Chemical Skin Peel FAQ

What is a Medical Chemical Skin Peel ?

Chemical peeling is essentially an accelerated form of exfoliation induced by the use of a chemical agent used to improve the appearance of the skin. For dull, lifeless skin it can reduce age spots and reduce hyper-pigmentation and bring back some vitality . However, chemical peels are not only used to remove layers of the skin, but also to induce collagen formation in the dermis, as antibacterial agents, as regulators of sebaceous gland function and as bleaching agents.

Many conditions can be dramatically improved by being treated with chemical peels. These include: acne, acne scars, lines and wrinkles, photo ageing, greasy skin, localized hyper-pigmentation(lentigo - age spots) and melasma.

How many types of chemical skin peels are there?

There are various types of skin peels which are divided into: Very superficial peels,Superficial skin peel, Medium skin peels & Deep peel

Which chemical skin peel and when?

Choosing the correct type of chemical skin peel for each patient is the most important step. The choice depends on many factors such as: skin type, age, condition to be treated and degree of the condition, realistic expectations of the patient, philosophy of sun exposure.

for darker skin types (III-VI) (asian skin and black skin) with very low risk of side effects
for greasy skin
to improve skin texture, to make the skin "glow"
for mild papulo-pustular acne
for comedonic acne
for hyperpigmentation in dark skin individuals
for mild acne scars

Superficial skin peels:

for papulo-pustular acne
mild to moderate photoagieng
mild to moderate line and wrinkles
melasma
lentigo (age spots)
moderate acne scars

Medium Chemical skin peels:

melasma
lentigo
moderate to severe photoagieng
moderate acne scars
lentigo (age spots)

Deep Chemical peels:

severe acne scars
severe lines and wrinkles

Are chemical skin peels painful?

Very superficial and superficial peels are slightly uncomfortable but not painful. There is slight stinging and burning sensation that ceases as soon as the peel is neutralized. Medium chemical peels cause a quite intense burning and stinging sensation for 2-5 minutes that ceases once the peel is neutralized. Deep chemical skin peels instead require local anesthetic with sedation and are performed in an operating theatre sometimes one-day hospitalisation.

How long does it take to complete the treatment?

The duration of the skin peel itself varies from very few minutes (2-5 minutes) to one and a half hours.

How often should a chemical skin peel be performed?

The number of sessions depends on the type and severity of the condition to be treated.

Can chemical skin peels be used in dark skin?

Yes we can use chemical peels on dark skin individuals. Very superficial and superficial peels have a very low the risk of transitory hyperpigmentation. However, patients with dark skin must bare in mind that when their skin goes dry it often becomes darker. Therefore they must expect a slight darkening and patchiness of the skin for 5-7 days after the peel. Medium and deep peels may be performed on dark skin individuals in some cases it is neccessary to prime the skin 14 days before with bleaching creams to prevent the riskoftransitory hyperpigmentation.

Do significant after-effects occur after the treatment with chemical peels?

After very superficial and superficial peels the skin is pink for a few hours. The skin then becomes dry and exfoliates during the following 5-7 days.
After medium peels the skin is pink for 1-2 days then becomes violaceous-tanned for 2 days and on the 4th-5th day the exfoliation begins and lasts for max 10 days.
After deep peels the skin will be red and the area might be swollen for 2 days. On the 2nd or 3rd day the skin will become violaceous-tanned for 2 days and on the 4th-5th day the exfoliation begins and lasts for max 10 days.

What is important during the post-peel period?

It is very important to follow the post peel instructions.
It is also very important not to pick the skin and tear it. Reduced sun-exposure for 2 weeks up to 2 months according to the depth of the peel.

What are the risks and the complications of this treatment?

Chemical peeling is normally very safe. However, it is a delicate procedure, complications (such as hyperpigmentation, flushing, infections and scars) are rare but may occur and can be easily resolved if the situation is closely followed up.

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