skin treatments

Get Pittsburgh Skin Treatments that Refresh and Exfoliate

Your skin deserves only the best care available to it. Having beautiful skin helps you exude confidence and feel healthier, too. Sun-damage, wrinkles, acne, and dead skin cells undermine our beauty, but chemical peels and microdermabrasion performed by a skilled licensed esthetician in the Pittsburgh area can reverse these signs of aging and poor health.

If you’ve never reaped the benefits of a chemical peel or microdermabrasion performed with the premium SkinMedica® line of skincare products, then you may not understand exactly how these esthetic skin treatments work. The professionals at Cosmetic Laser Centers are here to explain the basics, so you can decide which treatment is best for you and your skin.

What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is designed to improve the appearance of the skin on your face, neck, or hands. During this skin treatment, a licensed esthetician thoroughly cleans your skin, and then applies a special chemical solution to the treatment area.

What appear to be blisters form on the skin, resulting in a sunburn-like reaction, without being exposed to harmful rays. Over the course of about a week and a half, the blistered skin slowly peels off, revealing smoother, softer skin. Stronger chemical peels may result in more severe-looking peeling, but gentler forms of chemical peels are available for first-time users.

Clients who receive chemical peels report feeling a slight tingling or burning sensation when the chemical peel formula is applied to their skin, but generally have no issues handling this unusual feeling. After a chemical peel, your skin may be sensitive to the sun, so wearing sunscreen every day is vitally important. (You should wear an SPF moisturizer on your face every day anyway!)

Do not be alarmed if the areas of treated skin darken; when they peel off, you’ll be left with soft and supple skin! However, you may not want to get a chemical peel too close to any important events or photo opps, like weddings, graduations, or other parties.

How does a chemical peel help my skin?

There are many benefits to getting a chemical peel in Pittsburgh:

  • Improve the look of mild scarring
  • Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches caused by hormonal changes
  • Treat certain types of acne
  • Reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles due to aging or sun damage, especially those under the eyes and around the mouth
  • Overall improved look and feel of skin

Unfortunately, chemical peels do not improve sagging skin or severe wrinkles, but other cosmetic procedures at Cosmetic Laser Centers can help with those! Contact us to determine whether you’re a good candidate for a chemical peel and which strength you should choose to improve the quality of your skin.

What is microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion thoroughly exfoliates your skin’s surface, leaving it looking brighter and more youthful. Don’t confuse it with dermabrasion, which is a dermatological procedure that involves essentially sanding your skin with a special tool. Microdermabrasion, however, is much less invasive.

During microdermabrasion, a licensed esthetician sprays microcrystals onto your skin. These microcrystals are made of aluminum dioxide, a natural, sand-like substance. As these microcrystals come into contact with your skin, they gently remove the top layer, revealing fresh skin underneath. Microdermabrasion is, essentially, a very thorough exfoliation that can rejuvenate dull-looking skin.

After microdermabrasion, you’ll see results immediately, although your skin may feel dry or tight, as though you have a mild sunburn, for about a day. The procedure promotes the growth of new, soft skin by stimulating collagen production using your body’s normal healing process. After the procedure, you should limit sun exposure, but can otherwise return to your normal activities.

What are the benefits of microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is not effective for skin problems like scarring or deep wrinkles. However, it has been shown to:

  • Remove blackheads and whiteheads
  • Decrease the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and certain acne scars
  • Give an immediately more youthful appearance

Microdermabrasion works well for most people. To determine if you’re a good candidate for it, call us to learn more.

Why should I visit a professional for skin treatments?

Although you can purchase skincare products in retail stores that claim to perform similarly to a chemical peel or exfoliate like a professional microdermabrasion product, there are risks for attempting to perform these treatments yourself.

First, you could be wasting your money. Over-the-counter retail products may claim to brighten your skin or exfoliate all the dead skin particles, but in reality, these are not backed up with evidence that they do, in fact, work. And when they do work, it is only ever so slightly. Your results are nowhere near what you can achieve with professional skincare.

Secondly, if applied incorrectly, you can cause damage to your skin that will take time and potentially some medical treatments to fully heal. Don’t risk your skin in an effort to save a few dollars instead of making an appointment with a licensed and experienced professional.

Where can I find microdermabrasion and chemical peels near me?

If you’re in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, your best source for advanced skincare and anti-aging treatments is Cosmetic Laser Centers. You can find us at two locations: in Warrendale, between Wexford and Cranberry at 16000 Perry Highway, Suite 2, or in Robinson Township, at 6507 Robinson Centre Drive.

Our medical providers and experienced estheticians can help you achieve your skin goals, so you’re looking as radiant on the outside as you are on the inside. In addition to our esthetics services, we also offer laser treatments, light therapy, CoolSculpting, spider vein treatments, Botox, and much more. Our expert medical providers and staff will help you look your best and address your skin concerns with treatments best suited to your skin type.

To schedule an appointment for a chemical peel or microdermabrasion session, call us at 724-935-4200. Visit our website for more information about our practice.