Spring is a time of new beginnings. You can finally put away the heavier layers and enjoy bright sunshine and blue skies once again. However, it’s also when seasonal allergies tend to wreak havoc on our skin while the extra sweat and humidity lead to acne breakouts and eczema flare-ups. Making a few changes to your standard skincare routine will help you get a radiant, beautiful complexion you’ll be confident about. Sloughing away flaky, dry skin is a great idea as the warmer months arrive. Triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Stanley Jacobs offers chemical peels at our San Francisco or Healdsburg offices for the most subtle, natural-looking skin rejuvenation with minimal recovery time.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
The basic science behind the application of chemical peels is stimulating the growth of new skin cells and elastin and collagen production in the epidermal layer of skin. This is achieved by placing a chemical solution on the skin surface, which triggers this cellular activity.
What Can Chemical Peels Treat?
Chemical peels have the therapeutic effect of safely shedding damaged, dry, or dead skin from the outer surface of the face, neck, or hands within just a few days. Depending on the peel type, they can range from gentle exfoliation to significant skin regeneration. This makes them beneficial for improving a variety of skin concerns such as acne, sun damage, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (such as brown patches), minor scars, enlarged pores, dullness, and textural issues.
What Types of Chemical Peels Are There?
There are several different types of peels available. Chemical peeling can be categorized as superficial, medium, or deep based on how it penetrates the skin. The trichloroacetic (TCA) peel is the most popular peel we offer. It is made up of a non-toxic chemical that Dr. Jacobs has used for 30 years. The intensity of each of our treatments and the type of peeling agent used are fully customized for the individual depending on their unique skin characteristics. Even the specific areas of the face, neck, and décolleté are individualized.
At first, the dead layer of skin peels off and a beautiful, glowing new skin is revealed within 10 to 14 days. The biological power is in the second phase: the synthesis of collagen and elastin for up to five months. This means, for example, a 30 percent TCA peel (the most popular variety) will allow great results for three to five years!
Through years of careful study and application, Dr. Jacobs developed a synergistic approach to peels and facelifts, known as the SynergyLift™. He found that combining TCA peels with surgical lifting produced results not possible from either technique alone. The results are so impressive and consistent, he recommends the approach to roughly two thirds of the facial rejuvenation patients he sees. In fact, he has used a skin elasticity measuring device called a Cutometer, to prove that a SynergyLift™ will improve facial skin elasticity from 50 to70 percent.
Dr. Jacobs and the Jacobs Center for Cosmetic Surgery team can help patients with all skin types and concerns find the best solution for a healthy, clear complexion. For additional tips about chemical peel treatments and other forms of skin rejuvenation, don’t hesitate to call us at 415.433.0303 (San Francisco) or 707.473.0220 (Healdsburg), or submit a contact form online.