Chemical peels appear to be quite scary, don't they? Here's a step by step method to rethinking your decision. Chemical peels are widely used for peeling acne and removing wrinkles, damaged skin, and scars from the face. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures. They can also be performed at a variety of depths, from shallow to deep. Chemical peels with a deeper depth produce more incredible effects, but the recovery period is prolonged.
What is chemical peel ?
A chemical peel is a process that involves applying a chemical solution removing the top layers of the skin and peeling acne. The skin that has been regenerated is smoother. To attain the desired results, you may need to repeat the procedure with a light or medium peel.
Chemical peels might contribute to enhancing the skin’s look. In this technique, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, causing it to “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.
How does chemical peel help with acne?
When performed in a series, a superficial peel, often known as a “lunchtime” peel, can help in peeling acne, ranging from mild to moderate. It can be applied to the problematic parts of the face or any other body area where acne is a problem. Chemical peels exfoliate the skin quickly and effectively, allowing dead skin cells to shed more easily. Pore blockages and pimples can be decreased by preventing dead skin cells and excess oil from obstructing hair follicles. Acne scars can be reduced with more advanced chemical peels.
Types of chemical peels
Chemical peels are available in three main varieties. These are some of them:
- Peels use mild acids like AHA to mildly exfoliate the skin. This helps to penetrate the top layer of the skin.
- Medium peels, which reach the intermediate and outer layers of the skin with trichloroacetic or glycolic acid. These peels help in improving its ability to remove damaged skin cells.
- Deep peels use phenol or trichloroacetic acid to completely enter the middle layer of the skin and remove damaged skin cells.
How can you prepare for a Chemical Peel?
You may also need to do the following before peeling:
- In the treated areas, there exist pigmentation abnormalities. Consult your doctor for information on sun protection and appropriate levels of sun exposure.
- If you’ve been infected with a virus, you should take antiviral treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug before and after treatment to help prevent a viral infection.
- Apply a retinoid cream on your skin.
- Certain cosmetic treatments and hair removal methods should be avoided. Stop using hair removal methods like electrolysis or depilatories about a week before the peel. Starting 24 hours before your peel, don’t shave the areas that will be treated.
- Use a bleaching chemical to remove the stains. To lessen the chance of side effects, your doctor may consider using a bleaching agent (hydroquinone), a retinoid cream, or both before or after the surgery.
- Sun exposure without protection should be avoided.
What to expect from a chemical peel ?
Depending on the type of chemical peel employed, a reaction similar to sunburn may develop as a result of the procedure. Over the course of three to seven days, peeling usually begins with redness and develops to scaling. Mild peels can be done every one to four weeks until the desired effect is achieved.
Medium-depth and deep peeling, which may crack, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a seven to 14 day period, can cause swelling and blisters. Medium depth peels can be repeated every six to twelve months if necessary.
For several days after treatment, you may need bandages on part or all of the treated area.
How is a chemical peel done?
Deep peels are usually done in an outpatient surgery center, but chemical peels are usually done in the office. Your hair will most likely be tied back before the surgery. Your face will be washed or cleansed , and you may be given goggles or gauze to protect your eyes.
Light peel
During a mild peel, a chemical solution such as salicylic acid is applied to the treated area with a cotton ball, gauze, or brush. The skin will begin to whiten, and a mild stinging sensation may occur. The chemical solution will be removed or a neutralizing solution will be added once everything is done.
Medium peel
During a medium chemical peel, your doctor will apply the chemical solution to your face with gauze, a special sponge, or a cotton-tipped applicator. Trichloroacetic acid, sometimes known as blue peel, can have a blue hue added to it. Your doctor will apply a cool compress during the procedure to the skin as it begins to whiten. For up to 20 minutes, you may experience stinging or burning. If you’ve had the blue peel, you’ll notice a blue tint to your skin that will linger for many days.
Deep Peel:
The doctor will administer phenol to your skin using a cotton-tipped applicator. Your skin will become white or gray as a result of this. To restrict skin exposure to the acid, the operation will be done in 15-minute increments.
Chemical Peel at Home v/s at Salon - Cost & Benefits
Chemical Peels at Home:
Depending on the severity of the peel and your skin’s response, at-home peels can be used as frequently as daily to monthly. When using a new peel for the first time, however, you should only use it once a week (at most) to evaluate how your skin reacts.
Cost:
These at home peels cost around Rs.600 to Rs. 900
Benefits:
Those with extremely sensitive skin (eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea), as well as those who are actively utilizing a retinol in their daytime and/or nocturnal routines, should proceed with caution. Retinoids might make the skin more vulnerable and sensitive to irritating contact dermatitis symptoms include discomfort, stinging, burning, redness, excessive dryness, and peeling acne.
Chemical Peels at Salon
Chemical peels are skin rejuvenation treatments for the face, hands, and neck. They’re utilized to improve the appearance and feel of the skin. During this procedure, chemical solutions will be applied to the treated area, causing the skin to exfoliate and then eventually peel off.
Cost:
- A superficial chemical peel session can cost anywhere between ₹1,000 and ₹5,000.
- The cost of a medium depth chemical peel will be between ₹3,000 and ₹7,000.
- A deep chemical peel can cost anything between ₹5,000 and ₹9000.
Benefits:
- Collagen regrowth and healthy skin cells
- Hydration gets improved
- Fine creases and wrinkles were smoothed out.
- Reduces the appearance of skin flaws and scars on the surface.
Chemical peel aftercare for your skin
- The skin will be red, dry, and mildly irritated after a light chemical peel, though these effects may fade with each subsequent treatment. To soothe the skin, your doctor may apply a protective ointment such as petroleum jelly. Vitamin C serum after chemical peel can serve to be helpful.
- The skin will be red and puffy after a medium chemical peel. You’ll experience a stinging sensation. To soothe the region and prevent dryness, your doctor may apply a protective ointment such as petroleum jelly or vitamin C serum after chemical peel. You can conceal any redness with cosmetics after five to seven days.
- A surgical dressing will be applied to the area that has been treated by your doctor for recovery from swelling and other effects. The person may also recommend pain relievers. For around two weeks, bathe the afflicted skin and apply ointment several times a day.
Downsides of using chemical peel for skin
- Skin color changes: A chemical peel might potentially make treated skin darker or might turn your color lighter.
- Damage to the heart, kidneys, or liver: Carbolic acid is used in a thorough chemical peel, which can damage heart muscle and induce irregular heartbeats.
- Infection: chemical peels can possibly trigger a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, such as a herpes virus-caused cold sore outbreak.
- Scarring: A chemical peel can produce scarring on the bottom half of the face in rare cases.
Conclusion
At first, the benefits are mild, but they improve over time. After a medium chemical peel, the skin will be noticeably smoother. After a deep chemical peel, the appearance and feel of the treated areas will substantially improve. It effectively helps in peeling acne. The results may not be lasting. New wrinkles and skin color changes can occur as a result of age and new sun damage.
FAQs
Question: Who Is a Good Chemical Peel Candidate?
Answer: Fair-skinned and light-haired persons are more likely to benefit from chemical peels.
Question: Who should stay away from chemical peels?
Answer: If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor may advise you to avoid a chemical peel or specific types of chemical peels when you have taken isotretinoin in the last six months or have a personal or family history of ridged areas caused by scar tissue overgrowth.
