Chemical Peels
What is chemical peeling?How does it work?
What are the Functions of a Chemical Peel?
What can a chemical peel achieve?
When is a chemical peel not recommended?
Are there any complications?
What is chemical peeling?
Chemical peeling is exactly as it says - peeling of the skin using a chemical. A chemical peel refreshes the skin by removing its outer damaged layers during the application of the treatment. Some sunspots, irregular pigmentation, freckles and rough scaly patches can be significantly reduced. Through the stimulation of your body’s natural healing process and production of collagen, chemical peels can also reduce fine wrinkles. There is some evidence that it may reduce the risk of skin cancer. Chemical peels are safest and most effective on the face and although hands can be peeled, the risks of scarring are higher and the results are less predictable.Back To Top
How does it work?
When the selected product is painted on the skin, it causes removal of the top or most sun damaged layers. As these layers peel off over the next week or so, new unblemished skin forms from the deeper germinal layers. Chemical peeling stimulates the growth of new healthy skin cells replacing tired old sun-damaged skin.Back To Top
What are the Functions of a Chemical Peel?
The function of a skin peel is to create an even controlled shedding of several layers of damaged cells. This exposes a new fresh layer of skin with a more even colour and a smoother texture. In addition, the peel stimulates new cells to grow, thereby tightening the skin and decreasing wrinkles.Different chemical peel solutions penetrate to different levels in the skin and so produce different results. The depth of peel required depends on the skin condition to be treated, the skin type and the lifestyle of the individual.
In this clinic a variety of peel solutions are available and vary in the depth of skin peeling produced. There are several types of peels, each using a different chemical to create its peeling effect. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are light or minimal depth Chemical Peels. Whilst Jessner's solution and Trichloracetic acid (TCA) are medium depth peels.
Glycolic acid and Lactic Acid are fruit acids or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHA peels may be used to remove brown marks and pigmentation, superficial sun damage, reduce oiliness and acne, improve pore size and generally give the skin a wake-up by removing the dead top layer. It also enables your moisturising creams to work more effectively.
When the AHA peel solution is applied to your face, it will cause a mild to moderate burning sensation. The peel is carefully timed and then removed immediately by rinsing with water. Your face will look flushed and there may be some white blotches. This look will settle after a couple of hours. Your skin will then feel rather dead and dry as this old skin peels off. Peeling usually begins about the third day and is completed by the end of a week. Skin peeling appears as superficial skin flaking and may not be obvious.
In fact most people won’t notice it at all. A light moisturiser is recommended for the first two days, then you can recommence your normal skin care routine. If pigmentation is being treated, the peels are combined with the daily use of a ‘depigmenting’ or fading cream. This depigmenting cream or gel should be commenced 2 weeks prior to the peel. Of course a sunscreen should be used every day.
Some people may experience pore clogging and pimples during the peeling period. This settles after the dead skin has peeled off and can be minimised by not using too heavy a moisturiser during the peeling week. Additional glycolic peels will further improve the skin. Usually a series of several peels about 2-4 weeks apart are necessary and the peel can be allowed to penetrate for longer each time.
An AHA peel does not involve any ‘hiding away’ time, and you can often return to work immediately after the peel. Jessner's Solution is a slightly deeper peel made from a combination of three acids. It is designed to stimulate, firm and tighten the skin. It is ideal in the treatment of skin pigmentation, sun damage and fine wrinkles.
The Jessner's peel treatment usually involves a course of three peels over a treatment period of 6-8 weeks. You may be required to prepare your skin with a ‘depigmenting’ serum or cream for 2-4 weeks prior to the peel. This will acclimatise your skin in preparation for the peel and enhance the final results.
During treatment, the peel solution is painted onto the skin in a number of layers and left on. You will experience a transient burning or stinging sensation which may be uncomfortable but generally not painful. Immediately after the peel your skin will appear shiny, red and taut. The superficial layer of your skin may peel in 48 hours. This peeling resolves in 2-3 days with skin returning to its normal appearance in one week. You must not use scrubs or abrasive products on the treated area during the repair/renewal period. A soothing moisturiser may be applied as often as needed. It is also important to avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks after the peel and always wear a broad spectrum sunscreen.
TCA peel is a medium to deep chemical peel that penetrates deeper into the skin resulting in a dramatic skin shedding and the stimulation of healthy new skin cells and a fresher youthful appearance.
TCA peels are designed for skin with more sun damage and fine wrinkling. Freckles and irregular pigmentation can also be treated effectively. Although it is safest and most effective on the face, other areas of the body can also be treated. These areas include hands, arms, neck and décolletage.
TCA peel can effectively improve many conditions, including:
- Dull, weathered skin
- Freckling
- Sun damage
- Fine wrinkling
- Shallow acne scars
- Blotchy pigmentation, including that resulting from pregnancy and the contraceptive pill.
Most people take 5-7 days to heal from an average TCA peel. During the healing process there is no pain, but the skin looks as if it has been sunburnt. Therefore, most patients choose to stay at home during this healing time. However, if you are not too self conscious about your appearance you may be able to work during part of this healing process.
Anyone who has had a TCA peel is more sensitive to sunlight for at least 4 weeks after their peel. During this time it is very important to protect the new skin with sunscreens, hats and the avoidance of strong sunlight. However, most people are anxious to protect their new improved skin from the damage of sun exposure and they continue to wear sunscreen daily even after they have healed completely.
Back To Top
What can a chemical peel achieve?
No one needs a chemical peel but many people may benefit from the procedure.- Fine wrinkling can be reduced, though deeper lines will remain (some of which can be reduced or removed with Laser resurfacing).
- Most brown marks and pigmentation can be removed or lessened, especially age and 'liver' spots (lentigines) and melasma after pregnancy. However, pigment changes can be caused by the peel in people prone to this complication due to their skin type. Those known to develop brown discolouration on their skin after injury such as a mild burn should have a test area peeled first before undergoing a full face chemical peel and even a course of fading cream.
- Scaly patches and rough skin (keratoses) can be removed. Very thick keratoses may need additional Laser treatment for complete eradication.
- Skin that is thin and fragile, e.g. a sun-damaged bald scalp - can be significantly rejuvenated.
What can a chemical peel achieve?
- Chemical peeling is not a substitute for a face-lift and will not tighten sagging skin.
- Chemical peeling will not remove broken capillaries – these will need to be treated with an IPL laser.
- Chemical peeling does not help significant acne scarring. Erbium Laser resurfacing will achieve the best results.
- Patients working outdoors with lengthy periods in the sun or those who wish to continue to sun-worship should not have any form of chemical peeling. All of the benefits of peeling will be rapidly lost by UV light exposure from any source.
Are there any complications?
Scarring can occur with strong acids or a phenol peel, but is almost unknown with a TCA peel. The most common causes of scarring are from infection and pulling the flaking pieces of skin off before they are ready. Both are avoidable and patients should take extreme care to avoid manipulating the skin while it is flaking.Back To Top
