Anyone who has considered cosmetic surgery to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging has probably heard of a chemical peel. This is a non-invasive procedure that resurfaces the skin to improve tone and texture while removing wrinkles, acne scars, and other forms of skin damage. Of course, the term chemical makes this sound like a harsh treatment, so here is some information you may want to know before deciding if a chemical peel is right wrinkle treatment for you.

The basics. Chemical peels are various combination of acids and chemicals applied to the skin to dissolve the outer layer and reveal the younger-looking skin underneath. As any dermatologist will tell you, chemical peels are superficial wrinkle treatments only and do not prevent the onset of aging signs. Treatments can last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour or more and may need to be repeated before satisfactory results are attained. As administering a chemical peel does not require a medical degree, be sure to thoroughly check the experience and references of anyone you get to perform this procedure.

Types of chemical peels. Chemical peels come in varying levels. The mildest chemical peel uses alphahydroxy acids (AHA). AHA peels typically require several treatments to significantly diminish wrinkles and may initially cause some irritation to the treated skin. Patients treated with an AHA peel usually experienced a slight stinging while the acid mixture was working. The next level up for chemical peels is the trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel. TCA peels are generally deeper than AHA peels, but the recovery process should be fairly quick. Swelling and discomfort should diminish within the first week. The deepest chemical peel available uses phenol to rid the skin of wrinkles and other blemishes. This chemical peel offers the most significant and long-lasting results, but it also comes with the most risks and longest recovery period. One of the most common side effects of a phenol peel is the inability of the new skin to tan or pigment naturally. These peels also pose a health threat to patients with heart conditions. The healing process following a phenol peel can take months and is rather intensive. Keep in mind that phenol peels often require bandaging of the face and may take several weeks to heal to a point where you can apply makeup. All chemical peels can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunscreen should be used to avoid overexposure.

The results. Wrinkle-removal results from AHA and TCA peels are not as dramatic as those offered by a phenol peel, but most patients do report an overall smoother, younger-looking appearance to their skin following AHA and TCA treatments. Both may require several treatment sessions before yielding significant results in wrinkle removal. Results from a phenol peel tend to be dramatic and long-lasting. When deciding which chemical peel is right for treating your wrinkles, consider the results you are trying to achieve and the amount of recovery time you are willing and able to endure. And always be sure the chemical peels are administered by an experienced professional who has achieved proven results with past patients.

Click here to find out more about safe and effective anti-wrinkle treatment alternatives to cosmetic procedures. Get healthier, younger-looking skin without the risks and recovery time associated with plastic surgery.