Chemical Peels in Boca Raton, FL

What’s the Difference Between Retail and Medical Chemical Peels?

So-called “lunchtime” peels are mild, providing only light exfoliation on the outer layer of the skin. When skin deterioration and discoloration is also mild, this may be sufficient. These have little downtime if any at all, and there’s little risk associated with use. However, the intensity of the peel effect is also limited.

Stronger peels use more powerful acids. Medium-level peels penetrate both the outer and middle layers of the skin. These target fine lines, wrinkles, and discolorations such as age spots, freckles, and other uneven skin tones. This level of peel causes the skin to shed via peeling, sort of a chemical “sunburn” but without the harmful effects of ultraviolet light from the sun. New skin grows in smoother and with fewer wrinkles than before. Deep peels are more aggressive still, affecting darker spots and deeper scarring.

What Chemical Peels Does The Herschthal Practice Offer?

There is a wide selection of chemical peels on the market, with each formulated slightly differently in order to cater to patients’ various cosmetic needs. In order to determine what chemical peel is best suited for your unique aesthetic  goals, schedule a consultation with your dermatologist. The Herschthal Practice offers a collection of chemical peels that we believe are effective and offer our patients the best possible results. These peels include:

TCA (trichloracetic acid) Peels – The chemical used in TCA peels is similar to vinegar on a molecular level, but is much stronger than the common household ingredient. Used to treat acne, fine lines, and skin discoloration like brown spots and age spots.

Salicylic Acid Peels – More gentle than many other kinds of peels, salicylic acid peels target and exfoliate deeper levels of the skin. They are effective in treating acne, fine lines, uneven skin coloration, and the results of sun damage.

Combination Peels – These peels use different combinations of acids to target more specific cosmetic needs.

SkinMedica® Peels – The Herschthal Practice offers two different peels offered by SkinMedica®: Vitalize® and Rejuvenize™. The Vitalize® peel uses salicylic acid and lactic acid to decrease the appearance of fine lines and increase the consistency of skin texture. The Rejuvenize™ peel uses a combination of four different acids, as well as Quillaja Saponaria bark extract, to target more advanced fine lines, acne scarring, and inconsistent skin texture.

VI Peels®– The Vi Peel® is a medical-grade, medium-depth peel that addresses hyperpigmentation, acne, wrinkles, and general tone of the skin. It is known for being painless while evening out skin tone and reducing the appearance of age-related wrinkles and blemishes. We also offer the Vi Peel® with Precision Plus—which is a booster that can enhance the strength of the regular Vi Peel® treatment and is the peel of choice for melasma and hyperpigmentation in general.

Our chemical peels are often done in combination with dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and HydraFacial®. Dermaplaning will cleanse the top layer of skin and remove peach fuzz, allowing the chemical peel to evenly disperse across the skin. Microdermabrasion and HydraFacial® procedures can also be done before chemical peel treatment to provide a clean, healthy canvas for the peel. Doing these treatments on the same day can maximize the results of both procedures. For patients who are considering these joint treatments, we often recommend lactic acid peels. Lactic acid peels are gentler than most of the other chemical peels while still providing visible improvements to pore size and overall skin texture.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Chemical Peels?

Skin color has much to do with successful results. Fair-skinned patients, who may be more susceptible to sun damage naturally, make the best candidates for peels. Peels do work on medium and dark skin, as long as the correct amount of passes for the correct acid is chosen.

Sagging skin, with bulges and deep wrinkles, does not respond well to peels. There are, however, many other options that effectively address these problems. Both microdermabrasion and HydraFacial® procedures can produce similar results to chemical peels. In fact, both of these treatments are often done in combination with chemical peels to maximize results. Laser treatments are also a viable alternative, since the intensity can be adjusted to a light setting to mimic the rejuvenation effects of a peel. These treatments often provide more dramatic results than most chemical peels do.

Do Chemical Peels Hurt? Are There Side Effects?

There is a stinging sensation associated with any chemical peel. The more aggressive formulas will likely cause more of a sting. Redness, irritation, and crusting naturally occur with stronger peels, but this is normal. Your dermatologist discusses follow-up care as part of your treatment. Creams and gels help the patient through the recovery stages.

Unexpected changes in skin color can occur, either temporarily or permanently. Women with a history of facial discoloration, those on birth control pills, or those who subsequently get pregnant have an increased risk of skin color change.

How Much Do Chemical Peels in Boca Raton, FL Cost?

The cost of your chemical peel treatment will depend on a few factors, including which area(s) are treated, the number of sessions needed to achieve the desired results, and the type of peel used. During your consultation at The Herschthal Practice, Dr. David Herschthal or Dr. Jordana Herschthal will assess your cosmetic goals in order to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs. At this point, we will be able to provide you with the exact cost of treatment. To help keep our treatments both affordable and accessible, we accept all major credit cards as well as financing through CareCredit®

Cosmetic Dermatology and Chemical Peels in Boca Raton, FL