Chemical Peels: Tried and True
Microneedling, fractional lasers, photo therapy, ultrasound, radiofrequency (RF) devices—it’s enough to make your head spin! If you’re considering skin treatment in New York for your summer-weary face, trying to figure out the pros and cons of all the “latest technology” in the marketplace can be very confusing.
Let us make a simple suggestion: why not try a chemical peel? While the trendy options can be tempting, especially when promoted by endless media noise, good old chemical peels still have distinct advantages.
A Lot to Like
First and foremost, they’re effective. Chemical peels remove the top few layers of dry, dead cells, revealing youthful, glowing skin underneath. Fine lines are smoothed and pigmentation becomes evener. Treatment can be repeated in several months. Some of our New York chemical peel patients come in regularly—before the holidays, after months of dry, windy winter weather or at the end of a long, hot summer. The climate in the Big Apple can take its toll on skin, and chemical peels make sense for many people looking to refresh their appearance.
In contrast, some patients are pleased with the results of newer rejuvenation choices and their overall experience, some are not. If you read online reviews of Fraxel laser treatment, for instance, you’ll find less than about three-quarters of patients are satisfied. And some of the unhappy patients are very unhappy, logging comments such as “worst experience ever” and “ruined my face.” Even more often disappointing is one RF option called Thermage—about half the reviewers on one website say their treatment did not live up to the hefty price tag.
This leads us to another clear advantage of chemical peels: they can be a lot less pricey than the “latest and greatest” laser, ultrasound or other option using expensive equipment. Doctors who lease or purchase skin rejuvenation technology must pass part of the cost along to their patients. This may mean an expensive session (or sessions) with unpredictable results.
Saving money by electing a chemical peel can mean you might choose other complementary treatments to rejuvenate your appearance without breaking the bank. For example, gentle dermabrasion can target the delicate skin above your upper lip to smooth out “smoker’s lines.” Some of our New York chemical peel patients add an injectable filler such as Juvederm to plump up tissues under nasolabial folds commonly called “parentheses” around the mouth. Another popular choice is Botox for forehead lines or the dynamic wrinkles between the brows known as “the elevens.” These and other rejuvenation options can be natural partners for a chemical peel. With each treatment aimed at the right target, the outcome can be very satisfying rejuvenation results at a fair price and with little discomfort and downtime.
A Couple of Caveats
As you age, it’s natural to step up efforts to turn back the clock. When you consider investing in treatment by a professional, make sure you are already taking two steps to care for your skin at home. One is to use the best skincare ingredient available: Retin A. The other, of course, is to use sunscreen every time you step outside.
Chemical peels are best for people who are bothered by the look of their skin, meaning the surface tissues. If what you’re hoping for involves significant lifting, it’s not likely that a chemical peel will bring about enough change for you. Take a look at your face objectively. If your wrinkles are deep, if your lower face has a jowly look, if there’s just too much saggy skin—these are problems a chemical peel can’t address.
This brings us to another important point. These days, when new equipment and treatment options seem to pop up frequently, it’s very difficult for a prospective patient to know which one might work best. That’s why we suggest a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of rejuvenation experience and lots of tools at hand.
If you come to see us for skin rejuvenation in New York, you’ll find that our board-certified plastic surgeon will work with you himself. He’s an expert at determining which techniques are best for each individual their skin issues. Furthermore, if you have a treatment in mind that may not yield the best results, he’ll tell you.
Why not give us a call at 212-570-6080 to find out more? Brighter skin awaits!
