Chemical Peels for Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are the bane of models and actresses where their jobs depend on their looks and skin complexion. When you snap photos of a model, you don’t want to print out pictures in a magazine with all the stretch marks showing on the thighs, hips and arms. They look unsightly on magazine covers and need to be removed as soon as possible. There are many methods used to remove stretch marks such as chemical peels, laser surgery and so on.
Chemical peels are going to be minimally effective at treating stretch marks, like any treatment that remodels the skin. It will have almost no impact on them. One of the hardest things to bring back in the skin is elastin fibers. Since it is the elastin in the skin that is damaged in stretch marks, it makes it very difficult to treat.
Chemical peels, also known as derma-peeling, are a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which causes it to "blister" and eventually peel off just like the orange skin. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. However, the new skin also is temporarily more sensitive to the sun.
Chemical peels are performed on the face, neck or hands. They can be used to reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth, treat wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors. They can also improve the appearance of mild scarring, treat certain types of acne, reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills. Furthermore, they improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in texture and color. Areas of sun damage, which may contain pre-cancerous keratoses that appear as scaly spots, may improve after chemical peeling. Following treatment, new pre-cancerous lesions are less likely to appear.
However, sags, bulges and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may require other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift or soft tissue filler such as collagen. A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for each individual case.
Prior to the chemical peel, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin with topical preconditioning medications such as glycolic acid. After the chemical peel, it's important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. You need to buy sunscreen with high sun protection factor so that the protective effect lasts longer under the sun.
During the procedure of chemical peel, most patients experience a warm to hot sensation, followed by a stinging sensation. Cool compresses may be applied to help alleviate this stinging. A deeper peel may require pain medication during or after the procedure. It is important to avoid over-exposure to the sun after a chemical peel since the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to complications.
