Skincare Treated

Chemical Peels for all Types of Skin

Chemical peels are the process by which the top layer of damaged skin is removed by applying chemicals on the skin, usually the face. The skin then renews itself and looks smooth and normal.

Who Can Use It?

People who have damaged or flawed skin, especially on the face, should consider having a chemical peel. Chemical peels improve one’s appearance, giving a boost to self-esteem and confidence.

These days, younger people develop lines and wrinkles due to stress and other factors. Chemical peels are becoming more popular with them to reverse the effects of aging.

Chemical peels improve the texture of the skin by removing the outer layers that have been damaged due to prolonged exposure to the sun, pigmentation and scars caused by accidents or illness.

They can remove fine lines and wrinkles. These peels can be applied to other parts of the body besides the face.

Types of Peels

Peels can be of different depths. Superficial peels can be performed by a beauty therapist, while deeper peels are carried out by a dermatologist, sometimes under anesthesia.

Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs0 are gentle peels and result in a superficial effect. They remove fine wrinkles, acne and uneven pigmentation. AHAs such as lactic, glycolic or fruit acids are used. The peels may need to be repeated a few times.

Trichloroacetic Acid peels (TCA) are used to obtain a deeper peel. TCA peels remove superficial blemishes, surface wrinkles and pigmentation. These peels can be used on the neck and other parts of the body.

The depth of the peel depends on the concentration of TCA used. This peel is painful, but results in significant improvement in skin texture. TCA peels are suitable for removing blemishes and correcting pigment problems in people with darker skin.

A Phenol Peel is the strongest of all chemical peels. It is used to remove deep lines and wrinkles, treat sun damaged skin and pre-cancerous growths.

Phenol Peels

People with dark skin should not opt for this type of peel, as phenol can lighten the treated areas of skin to a great extent. Patients with heart problems are also not suitable candidates for phenol peels.

Phenol peels are very painful and are performed under general anesthesia. It takes a few months to recover completely, but the results last longer.

Beta hydroxyacid peel is a new procedure. It uses salicylic acid to treat acne scars and brown spots and revitalize the skin. The procedure involves lifting the dead, dry cells off the surface of the skin and stimulating the process of skin renewal.

It is a relatively short procedure. Unlike traditional chemical peels, this peel does not damage the integrity of the cells. It is self-limiting and becomes inactive once the required stimulus has been delivered for skin renewal.

Preparing for a Peel

Your dermatologist will prescribe pre-treatment creams containing either Vitamin A or AHA to exfoliate and thin the surface of the skin. These may need to be applied for weeks before the procedure.

After-effects vary depending on the type of chemical peel. AHA peels may cause stinging, irritation, redness and crusting of the skin.

TCA peels can cause changes in skin color. The effects of superficial peels usually disappear in a couple of days. Phenol peels require the sensitive skin to be protected from direct sunlight. They also cause swelling of the face and eyes.

After a chemical peel is used, the treated area needs to heal, so do not pick or scratch your skin. You need to use sunscreen, mild cleansers and moisturizers daily.

Avoid scrubs and masks as these can irritate and damage the skin. Protect your skin from the sun for at least six months. The verdict? Chemical peels are very useful as a beauty product as well as in the treatment in certain skin conditions.