If you have sun damaged skin, age spots or patches of pigmented skin, you may be a good candidate for a chemical peel treatment.
Chemical peels are designed to exfoliate the skin at a deeper level than the average facial, and can help to treat a number of aesthetic skin problems including hyperpigmentation, freckles and fine lines. The Jessner Peel is a light to medium peel designed to lighten hyperpigmentation and even the skin tone.
About the Jessner Peel
The Jessner peel is a combination of lactic acid, salicylic acid and resorcinol, a set of acids that penetrate deep into the outer layers of the skin cells to stimulate the natural exfoliation process. About three to four days after the peel, the skin begins to flake away, revealing a healthier layer of skin underneath. The
peel can be performed on people who have mild to severe acne, or those who have skin that has undergone extensive sun damage. This type of peel is especially beneficial for people who have very oily or thick skin, and those who have mild to moderate acne.
How the Jessner Peel is Performed
The Jessner Peel can be performed on almost all skin types, but the skin has to be prepared for the treatment with a special solution. Most people need to apply Retin-A (tretinoin) to the skin each night for about two to three weeks before the treatments so that the skin is ready to peel. The solution is applied using a piece of gauze over the face and neck area, and must be left on the skin for about 10 minutes before it is washed off with cool water. The skin may start to peel a few days after the peel is performed, but any flakiness will subside as the skin heals and is well-moisturized.
Your dermatologist or skincare professional will prepare your skin using a glycolic cleanser that helps to remove the oils and thins out the top layer of the skin so that the chemical solution can penetrate deep into the skin’s layers. Once the solution is applied, you will feel a slight burning sensation, but this can be alleviated by directing a cool fan onto the skin.
What to Expect After the Jessner Peel
Some people do notice peeling and flaking for about seven days after the treatment, and the skin may turn pink or brown during the peeling process.
The Jessner Peel offers several benefits for most skin types, including:
- Reduced appearance of fine lines
- Lightening of dark skin patches
- Reduces effects of sun damage
- Can be performed on the neck and chest area
- Promotes healing of acne
- Decreases oil production
After the healing process is complete, the skin will appear very smooth, supple and more youthful. It may take several peels to reduce the appearance of age spots and freckles that have been on the skin for several years, but lighter spots and hyperpigmentation can be reduced after just a single treatment.
Learn more about
chemical peels for skin rejuvenation in our information guide, or consult with a
cosmetic dermatologist in your area to find out if you might be a good candidate for the Jessner Peel.
Published: 09/25/2009, Last Updated: 09/25/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.