Chemical Peels

Procedures
Face
Breast
Body
Hair
Non Surgical

Indications

  • To reduce fine lines and wrinkles around eyes and mouth
  • Acne
  • Photoaging
  • Improve dark patches eg. Melasma
  • Improve appearance of mild scars
  • Improve look and feel of the skin
  • Improve uneven skin tone
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What does the procedure achieve?

A Chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to achieve skin resurfacing. On application of the chemical peel the top layers of the skin are removed and the skin that grows back is smoother, less wrinkled and younger looking. It improves the look, feel and appearance of the skin.
Chemical peels are typically done on the face but can also be done for the neck and the hands.

Contra-Indications

Certain medicines like retinol will need to be stopped 48hrs prior to the procedure. In case of severe damage to the skin pre-peel preparation of the skin will be needed with lotions and sun protection 1-2 weeks before the peel.
Prophylactic Antivirals may be started if the doctor feels that there is a risk of herpes infection.
Stop waxing, epilating, facial scrubs and exfoliants a week before the peel.

Consultation

Once you decide you need a chemical peel you need to book a consultation with your Aesthetic Surgeon who will examine you and determine the appropriate peel according to your skin type and the condition of the skin. If you have any medical condition, taking any medications or have allergies you will have to inform your doctor.

Anaesthesia

Not needed most of time. Very rarely in Deep Phenol or TCA peels for resurfacing

Avoid any other skin treatments or excessive sun tanning for a week before the procedure.
The peel is an office procedure. The doctor will clean your skin thoroughly and apply the peel. After a certain time depending on the peel, the peel will be cleaned off or neutralised. 
Depending on the type of chemical peel a reaction similar to sunburn will occur. Redness followed by scaling.
Superficial peels there may be mild redness and burning which will settle in 3-7 days. These peels may be repeated at 1-4 week intervals to achieve the desired result. 
Medium depth peels may cause more redness and burning which will gradually settle in 7-10 days as skin resurfacing takes place. 
Deep peels cause more injury to the skin. There will be significant desquamation. Post peel dressings with a paraffin gauze dressing may be needed. 
Medium and deep peels have a longer downtime but the results are long lasting.
Post peel need to avoid sun-exposure. Sun protection should be used as recommended by the doctor. Lotions and creams must be used only as prescribed.
Post deep peels dressings may be needed as recommended by the doctor.

Side Effects

- Redness, dryness, stinging and burning are common but they are temporary and settle with little or no treatment

- Darkening and lightening of the skin- this is more common with darker skin and deeper peels, hence selection of appropriate peels according to skin type is very important

- Scarring may be seen with deeper peels.

- Infections like exacerbation of Herpes Simplex. Inform your doctor if there is any previous history so appropriate prophylactic anti-viral medications can be started to prevent this.

- Very rarely deep phenol peels can cause heart, liver or kidney damage if not used appropriately so caution required. Inform your doctor of any medical history

FAQs

The chemical peels are differentiated according to the depth of the injury to the skin. The ultimate result and downtime after treatment depends on the type of chemical peel used

- Superficial peels cause injury to epidermis and superficial papillary dermis. They are used in the treatment of mild photoaging, acne, pigmentary dyschromias. Multiple treatments weekly or monthly may be required to achieve the desired result. The downtime with superficial peels is less

- Medium peels cause injury to epidermis and deep papillary dermis. They are indicated for treatment of mild to moderate photodamage, rhytids. Downtime is longer.

- Deep peels cause injury to mid reticular dermis. It is indicated for resurfacing in severe photodamage and deep wrinkles. There is an extended period needed for healing.

When conducted by a well trained and certified Plastic Surgeon chemical peels are exceptionally safe.
It is essential to follow your doctors instruction carefully.