Chemical Peeling is a procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin causing a peeling of its upper layers. Depending on the depth of the peeling it can remove freckles, brown blotches, scaly sunspots and even superficial wrinkles.
The peeled skin is then replaced by new skin which grows out from the depths of the hair follicles. The new skin, having been protected in the depths of the hair follicles from exposure to the sun, is fresher and unblemished in its appearance.
TYPES OF CHEMICAL PEEL
Chemical Peels are classed as Superficial, Medium or Deep depending on the depth to which the chemical solution peels the skin.
- Superficial Peel
This type of peel removes only the very uppermost layers of the skin. Accordingly it will only smooth and freshen up the skin. It will not remove wrinkles, freckles, sunspots or brown blotches.
This peel usually requires no anesthesia or sedation and is carried out as an office procedure.
There is minimal or no discomfort after the treatment. The skin peels off over the next 3 days and healing occurs by about the fourth or fifth day. Makeup can be applied once the skin has completely healed. You only need to be off work for 4-5 days until the skin finishes peeling.
Superficial peels can be repeated every 2-3 months if necessary.
- Medium Peel
This is our most commonly performed Chemical Peel.
A Medium Peel removes skin to a greater depth than the Superficial Peel. It is excellent for removing most of the sun-damaged layers along with freckles, brown blemishes, blotchy pigmentation, sallowness, skin coarseness and even sunspots. It will either improve or remove very fine wrinkles, especially around the eyes. It will not remove those wrinkles that reach deeper than the depth of the peel.
Medium Chemical Peels are carried out in our Clinic's Operating Theatre with Intravenous Analgesia alone. You do not need an anaesthetic. You can go home shortly afterwards but you should have someone accompany you home. After the procedure the skin may feel "tight" like mild sunburn for a day or two but you will have NO pain.
Peeling commences around the 4-5th day and is completed by the 7-8th day. Surprisingly for patients, there are no "raw" surfaces left as the old skin peels off. As the skin peels off, the new skin is already in place beneath it. During this week of peeling you need to be off work and stay indoors. As soon as the skin has finished peeling you can resume wearing make-up and return to work.
- Deep Peels have been largely replaced by Laser Skin Resurfacing which offers similar results but with greater control and safety - factors essential when working in the deeper layers of the skin.
Although not recommended as the first line of treatment for acne scarring, in some cases a Chemical Peel may improve the appearance provided the scars are very shallow.
WHO IS SUITABLE FOR A CHEMICAL PEEL?
This procedure is best suited to individuals with fair skin. People with dark or Asian skin are generally unsuitable as they have a great risk of pigmentation problems after the peel. Individuals with olive skin or those with a tendency to pigmentation can still have a Chemical Peel but they need to be aware that they are more likely to have pigmentation problems after the procedure.
HOW LONG WILL THE IMPROVEMENT LAST? This will depend on the individual, the depth of the peel and your future sun exposure. Generally, the rejuvenation with a Medium Peel should last 2-5 years. The more you protect your skin from sun exposure the longer that improvement will last.
