Chemical peeling is one of the oldest skin rejuvenation techniques available in aesthetic medicine.
Chemical peeling is one of the oldest skin rejuvenation techniques available in aesthetic medicine.
Also referred to as skin peels or chemexfoliation, there are many kinds of chemical peels which vary in strength and depth of penetration from superficial peels to deep peels.
This varying depth allows them to be used to target and treat various skin problems which reside at differing depths in the levels of the epidermis and dermis of the skin layers. The deeper and stronger the peel the more downtime you can expect as your skin heals and renews to remove the original concern. However, deeper peels also produce more dramatic results.
Chemical peels can be used to treat a wide variety of skin concerns on the face and body including:
The type of skin peel product used will also vary depending on your skin type.
Chemical peels use a variety of different acids, including glycolic or salicylic acids for example, that are designed to remove the outermost layers of skin to stimulate new skin cell production to improve the texture and tone of the skin, as well as repair mild scarring, fine lines and reduce pigmentation.
Skin will be smoother and brighter following a course of cosmetic skin peels.
This technique is neither new to medical aesthetics with our modern day skin peels dating back to dermatological tests in the 19th Century, nor to history itself, in fact some four or five thousand years ago, the Ancient Egyptian elite were known to bathe in sour asses’ milk which contains lactic acid and has a chemexfoliation effect on the skin, leaving them with soft, smooth skin which was highly prized.
At Dr SW Clinics, we use a variety of chemical peel products and brands so that we can choose the right one for you and your skin concern.
Chemical peeling is a way of regenerating the skin by removing the dead cells from the skin’s surface to reveal new, healthy cells underneath. Different types of peeling agents work in different ways, but the principle is the same.
A peeling solution is applied to the skin to cause an exfoliation effect. A course of peels can help return the skin cell turnover function to normal and leave the skin looking fresher and more radiant while improving common skin concerns such as acne, pigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles.
Chemical peels are truly diverse and can be used to treat a wide variety of skin concerns. If you want to improve the texture and tone of your skin and address problems such as pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, or acne scarring then a course of peels could be right for you.
You will need to have a consultation with our doctor to see if you are suitable for the procedure. During the consultation, a full medical history will be taken to discuss any reasons why you cannot have treatment, and a physical examination of your skin will be done to review your concerns and expectations from treatment.
Not all chemical peel brands are suitable for all skin types, so our doctor will choose the most appropriate product and active acids for your skin type.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, you will not be suitable for treatment.
The sensation you feel during a peel will depend on the strength of the peel and the depth of peeling. You may experience a prickly or tingly sensation during the peel and the skin can feel hot while the peel solution is on, but this only lasts for a short time.
A peel treatment usually takes less than half an hour. The peeling solution itself is only left on the skin for a couple of minutes before it is neutralised and removed.
A course of skin peels, spread over several weeks, is usually recommended for optimum results.
After a peel, your skin can feel tight and red, almost like a mild sunburn. You may also expertise dryness and flaking of the skin. Any downtime will relate to how strong the peel is you have had. Very mild, superficial peels have no downtime at all while stronger peels may have more side effects, which can last up to a week, while the old layer of dead skin falls away.
