Chemical Peels are the most frequently performed procedure in a Dermatologists clinic. It is a simple cosmetic treatment with multiple therapeutic benefits. Ease & safety of the chemical peel treatment & minimal downtime makes it hugely popular. It Improves the quality time & texture of the skin.
1. What is Chemical Peel?
A Chemical Peel is a medicated preparation which is applied on the skin for a specific period of time & then removed. The Chemical Peel Can be a gel/solution or a cream. It causes gradual exfoliation of the upper layers of the skin & induces a controlled inflammation. This results in removal of dead skin cells & triggers a process of healing, ultimately the tone & texture of the skin improve.
2. What are the different types of chemical peel?
Chemical Peel can be a superficial medium on deep peels. This is determined by the depth & degree of exfoliation produced.
Superficial peels are extremely safe & suited for most of the skin tones. Eg:- 30% Glycolic acid, 10-15% TCA, 20% Salicylic acid etc.
Medium peels are associated under greater exfoliation & longer down time & need a stricter after care regime. Eg:- 35% TCA 50-70% Glycolic acid.
Superficial & Medium Chemical Peel offer benefits for a wide variety of skin problems.
Deep peels are generally not preferred in Indian skin as the chances of side effects are high in photo type. Eg:- Phenol peels. 100% TCA as spot treatment can be used for acne scars.
Chemical Peel can comprise a single agent. Often to improve the therapeutic benefit a combination of agents are used in the same formulation. These combination peels are especially useful in treating acne with marks & scars, pigmentation issues like melasma.
Two different types of Chemical Peel are also done subsequently one after the other to enhance exfoliation or sometimes a chemical peel is done after a procedure like crystal microdermabrasion.
3. What are the agents used for chemical peels?
Alpha & Beta hydroxy acid are the most compulsory used peeling agents in routine practice. Other agents are TCA, phenli compounds, alpha hydroxy acid are deviates & natural products. Eg:- Glycolic acid from sugarcane, lactic actic from milk, mandelic acid from almonds. Active ingredients like Hydroquinone & Tranexemi acid are used as additives in chemical peels to give more therapeutic benefit.
4. Who is an ideal candidate for a chemical peel?
Anyone wishing to have a more refreshed appearance can undergo a Chemical Peel. At Nypunya a wide variety of Chemical Peel are available with multiple skin issues can be addressed & these peels can be done in most skin types.
-Mild glycolic acid peels are excellent in getting rid of sun tan.
-Salicylic & Azalic acid based peels are good for oily skin, comedonal acne, moderate to severe inflammatory acne.
-TCA & Retinol peels are good for improvements of acne marks & shallow scars.
-Lactic acid, glycolic pyrvie acid peels are good in improving tone & texture of dull, lustless skin.
-A variety of single agent & combination chemical peels are useful in tackling, blotchy, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
-Chemical peels on the face also improve open pores,redness, fine lines & wrinkles, sun spots & age spots.
It is an effective anti aging tool as well.
5. Are chemicals peels done only for the face?
While the majority seek face chemical peel treatment other body areas as well can be addressed too. At Nypunya we have specialized peels available for under eye, dark circles. Special lip lightening peels are available to cover the lip darkening tat occurs due to smoking and constant lip biting. Peels can be done for sensitive areas for lightening of under arms & inner thighs too.
-Body peels are helpful in addressing dyspigmentation issues and frictional melanosis that are usually seen on the back, arms, legs.
-Glycolic peels are very effective in getting rid of body tan after break holding & dark feet due to sun tan.
-Certain medium depth peels like TCA are effective in stretch marks treatment especially for sythematons & pigmented striae.
6. What are the benefits of a chemical peel?
Chemical Peel helps to improve the quality & texture & tone of the skin. It makes the skin appear brighter & lighter.
7. How do I prepare for a chemical peel?
At Nypunya our Dermatologists evaluate the patient’s skin & decide which peel would suit their indication & skin type. Prior application of sunscreen and night cream containing an exfoliating agent like glycolic acid or kojic And azelaic acid is prescribed to prime & prepare the skin for the procedure. The priming & preparing regime helps to improve the efficiency of the peel & reduces the chances of any unwanted effect.
8. How is a chemical peel performed?
Prior performing & preparation of skin is advisable. The skin is cleansed & degassed with appropriate agents. This removes the sweat, accumulated dirt & sebum from your skin. The sensitive areas like the under eye area, corners of the nose & mouth are protected by application of moisturiser. At Nypunya for the face cotton bud application is preferred to apply the peel. In gentle deft strokes the peel is applied starting from the periphery to the centre of the face taking care not to overlap. For body peels brushes are used. Sometimes more than one coat is applied. After a certain dalmatian of time (set by the times) the peel is neutralized with water and the face is renised off the peel can also be removed if end points like redness, frosting are reached. Following the removal of the peel we may apply sunscreen and the sunscreen application is mandatory.
9. Do chemical peels hurt?
It is a painless & comfortable procedure superficial & medium chemical peel can cause a mild stinging & burning sensation post application. Itching can also occur. These symptoms are extremely mild & very well tolerated by all.
10. Are chemical peels safe?
Chemical Peel is extremely safe. Most peels are deviated from natural extracts. At Nypunya our Dermatologist will first evaluate the patient. Peel preparations of good quality with standard PH Value used at Nypunya. Those with extremely sensitive skin often labelled s stringers & smarters May not tolerate the mildest of solution peels. A gel based peel will be preferable to them. Though putic acid is a safe hydrating peel rarely it can cause sensitivity in certain patients. Chemical peels are extremely safe when done under the supervision of an expert Dermatologist. When done properly untoward effects like burns are extremely rare.
11. What To expect after a chemical peel?
The skin will feel a little dry after a peel.
-After 1-3 days there can be more visible exfoliation, fine dandruff like peeling which can continue for another 2-3 days. At the end of the exfoliation process the skin glows having improved in tone & texture.
-The exfoliation may not be very evident in considering superficial gel based peels. However the dead skin cells do get removed & new cells form to give a fresh & bright appearance.
After certain peels brown spots can appear that tend to exfoliate and peel off revealing the new skin underneath mild redness and roughness can own after a peel which subsides with in a few days.
12. What is the after care to be taken?
- Skin is dry & sensitive after a chemical peel as it is exfoliating.
- Application of appropriate moisturiser is necessary and an anti inflammatory cream is often prescribed to be applied post peel for 2-3days. This reduces the redness too.
- Sunscreen application is mandatory; it is to be repeated every 3-4 hours in case of separate stepping out.
- A gentle skin cleanser is to be based for washing the face. Harsh toners, scrubs are to be avoided.
- Home remedies, steaming of the face, abrasive procedures are to be avoided for upto a week after the peel has been performed.
- The medicated products a the active ingredients that the patient was otherwise using prior to the peel has to be temporarily stopped for 3-4days & then can be resumed after the exfoliation process stops.
13. Can Chemical Peel go wrong?
There have been umpteen instances where untrained professionals have done chemical peels that have resulted in skin burns, scarring, permanent pigmentation problems, long standing symptoms..
Though it appears a very simple procedure any error in assessment, kind of peel chosen & faulty application of the peel can result in side effects. For example:- A superficial peel when applied in multiple coats a left on the skin for a longer defamation to time can act like a deep peel.
14.How frequently can chemical peels be performed?
If the peel is done for just a refreshed appearance then a single session will help., but if the peel is being done for addressing a skin issue like acne on pigmentation problems the usually 4-6 sessions are required. These sessions are done at an interval of about 2-4weeks.
After the series of sessions are completed, maintenance sessions once in 3-6 months can be done to maintain the results & keep the skin in a healthy condition. It is also an excellent & scientific alternative.
15. Chemical Peel at home?
There are many spurious products advertised on the internet as home based peels.
As mentioned before when not used by an expert the peel can act as a causti agent producing untoward effects. It is best that the dermatologist asses your skin type & decides which peel suits your skin type & divides which peel suits your skin even for a home based peel