Chemical Peels

Resurfacing of the skin has been likened more an art than a science. It requires a profound understanding of the anatomy and the physiology of the skin.

The skin is the largest organ in our body and sheds and regenerates itself almost on a daily basis. It is principally divided into two layers; the epidermis, or outer layer, and the dermis, or inner layer. Skin resurfacing re-contours the outer and inner layers of the skin.

Why does my skin age?

As we age, we begin to lose elasticity in the deeper layers of our skin and this becomes manifested as wrinkles. One of the principal parts of the skin is collagen, which creates a support scaffold for the dermis (the deeper layer). As we age, this collagen begins to fray and loosen not only its attachments to nearby collagen fibrils, but it also dries up. This causes the skin to become less elastic and with less turgor (tightness).

Any resurfacing procedure, whether it be mechanical dermabrasion (microdermabrasion) or chemical dermabrasion (chemical peels) will serve to tighten that collagen layer bringing more character and strength to the skin.

What is a Resurfacing Procedure?

Resurfacing procedures are divided into light, or superficial , medium, and deeper treatments.
Depending on the severity of your skin condition, our licensed aesthetician will discuss the best options for your skin type and offer one of these treatments if need be.

Light (Superficial) Peels

Light Peels may also be referred to as superficial chemical peels, these two terms represent the same depth of the peel. A light peel is an accelerated form of exfoliation induced by a chemical agent. Our professionals will apply a light peel to your skin in order to exfoliate, stimulate epidermal growth, and destroy the damaged layers on the surface of the skin. This in turn will replace the damaged skin with new skin cells and help to stimulate the production of more collagen, allowing for tighter, brighter skin.

As an antioxidant, light peels may also reduce acne breakouts and even acne scarring. In order to do a light peel you must prep the skin with professional strength products in order to prevent post treatment hyper-pigmentation (dark discoloration of the skin).

What if I use Retin-A?

Patients who use Retin-A or Accutane are required to stop using these products at least 3 days prior to the peel in order to provide the skin with the best result. You may then start using the Retin-A or Accutane 3 days after your light peel.

Light peels will provide great results to those with dull, uneven skin tones and can be done with no down time.
Light peels produce best results when done as a series of 3 or more treatments.

A light (superficial) peel is applied to the skin and penetrates into the outer-most layer of the skin giving a shiny glow to the skin.

Medium Depth Peels

Medium peels are indicated in patients that have the brown discolorations to the skin called age or liver spots.  Living in sunny climates, the skin has the propensity to develop “freckles” or spots that are due to over-production of melanin.  When a medium peel is applied to the skin, the peel agent penetrates into the upper part of the dermis and causes not only the elimination of those brown spots, but tightening of collagen resulting in the improvement of the mottled skin and the fine lines.

What Can I expect?

On the day of your peel, you will have photos taken and Dr. Garcia will sit with you and discuss with you what to expect and walk you through the entire process.
Because this is PAINLESS, you can drive yourself to and from the office!

Medium Depth Peels will penetrate into the upper layer of the dermis thereby tightening the skin and removing the discolorations.

Dr. Garcia will start by cleaning your face and washing any impurities from the skin.  He then will start applying the peeling agent gently throughout the face.  You may experience a little burning, but a fan is used to blow fresh cool air.  99% patients report that the discomfort lasts no longer than a few seconds.  When completed, you can go home.  You will be given detailed instructions as to how to care for the peeled area.  Most patients will go back to work the next day.

Dr. Garcia will have you come in several times the first week and personally wash your face to assure that all is healing properly.  By 3 days, the skin is beginning to peel and by day 7, 90% of the face is healed and you can see your new baby skin!

Deep Peels

You will find from the post-operative instructions, the care of your peeled areas requires a keen eye with attention to detail.  The most important part, however, comes from you in your strict adherence to our instructions. On average, one can expect the pink to persist for two to three weeks, which means that you will have to be very vigilant about your skin care for that time period.

Deep Peels will penetrate into the deepest part of the dermis rearranging collagen, melanocytes, and other support structures of the skin.

With a deep peel, you may not have any discomfort, but you may have swelling. Swelling, as you know, is a normal process that tissues have in response to injury. You can expect the thinner skin of the face to swell faster and for longer. This means that your eyes and your lips may stay swollen for up to five to seven days after treatment.

We strongly recommend that you stay close by to Jacksonville and not travel or leave town within the first two weeks. For best results, we encourage you to allow us to see you as often as possible.

Can Peels only be used for the face?

Our licensed aestheticians can show you the benefits of having chemical peels applied not only to the face, but to the hands, chest, and the decolleté.  The peel is easily administered and you can expect to see the results within one week.  Generally speaking, you will see near total elimination of the brown spots with 2-3 treatments.  Sunscreen is highly recommended after your treatments in order to prevent the re-emergence of the spots.

Myths about Peels

As with all facial treatments, there are myths behind results and side effects of peels.  Our professional and licensed staff is here to debunk these myths for you.

Myth 1: I will not be able to get any sun after my peel. 

This is UNTRUE. Once you have regenerated your new layer of skin, then you can re-expose the skin to sun. Depending on the depth of the peel, you will need to stay out of the sun for longer periods of time. Keep in mind, that many times it was UNPROTECTED sun exposure that caused your skin to show the premature signs of aging. If you want to prolong the effects of the peel, then simply apply a sunblock with a minimum SPF-30 protection.

Myth 2: I will have permanent color changes like white spots or dark spots.

This is UNTRUE. The most common condition to occur is to have the darker spots, which generally may occur in darker skinned patients. This overactivity of melanin is temporary and should it occur, it is due to the peeling agent being applied too shallow. Should this happen, a lightening cream can be applied over the darker area to correct the discoloration. Conversely, the lighter discolorations is a very rare complication (never seen in this practice) that occurs due to the peeling agent having been applied too deep. Again, both of these are exceedingly rare and should not be a deterrent to you having a peel.
If you are not a candidate for a peel for reasons of skin color, then you can be introduced to the Belladerm-RX ™ skin care system, a revolutionary skin care line aimed at reducing the mottled skin, fine lines, and the pigmentary problems of the skin. Please Read more about Belladerm-RX ™ in the “Products” section.

Myth 3: My skin will look ‘raw’ from the peel.

This is UNTRUE. The light peel simply makes your skin look a little pink, with resolution within 24 hours. This peel is again intended to remove the outer most layer of the skin called the stratum corneum. This will “buff” the skin. You could go out to dinner the same day. In fact, most people have this done as a lunchtime procedure.
The medium peels will have your skin looking pink for 5-7 days, but NEVER red. As stated above, you could return to work the next day.
Deep peels, while the most involved, still DO NOT cause your skin to be nothing more than pink. This will persist for 10-14 days.

Call today to schedule your consultation to see if a chemical peel is right for you.