Chemical Peels
What is a Chemical peel?
For thousands of years, we have been using a range of substances from sour milk used by cleopatra, to fermented grape to improve complexions. Today there are lots different acids used in different strengths and combinations to improve skin problems.
Peels are used to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, blemishes, acne scarring, wrinkles, rosacea, and pigmentation problems. There are three types of peel strengths
Superficial chemical peel
This is a quick and affordable treatment. The face is cleansed and peel applied and left up to about twelve minutes. A Very mild stinging sensation may occur while the peel is on. The peel is then washed off and neutralised and a moisturiser is applied. A sun block should also be used because new skin may have too much pigment which can turn to brown blotches in sunlight causing hyper-pigmentation.
Two weeks before the peel you will need to use a skin peel home care product, this is to be continued after the peel to maintain the effects.
The skin may look slightly pink afterwards and may show faint white discolouration or blotches which fade in one or two hours. After the peel and you can go straight back to normal daily life.
Repeat the peel treatment every 10 days for four to six weeks, and maintain the effect with a monthly peel.
A superficial chemical peel can be performed by a beauty therapist or a nurse and costs approx £60 + per peel treatment.
Superficial Chemical peel ingredients
- Glycolic Acid Peel
- Mandelic Acid Peel
- Salicylic Acid Peel
- Azelaic Acid Peel
- Retinol Peel
- Kojic Acid Peel
- Lacitc Acid Peel
- Arginine Peel
- Pyruvic Acid Peel
Medium depth chemical peel
The skin is cleansed and peel applied. The treated area turns whitish grey over several minutes. The peel is then neutralised. The face may swell when the peel is applied, and burning or stinging lasts for about an hour after treatment. A total sun block must be used after this peel.
Recovery takes a week or more, depending on how quickly you heal because older skin heals more slowly. In the five to six days after treatment, the skin may turn dark brown, with white streaks. It will itch and begin to peel, after which the skin is bright red, fading to fresh pink over the next three to six weeks.
Hyper-pigmentation can occur even if you use sunscreens. Brown blotches can be treated with bleaching creams. The red face can sometimes last longer than two to three months.
Repeat the treatment monthly until you achieve the effect you want, and then maintain it with a peel every 6-12 months.
A medium chemical peel can be performed by a nurse or doctor and costs approx £600 + per course of 4 peel treatment. Cost depends on the percentage of TCA used higher formulas are applied by doctors and are more expensive.
Medium chemical peel ingredients
TCA Trichloroacetic acid Chemical Peel
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in different concentrations, but it is usually used for
medium-depth peeling. TCA acid will penetrate the skin much faster and deeper producing quicker
and more dramatic results therefor the result of TCA peel produces more dramatic results than AHA
peels
Deep chemical peel
Local anaesthetic is injected to freeze the face. You may also be sedated. The skin is cleansed and a strong peel applied and left on for around 30 minutes before being neutralised.
Patients often feel unwell after a deep peel, and experience moderate to severe pain lasting several days. The face swells in the first two days and it can be very itchy during the healing process. It takes around two weeks before the face is healed enough for you to be seen in public.
One treatment can produce dramatic results and the effects last for 10 years.
A deep chemical peel can be performed by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon and costs approx £2,000 + per chemical peel treatment.
Deep chemical peel ingredients
Phenol Chemical Peel
Phenol acid is the strongest chemical peel solution, and it is used for the deepest possible
chemical peel. Phenol peels are only used once and create dramatic results. Full-face phenol
peels may take between one and two hours but phenol peels for small portions of the face, such as
the upper lip, may take only 10 to 15 minutes.
With a phenol peel, the new skin frequently loses its ability to make pigment (that is, tan). This means that not only will the skin be lighter in color, but you'll always have to protect it from the sun.
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