Chemical peels were once only found at medispas and luxury wellness centers, a specialty treatment for those willing to spend time and money on site for a complete skin rejuvenating treatment. By stimulating new cell growth, the chemical peel can give your skin that youthful glow and enhance its appearance.

Chemical peel treatments are ideal for mature and aging skin, and services are even available at the local day spa; innovative products make the chemical peel process simple and effective after just a few treatments.   

But how do chemical peels and skincare treatments really work?  What are the benefits and drawbacks of chemical peels for aging skin?  

How Chemical Peels Work

Chemical peels help to improve the appearance of aging and dull skin by promoting healthy skin growth. The procedure essentially ‘injures’ the top layer of the skin with acid, stimulating the cells beneath the skin’s surface which results in rapid skin cell growth. This rapid turnover helps to ‘flush’ away old skin cells, toxins, and bacteria embedded in the skin’s surface, leaving you with a fresh and youthful looking complexion. Despite the initial burning sensation, chemical peels are relatively painless and help to jumpstart the natural process of cell turnover.  

Key Benefits of Chemical Peels for Aging Skin

Chemical peels help your body produce more collagen, the secret to a youthful and glowing complexion. Since replacing lost collagen is essential for aging skin, a regular chemical peel can help keep your skin fresh and stimulate new skin cell growth on a regular basis. Other benefits of chemical peels include:  

• Reduction of wrinkles
• Reduction of age spots and traces of sun damage
• A healthy glow
• A smoother skin surface
• Stronger and more resilient skin

Chemical Peels for Aging Skin – Why It Works

Skin cells start to turn over at a slower rate after the age of twenty, but some of the most dramatic shifts take place in your thirties and forties. After forty, you can expect reduced collagen production, fewer new skin cells every week, and an increased risk of age spots and fine lines that quickly add years to your appearance. Even the healthiest diet and lifestyle habits won’t stop the clock; fortunately, there are many ways to preserve those youthful looks.

Chemical peels are still one of the most effective skincare treatments that offer many benefits for mature and aging skin. Ongoing facial treatments and a lifetime skincare plan can reduce the impact of sun damage, weather changes, and a slow metabolism to stimulate healthy cell production instead. While aging and mature skin can benefit greatly from chemical peels, there are still a few drawbacks of this powerful procedure.  

Drawbacks of Chemical Peels for Aging Skin  

Since chemical peel treatments can be so strong, a professional doctor or skincare specialist must determine the strength of the formula most appropriate for your fragile skin. Chemical peels do offer many benefits for mature and aging skin, but also present some drawbacks such as:          

• A ‘burning’ sensation     
• Extreme skin irritation and inflammation
• Burn scars that do not heal quickly
• Excessively dry skin that peels too often  

Despite the drawbacks of chemical peels, preventing complications is possible – especially when you’re working with the right doctor or skincare specialist.  

Finding the Right Doctor for Chemical Peels and Facial Rejuvenation  

One of the biggest challenges of pursuing facial rejuvenation treatments is finding the right doctor to manage your procedure. As more chemical peel treatments reach the market, it’s hard to determine if the medical spa in your area can really deliver the results you need. Are the products administered by a certified aesthetician or just a spa employee? Can they provide proof of licensing? Since chemical peels are so strong, it’s even more important to work with someone who can guide you through the process and help with any complications that may arise.  

Learning about the doctor’s experience, reviewing before and after galleries for chemical peels, and making an appointment for a skin consultation are the best ways to find the right match for your unique skin condition.