits

Glycolic acid peels are the most common type of AHA peel used by dermatologists. When used correctly, they are considered to be extremely safe for most skin types and require little-to-no downtime following treatment. As with lactic acid peels, glycolic peels offer numerous alpha hydroxy acid benefits in treatment of several skin conditions, including acne, melasma, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, sun damage, acne, acne scars, and ingrown hairs. Glycolic acid is even safe to use during pregnancy and is a favorite among expecting mothers.

With a glycolic acid peel for hyperpigmentation, practitioners may combine glycolic peels with trichloroacetic acid peels, or TCA peels, to optimize the treatment's effectiveness. Patients may require several peels over weeks or months to acquire optimal results, as determined by their dermatologist. Patients may enjoy the following benefits following their glycolic acid peel. To learn more about our available skin treatments or to schedule a chemical peel, contact Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center.

• Helps reduce pore size
• Removes blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples from skin
• Removes cystic lesions and acne scars from skin
• Reduces the occurrence of ingrown hairs
• Stimulates natural collagen production
• Diminishes the appearance of dark spots
• Helps reverse hyperpigmentation, including melasma
• Treats mild-to-moderate symptoms of photoaging (sun damage)
• Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time

How Do Glycolic Acid Peels Work?

Chemical peels are used to exfoliate the skin. A glycolic acid chemical peel is a concentrated glycolic acid formulation that ranges in strength from 20—70% glycolic acid to gently exfoliate layers of the skin. Glycolic peels slough off the surface and middle layers of the skin, removing dead skin cells and other types of debris from the skin and its pores. Glycolic is made up of small molecules that readily penetrate the skin and remove the fats, or lipids, that hold together dead skin cells. The percentage or strength of glycolic acid in a peel determines how deeply it can penetrate the skin. Additionally, glycolic acid loosens and lifts excess oils from the roots of hair follicles in the skin, making it an effective treatment option for acne. Finally, glycolic acid affects the outer skin barrier, helping it retain natural moisture instead of drying out.

Glycolic Acid Peel Before And After

Professional chemical peels can transform the appearance, tone, and texture of your skin. Glycolic acid peels offer patients a healthy glow and visible improvements to fine lines, pores, acne, scarring, and other skin blemishes. Patients often report a noticeable boost in their skin's smoothness and radiance, as well as clearer and tighter skin, a lifted appearance, balanced tone, and improved firmness, among a host of other benefits. Our skin care professionals consider several different factors to determine the best glycolic acid peel strength for your treatment. These include the condition of your skin, any skin issues or conditions you may have, the sensitivity of your skin, and your goals for treatment, among other factors pertinent to each patient. Contact our office to find the ideal skin treatment for your aesthetic ideal!

How Often Can You Do A Glycolic Peel?

It's important to note that everyone's skin is different and, thus, how often one receives a glycolic peel depends on each patient's skin type and skin requirements. In general, in-office peels may be used up to once per month during initial treatment with light or mild concentrations. Following this, patients may receive peels once every 3ndash;6 months with a medium-to-deep peel, depending on their needs. Some patients prefer to receive a peel a month before a big event. During your consultation, our dermatologist in Gainesville will discuss with you your hopes for treatment and help you identify an optimal treatment plan.

What To Expect After A Glycolic Peel

Prior to the peel, your skin care specialist will provide you with aftercare guidelines for caring for your skin. Following the provided instructions is essential to reaping the full benefits of the peel and must be practiced to prevent skin damage from external factors, such as the sun. Aftercare protocols may vary to some degree for patients receiving peels with light, medium, and deep acid strengths. In general, however, for 1*ndash;2 weeks following your peel, be sure to keep your skin lubricated and moisturized using dermatologist-approved skin care products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, all of which help strengthen the skin's barrier. Patients should avoid products that dry the skin as well as all exfoliating products. Patients should likewise be wary of the sun, as glycolic acid can increase your skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Avoid direct sun exposure and apply a lightweight and nonirritating mineral-based sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of at least 35 daily (reapplying it, as needed, throughout the day). Wash your skin with cool, rather than warm or hot, water, and avoid the use of cosmetics.

Glycolic Acid Side Effects

Glycolic acid peels are considered safe for most people. However, a small portion of patients may experience the following potential side effects after treatments with glycolic acid in high strengths. Rare side effects include blisters, scarring, and permanent lightening of skin (hypopigmentation).