Stretch marks, birth marks, tattoo removal, and of course a whole host of other skin blemishes may be removed in a number of ways, the two most common ones being chemical peels and laser resurfacing. Although both methods offer a certain amount of success, there is also some failure associated with them. The overall goal that is achieved by chemical peels or laser resurfacing is the removal of damaged top layers of skin which is then replaced by the body’s natural self healing instincts. The new skin that will cover the areas affected by treatment will be smoother, younger looking, and most likely also devoid of the blemishes that previously marred the appearance.
On the downside, there is the potential for complications and as both methods harm the outer layer of skin, the healing process may take a certain amount of time, sometimes being measured in months rather than weeks. In the same vein, if sun exposure is incurred too soon after the procedure, the odds are good that the skin will tone and tan unevenly, creating an appearance of blotchiness. At the same time, the risk of experiencing sun damage and even burns is greatly increased, and this raises the risk of skin cancer.
A laser skin resurfacing will rely on the highly localized laser to destroy specific areas of skin. Depending on the size of the blemish that is to be removed, several treatments may need to be undergone. This of course will lead to a much heightened cost. Furthermore, laser resurfacing requires the careful eye of a skilled professional who is not only familiar with the equipment but also has extensive experience with dermatological intricacies, especially those that will counter indicate the use of a laser in any given area of the body.
Chemical peels, on the other hand, cover a much broader surface and are therefore usually the first course of action for those seeking to remove a birthmark or a large surface area of skin. In simplest terms, a chemical peel is much like exposing the skin to a chemical burn: the agent in touch with the skin will cause the latter to blister and then peel away. This has given rise to occasions where allergies and other problems have led to severe reactions that required medical attention.
Some of the severity of these reactions may be traced back to the failure to adequately understand and apply the directions given with the peels. Those using them may have decided to repeat the procedure too quickly or too soon after another round was completed. Without proper healing, the skin that was brought to the surface was too fresh and the damage went to deep, at times even leading to severe scarring. This is not the case with laser treatments, as it is very obvious where the work was done and professionals in the field know that there needs to be sufficient time that elapses before the same area of skin can be treated again. Chemical peels, on the other hand, can be purchased online as do it yourself kits, or even at the grocery store and the consumer must be certain to observe all the caveats without medical assistance.
