AGEING IS A FACT OF LIFE, LOOKING YOUR AGE IS NOT – GLOWING SKIN IS ALWAYS IN.

CHEMICAL PEELS: EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THEM

HIGHLIGHTS:

• WHAT IS CHEMICAL PEEL?
• WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHEMICAL PEEL?
• IS CHEMICAL PEEL SAFE?
• WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A CHEMICAL PEEL?
• WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER A CHEMICAL PEEL?
• WHEN TO CONSIDER CHEMICAL PEELS?
• WHO SHOULD NOT GET A CHEMICAL PEEL?
• WHAT AGE IS GOOD FOR A CHEMICAL PEEL?
• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FACIAL AND A CHEMICAL PEEL?
• HOW AFTEN CAN I HAVE CHEMICAL PEELS?
• WHAT SORT OF FOLLOW-UP CARE IS NEEDED AFTER A CHEMICAL PEEL?
• WHAT ARE THE BENIFITS OF CHEMICAL PEEL?

WHAT IS CHEMICAL PEEL

Chemical peeling is a simple, in-office procedure that has gained popularity, as it is relatively safe and is easy to perform. Due to this, it is one of the most widely used non-surgical procedures for skin rejuvenation in aesthetic dermatology practice. A chemical agent is applied on the skin, after which the top layer of the skin peels off eventually. Chemical peels are aimed at improving your skin’s overall appearance.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHEMICAL PEEL?

Chemical peels are broadly defined by the depth of damage in the skin they produce. They are broadly categorized as follows:

• Superficial peels do not damage skin below the epidermis, the most superficial skin layer.
• Medium peels may reach to the superficial layer of the dermis, the deeper layer of skin.
• Deep peels generally reach the deeper layers of skin.

The depth of damage depends on the nature, concentration of chemical in the peeling solution and the length of time they are permitted to interact with skin.

FACTORS MODIFYING THE DEPTH OF A CHEMICAL PEEL AGENT

• CHEMICAL AGENT APPLIED
• CONCENTRATION OF THE CHEMICAL
• CONTACT TIME
• SKIN TYPE
• PREPARATION OF THE SKIN
• TECHNIQUE OF APPLICATION

IS CHEMICAL PEEL SAFE?

When performed under a board-certified dermatologist or trained skin care specialist, chemical peels are extremely safe. However, you must follow pre- and post-peel instructions as suggested by your doctor.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR CHEMICAL PEEL?

The following are some common reasons why you want to consider a chemical peel:

• You have sun-damaged skin.
• You have scars that have made the surface of your skin uneven.
• You have significant facial wrinkling.
• You have dull complexion, rough-feeling skin.
• Other characteristics of your skin such as thickness and texture may influence if you are a good candidate for chemical peels.

If you are in general good health, have a positive attitude & realistic expectation you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE, DURING &AFTER A CHEMICAL PEEL?

• BEFORE:Consult your dermatologist before going for a chemical peel, avoid waxing, scrubbing, bleaching & massages a week before the procedure and stop using retinol/retinoids for 48hours prior to the procedure. All patients should be encouraged to use appropriate sunscreens prior to and after peeling. Those with darker skin may also require pretreatment prior to chemical peels.
• DURING:Superficial peels rarely require anesthesia but are accompanied by a burning sensation when the solution is applied. This can be relieved by the application of cold compresses. A peeling solution is applied on the area for the set amount of time preceded by cleansing the area, followed by a neutralizing solution.
• AFTER:After a chemical peel, your skin is more prone to sun damage. It is crucial to protect your skin with appropriate sunscreen. After the treatment, you may notice redness and scaling for about 3-6 days. Limit your exposure to sun after a chemical peel procedure for 7-10 days.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Skin peels have a very long history. Early records show that they were used to apply sour milk to the skin. This sour milk contained lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid which rejuvenates the skin.
• In roan times, people would use fruit such as grapes to exfoliate their skin. The active ingredient responsible for the use of grapes was tartaric acid.

WHEN TO CONSIDER CHEMICAL PEEL?

• If you want to improve the evenness of color and texture of your skin, to restore a healthy, radiant appearance.
• If you have wrinkles or sun damaged skin.
• If you have skin discolorations, blotchiness, or brown spots.
• If you want to improve the appearance of acne scars.

WHO SHOULD NOT GET A CHEMICAL PEEL?

A person with any active bacterial, viral, fungal, or herpetic infection in the area to be peeled and any tendency to develop keloids are advised not to get chemical peel procedure done.

WHAT AGE IS GOOD FOR A CHEMICAL PEEL?

You can in general start using chemical peels in your 20s &30s, using chemical pels can keep your skin healthy and fresh during the later years as well.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FACIAL AND A CHEMICAL PEEL?

The results of a chemical peel are usually faster as compared to a facial. In facials, they generally use creams, scrums, scrubs, and there is hardly any recovery time with results usually seen after regular facials over a period. While in peels, chemical peeling agents are used to strips off the top layers of the skin with recovery time varying from a few days to weeks based on the depth of peel and results are almost immediate with brighter and smoother looking skin.

HOW OFTEN CAN I HAVE CHEMICAL PEELS?

The frequency of chemical peels really depends upon what type of chemical peel you are receiving, based on depth of peels.

Usually, superficial peels can be done or repeated every 2-3weeks based on the indication for which the treatment is given. In case of medium depth peels, they are usually recommended after 4-6 weeks between each session. Deeper chemical peels offer more-dramatic results but also take longer to recover from.

WHAT SORT OF FOLLOW-UP CARE IS NEEDED AFTER A CHEMICAL PEEL?

The skin is especially sensitive after a chemical peel. It is essential to practice strict sun avoidance during and after the healing process. The skin may remain sun sensitive for some time after the peel. The frequency of post procedure visits usually depends upon the depth of the peel used.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CHEMICAL PEEL?

Chemical peels reduce skin damage, giving the skin a more youthful or unblemished appearance. Depending on the person’s concerns and their type of skin, a dermatologist will recommend the most appropriate chemical peel. The appearance of the treated skin will have a more youthful texture with a uniform coloration that will blend well with their untreated skin, giving a clearer, glowing skin.

CHEMICAL PEELS IN A NUTSHELL

• Chemical peels are a means of rejuvenating the skin by removing the keratin layer of dead skin cells that sists on the skins epidermal surface and by stimulating the production of new healthy epidermal cells.
• Chemical peels are designed to introduce a controlled injury to the skin to a specific depth.
• The type of chemical peel used depends on the nature of skin problem to be treated depth of the peel is dependent upon the condition to be treated.
• Chemical peels aid in restoring a healthy, luminous & radiant appearance to the skin.

Reviewed By:

Dr. K. BHAVANI

CONSULTANT – DERMATOLOGIST AND AESTHETIC PHYSICIAN

MBBS., MD(DVL).,FRGUHS., FELLOW IN COSMETOLOGY