Chemical Peels: Revitalizing Radiance

Introduction:

Skin gets damaged by many factors like pollutants, poor diet, lifestyle, aging, ultraviolet light from the sun, acne, etc. These factors damage the skin by causing wrinkles, uneven skin tone, age spots, blemishes, and scars. Chemical peels are suitable for correcting certain imperfections in the skin.

What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are cosmetic procedures that are used to enhance the appearance of the skin and treat some skin diseases. In this procedure, a chemical solution is used to remove the damaged outermost layer of the skin to enhance the skin texture and tone. This procedure is predominantly used for the face but can be used for the neck and hands as well. Chemical peels can show improvement in the following skin conditions:

• Acne scars.

• Wrinkles.

• Fine lines

• Uneven skin tone.

• Rough skin.

• Scaly patches.

• Acne.

• Photoaging (sun-damaged skin).

However, chemical peels cannot improve certain skin conditions. These conditions are listed below:

• Deep scars.

• Deep wrinkles.

• Deep facial lines.

• Tightening of remarkably sagging skin.

Who Cannot Go for Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are not for everyone. There are some conditions where chemical peels can not be done. These conditions are listed below:

• If a patient has a history of abnormal skin scarring in the past.

• Patients have naturally dark skin tones.

• Patients have a tendency to develop pigmentation of the scars more than usual.

• Patients who have undergone acne treatment in the previous year.

• Those skin conditions or medications render the skin unusually sensitive.

• Pregnant women.

• Chemical Peels Cost: Chemical peels are not very expensive. Its cost varies according to the skin condition, experience, qualification of the clinician, and the number of sessions required. It is charged per session. The price range may vary according to the city too.

What Are the Risks of Chemical Peels?

Although chemical peel treatment is considered safe, there may be some rare risks. These risks are listed below:

• Infections can occur in some patients.

• There is a risk of scarring in a few patients.

• There are chances of developing a transient or permanent alteration in the skin tone in patients with specific skin types. These alterations in the skin could be lightening or darkening.

• There is a risk of developing abnormal pigmentation in patients who take hormone medications or have a positive family history of brownish discoloration on the areas like the face or by the healing process after the scar.

• Chemical peels can reactivate herpes in patients who previously had herpes (cold sore).

• Patients having a history of keloid or thickened scars should avoid chemical peels.

How Do Chemical Peels Work?

Chemical peels work by removing the outermost and damaged layer of skin by applying a chemical solution to the skin. Chemical peels can vary depending on how deep the chemical penetrates the skin. The three types of chemical peels are:

• Light chemical peels.

• Medium chemical peels.

• Deep chemical peels.

What Are Light Chemical Peels?

This chemical peel works superficially and is indicated for uneven skin tone, fine lines or wrinkles, acne, and skin dryness. In this procedure, the epidermis layer of skin (the outermost layer) is removed gently by exfoliation, giving the skin a healthy glow.

The chemicals used in light chemical peels for gentle skin exfoliation are a combination of alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, and maleic acid. These chemicals are considered very mild on the skin.

Light Chemical Peels Treatment:

• The first step of the procedure is the cleansing of the face.

• The second step is the application of the chemical solution on the skin. After the application is left on the skin for a few minutes, this procedural step gives a stinging sensation.

• The third step is washing off the chemical solution and its neutralization.

Risks Involved With Light Chemical Peels:

After light chemical peels, some side effects can occur, which are listed below:

• Redness of the skin.

• Irritation.

• Flaking of skin.

• Stinging sensation on the skin.

• There are chances of hyperpigmentation after this procedure due to sun exposure. It is advisable to use sunscreen to protect the skin after that.

• In very few cases, an infection can occur.

However, these side effects fade away with the repetition of the procedure as light chemical peels have to be repeated after a regular interval of time to achieve a healthy glow.

What Are Medium Chemical Peels?

Medium chemical peels are indicated for acne scars, uneven skin tone, and deep wrinkles. The chemicals used in this procedure remove the damaged epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) and the upper part of the dermis (middle layer of the skin). This procedure must also be repeated like a light chemical peel to achieve the desired results.

The chemicals used in this procedure are glycolic acid, Jessner's solution, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

Medium Chemical Peels Treatment:

• The procedure starts with cleansing the face first.

• After that, the chemical solution is applied to the skin and allowed to be there for a few minutes. A burning or stinging sensation might occur during this step.

• The application area may become whitish-gray.

• After that, the neutralization of chemicals is done by applying cool compresses of saline.

• After this procedure, the skin may become red or brown. The peeling process begins within 48 hours of the treatment and lasts one week.

• Moisturizing the skin during the process of peeling helps in skin hydration.

Risks Involved With Medium Chemical Peels:

• The skin will appear sunburned after this procedure.

• Some color changes in the skin will appear.

• Strict protection from sun exposure with sunscreen is advised after this procedure.

• Hyperpigmentation may occur.

• Permanent scarring may occur.

• In some patients, prolonged redness of the skin may occur.

What Are Deep Chemical Peels?

Deep chemical peel treatment is indicated for treating deep wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, scars, and precancerous growth. Unlike light and medium chemical peel, this procedure penetrates deeper skin layers and the lower dermal layer. Therefore, this procedure need not be repeated to get the desired results.

The chemical used for this procedure is phenol. The skin is prepared eight weeks before the treatment to prepare the skin for deep peeling and speed up the healing process. The skin is prepared by applying retinoic acid cream or gel, which reduces the thickness of the surface layer of the skin and makes it thinner.

Deep Chemical Peels Treatment:

This procedure is done under local anesthesia to numb the skin and makes the procedure comfortable for the patient.

• Cleansing of the face is done after applying anesthesia.

• Phenol is applied and kept for a few minutes on the skin.

• Neutralization of phenol is done with water.

• As it penetrates deeper into the skin, treated skin protection is done by applying a thick coat of ointment or strips of medicated gauze.

Risks Involved With Deep Chemical Peels:

There are some potential risks involved with this treatment which are listed below:

• Skin can become lightened, and the newly formed skin is more susceptible to tanning.

• The chemical used in this treatment poses a risk for heart patients.

• Sun protection is a must after this procedure.

• After deep chemical peels, patients take two weeks to recover.

• The patient will experience peeling, skin redness, crusting, and discomfort for a few weeks after this treatment.

• Painkillers are given to comfort the patient.

• Swelling will last up to two weeks.

• Redness of the skin will last up to three months.

• The results from chemical peels are noticeable and long-lasting, lasting for about ten years.

How Often Should Chemical Peels Be Done?

• Light chemical peels should be done every two to five weeks. In addition, three to five sessions of light chemical peels will be required to get the desired results.

• Medium chemical peels should be done after six months or as the dermatologist recommends.

• Deep chemical peels need not be repeated to get the desired results as their results last up to a decade. It should be done only once.

Conclusion:

Chemical peels effectively remove the damaged and dead outer layer of skin to get a rejuvenated and healthy glow. It treats skin conditions like acne, scars, wrinkles, fine lines, precancerous growth, photoaging skin, etc. The patient should follow the dermatologist's instructions to choose the appropriate type of chemical peels (light, medium, deep) for their skin condition and sustain post-operative care to achieve and maintain the desired results.