What To Know About Chemical Peel Apply> Or are you looking for a way to get rid of wrinkles and the fine lines that come with aging? If so, a chemical peel might be a good choice for you. Chemical peels are popular because they can improve your skin’s appearance by removing damaged or dead skin cells. Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peels, in which an acid is used to dissolve the outermost layer of skin, are the most popular type of chemical peel.
Chemical peels can be done in two ways: as an in-office procedure or at home by using a home kit. A professional will apply the peel to your face in layers over several days and then remove any remaining dead skin cells with a special tool called a lancet. This process takes about 30 minutes per day and requires no downtime after treatment. At-home kits are available that contain a solution with glycolic acid (an AHA) that you apply yourself on your face at night before bedtime for up to 20 minutes each time until all dead skin cells have been removed from your face (about three weeks).
Many forms of skin damage can be remedied with chemical peels. Specifically, they reduce the appearance of age and sun spots, acne scars and discoloration, melasma, and erythema that develop after an inflammation. Acne scars, wrinkles, and other skin flaws have long been treated with chemical peels. Read on to learn more about Chemical Peel Benefits & Chemical Peel Process.
What To Know About Chemical Peel Apply
A chemical peel for the face is a procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove damaged skin cells, treat wrinkles and correct scars and sunspot discolorations.
Chemical peels contain different types of acids that have varying depths of skin penetration. Depending on your choice and type of skin, you can pick from a wide variety of options.
What do you need to do to prepare for a chemical peel?
Step one in getting a chemical peel is consulting with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who is board certified in cosmetic procedures to discuss your expectations and concerns. The doctor will look at your medical history and the medicines you are currently taking to decide if you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
This review includes screening for a history of diabetes, nutritional deficiency, photosensitivity, abnormal scarring, prior radiation, recent facial surgery, skin conditions, use of isotretinoin or oral contraceptives, smoking status, pregnancy status and amount of daily sun exposure – these factors can increase the risk of complications.
Next, a physical exam of the skin is performed to assess skin thickness, health and condition. Photographs may be taken to document the pre-procedure skin condition.
Tretinoin, hydroquinone, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid is some of the ingredients that dermatologists may suggest.
Finally, refrain from any facial waxing or dermabrasion. The goals of these preparation steps and recommendations are to thin the epidermal layer, increase the chemical peel’s penetration, hasten the skin’s natural healing process, and reduce the likelihood of unwanted side effects like hyperpigmentation and scarring.
The day prior to your procedure, the face should be washed with non-residue soap. Moisturizers and make-up should be avoided.
What should you expect during the procedure?
Chemical peeling is done in a dedicated office room with appropriate lighting and ventilation. You will be lying down in a supine position, and your eyes will be closed for the procedure with appropriate eye protection.
A neutral paste may be applied in areas around your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the chemical peeling solution from pooling in those areas. For deeper peels, a relaxing or pain medicine may be given right before the procedure.
The application method may be different depending on the chosen peeling agent. Liquid solutions may be applied using a brush, cotton tip applicator, or gauze swab. For gels, usually, a wooden or plastic spatula is used. The peeling agent is first applied to areas with thicker skin, such as the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. It is then spread to the other areas of the face using firm, even strokes in the same direction.
You may feel some mild tenderness while the chemical peel is on your skin. Upon completion of the procedure, a neutralizing wash or cool compress may be used on the face.
Post-procedure experience
After a chemical peel, your skin will be likely red and appear irritated. Deeper chemical peels may result in increased redness and swelling. It is also normal to feel some continued burning or stinging. A protective ointment such as petroleum jelly can be applied to soothe the area, and symptoms should begin to resolve within one to two weeks.
Makeup can usually be worn the next day for light peels, and after a week for medium peels. It may take a few months for the skin to fully return to normal and show complete results of the peel. Recommendations such as routine cleansing, moisturizing and sun exposure minimization will help prolong the results of the chemical peel.
Chemical peels are a quick, safe and cost-effective method for skin rejuvenation. Successful chemical peeling is dependent on the proper matching of a patient’s motivation for the procedure and the appropriate peeling agent. Your physician can go over the risks and benefits to determine the best treatment plan for you.
Chemical Peel Benefits
Chemical peels can be an effective way to remove wrinkles and fine lines, smooth out skin texture, even out skin tone and treat acne. They can also treat hyperpigmentation (brown spots) due to sun damage or other reasons, such as melasma.
Chemical peels help to improve the appearance of your skin by removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells and revealing a younger looking, smoother and more even-toned complexion. A chemical peel usually takes a few minutes on each side of the face and requires no anesthesia or downtime afterward.
Chemical peels can be performed on all skin types including oily, dry, combination and sensitive skin.
The results of chemical peels vary depending on the area being treated and the depth of penetration desired. Some people may experience mild redness or flaking for several days after treatment, but this is normal and will subside without any treatment needed.
Chemical peels work by removing the outer layer of skin, which allows new skin to grow in its place. The top layer of the skin is made up of dead cells that are constantly shed, but they often accumulate on the surface of the skin, clogging pores and leading to acne or blackheads. A chemical peel can help remove these dead cells and improve your complexion by revealing smoother, healthier skin underneath.
The most common type of chemical peels are glycolic acid peels, which work by dissolving the cross-linking bonds between collagen fibers and exfoliating away dead skin cells. This procedure can be done at home using products like glycolic body washes or creams, but it’s best to see a dermatologist if you want a more thorough treatment that will yield better results.
A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment that removes the top layer of your skin. This can help minimize wrinkles, dullness, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. It may also help skin disorders like acne and rosacea. However, a chemical peel can’t treat deep wrinkles and scarring.
Have you had an in-clinic chemical peel but didn’t experience any peeling afterwards?
Were you disappointed that the treatment hadn’t worked?
Don’t worry most people expect to have some peeling after a peel but it really depends on the condition of your skin at the time of chemical peel whether you peel or not.
Skin’s natural cycle
Our skin is in a constant renewal state and we shed our top layer on a daily basis. We shed very slowly, and as dead skin cells get washed or brushed away, we do not normally notice this. The cells are made deep in our skin and migrate to the surface to be shed. This process is quite quick in youth lasting about a four-week period extending to six weeks or longer as we get older. As the shedding slows down, so does the production of new cells leading to a build-up of a thicker layer of dead skin cells on the surface. Externally, this can give your skin a dull, dry appearance.
The cells also change as they migrate to the top from being juicy and plump to flatter and dehydrated. They normally carry pigment to the surface with them. Once at the surface they are held by special bonds which ‘glue’ the cells together for a short period before they break away.
What happens during a chemical peel?
During a chemical peel, a specially prepared acid or a combination of acid solution is applied on the surface of your skin. This breaks the bonds or ‘glue’ holding the cells together. Different acids are able to penetrate to different depths during the treatment. Over the following week, the cells separate away giving visible signs of flaking or peeling. Sometimes this may only be happening when you wash your skin so you may not be aware of the ‘peeling’. If the skin is particularly dehydrated at the time of the peel, you may experience more peeling. Deeper peels cause more extensive peeling.
Whether you peel or not, you can be reassured that a good chemical peel would do its job- stimulate separation of the surface layer encouraging your skin to multiply faster. Hence reveal more radiant, hydrated skin.
What are the risks of a chemical peel?
Occasionally if the skin is poorly prepared with no exposure to medical-grade products, it may react with side effects such as hyper (increased) pigmentation, inflammation or even scarring. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to the components of the peel in susceptible individuals. It is therefore recommended that your skin is prepared with the correct skincare before you have a chemical peel. This may be as little as two weeks or twelve to eighteen weeks depending on your risk factors. Those with a darker skin tone or a family history of darker skin tones are at increased risk of hyperpigmentation and need careful skin preparation.
What are the benefits of a chemical peel?
A chemical peel is a brilliant skin rejuvenation treatment to stimulate your skin to perform better. It is great at removing superficial pigmentation and improving superficial scars. By exfoliation, it can help to even out your skin tone. Chemical peels can be used to address uneven and rough skin texture by stimulating new skin production. It also helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles as skin quality improves.
In blemish-prone skin, the targetted chemical peel helps to shrink the pore and reduce sebum production. It will also reduce inflammation leading to fewer blemishes.
How often should you have a chemical peel?
How often you should have a peel really depends on the intended purpose. For acne and blemish-prone skin, gentle chemical peels are recommended every 2-3 weeks. For pigmentation, it maybe every 3-4 weeks. Skin rejuvenation peels maybe every 4-6 weeks. Once a course of a peel is completed you should really start a maintenance programme to sustain the results of the initial treatment course. You may also consider home peels when clinic attendance is unsuitable. If not maintained, the skin will revert back to its dull state lacking lustre.
At Skin Enhance And Wellness, I offer a variety of chemical peels including prescription-only chemical peels. It is best to have a consultation first in person or remotely to assess suitability and start on home treatment to prepare for a chemical peel.
Chemical Peel Process
Chemical peels are a great way to resurface the skin and improve its appearance. Chemical peels can help with acne, fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage.
There are many different types of chemical peels, each with a different concentration of acid and with varying effects on the skin. A superficial peel will cause superficial exfoliation of the skin’s outer layers and produce a mild to moderate peel. A medium depth peel will cause deeper exfoliation and produce a moderate to deep peel. Finally, a deep chemical peel will cause significant exfoliation of the skin’s surface layer down to the middle layer of the epidermis or even below it.
The most common types of chemical peels include:
Superficial peels: These peels remove only the top layers of dead skin cells, revealing smooth, clear skin beneath them. They do not penetrate deeply into the dermis and do not affect collagen production or remodeling in any significant way. Examples include glycolic acid (20-70%) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at 15-30%.
Medium depth peels: These deeper peels can be used for treating pigmentation problems as well as acne, wrinkles and scars.
Chemical peels are a type of skin treatment that uses a chemical solution to remove dead layers of skin. This process can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, age spots and sun damage. The chemical peel process can be used on all skin types, but is most effective on those with dry or sun-damaged skin that has uneven pigmentation or rough texture.
The Chemical Peel Process
Chemical peels are done in a dermatologist’s office or at a spa. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, although it may take longer depending on the size of the area being treated. During the chemical peel process, your skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. An aesthetician will apply a thin layer of gel containing the active ingredient in the peel to your face and neck. The gel is allowed to sit on your face for several minutes before it is wiped off with gauze pads saturated in water. Your face may start feeling warm immediately after you receive the chemical peel treatment, but this sensation should subside within 15 minutes after removing the solution from your skin.
Your doctor will use a cotton-tipped applicator or gauze to apply a chemical solution containing trichloroacetic acid, sometimes in combination with glycolic acid. The treated skin will begin to whiten. After a few minutes, your doctor will apply cool compresses to soothe treated skin.
The journey to a great chemical peel starts with finding the kind of peel best suited for you. It ends with ensuring that your skin gets the best care after the peel.
What Is a Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is a way of exfoliating skin using a solution that has a pH of around two. It helps to smooth out the texture of the skin making your face feel fresh. It helps to treat many skin issues like hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkles.
Chemical Peel Side Effects
The side effects that you may experience depend mainly on the type of peel used, its strength, and intensity. For light peels, you will have little to no side effects. Usually, you will get a little redness which resolves in an hour or two.
For deep peels, you will have skin peeling in addition to the redness. Other side effects include the change of skin color, heart, kidney or liver damage, infection, and scarring. These effects can last for 7-10 days.
How to Care for Skin
Knowing the above, it is therefore important that you take care of your skin after a chemical peel. For at least 24 hours, it is important to ensure that you do not use products that have active ingredients like:
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids.
- Beta Hydroxy Acids.
- Low pH Serums.
- Retin-A or any other Retinoids.
- Serums with Vitamin C and Ascorbic Acid.
- Any other chemical exfoliates.
Follow a very bland and basic skincare routine. Use a hyaluronic acid product as they help to moisturize, hydrate, and play an important role in wound healing. Look for ingredients like ceramides and cholesterol which function as ingredients identical to those found in the skin. They help to repair damage caused to the moisture barrier.
A good moisturizer to use after a chemical peel is CeraVe. It comes with an addition of four percent niacinamide. Niacinamide is an antioxidant that has anti-aging benefits and helps to brighten skin tone. It also increases the production of collagen by your skin and is great for people with dry skin.