Chemical Peels – Types, Risks and Recovery

Overview  

The skin plays a significant role in how the body normally functions and greatly affects the look of a person.

Ageing and excessive sun exposure contribute to wrinkles, scars, pigmentation and uneven skin tones.

Who wouldn’t prefer clear and flawless skin? Although being confident in one’s own skin is important, there are options to combat the imperfections in the skin for those who prefer to have an even skin tone.

There are various skin treatments available that can assist in treating skin disorders. One such treatment is the chemical peel.

Chemical peels are highly good at reducing the prevalence of different skin disorders and blemishes. Routine treatments render improved skin even though the results are not long-lasting.

Chemical peeling has advanced and is far more effective in recent times.  

Glycolic acid, salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid are some of the active ingredient dermatologists employ to remove the damaged top layers of skin.  

These compounds produce outstanding benefits in terms of reducing wrinkles and frown lines, skin whitening, and toning.  

Chemical peels are one of the simplest yet efficient ways to repair sun damage. They carry a low threat of severe consequences and are generally safe.

What is a chemical peel?  

A chemical peel is a process for enhancing the look and the texture of the skin on the hands, neck or face. A chemical solution is applied on the skin, which causes it to exfoliate and finally peel off. Usually, the newly developed skin is smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Moreover, the new skin is temporarily more sun sensitive.

Types of chemical peels  

Light peel  

Those who can’t spend a lot of time at home during downtime should consider this treatment. Over time, a series of gentle chemical peel treatments produce slow but noticeable changes. The frequency of these treatments will be decided by the doctor based on the state of the skin.

A light chemical peel is best for those who want to reduce the appearance of acne, wrinkles, fine lines, the impacts of sun exposure and uneven skin tone. Weaker peels, such as fruit acid and AHA peels, are employed as acids for a light chemical peel.

A major benefit of chemical peels is that patients won’t have patches or bright red skin. The skin tone will only appear slightly pink or reddish.

Medium peel

The medium chemical peel treatment requires more downtime than light chemical peels but is appropriate for skin issues that need a high-intensity treatment. Medium chemical peeling does not require regular or routine treatments.

It is best to use medium chemical peels to treat hyperpigmentation, severe sun damage, and mild to moderate wrinkles.

Most of the acidic solutions used with medium chemical peels are similar to those used with light chemical peels, with the exception that these solutions have a higher concentration.

The skin will become red, puffy, and occasionally blistering since highly concentrated chemicals are used. One must follow certain post-care measures to reduce these effects and restore the skin to a normal state.

Deep peels

The effects of deep chemical peels are superior to those of light and medium peels. They are helpful in enhancing skin brightness, enhancing skin texture and reducing the harsh effects of the sun on the skin and wrinkles around the mouth.

Dark-skinned people run the risk of having uneven skin tones. Therefore, this is safer for patients with lighter skin tones.

The chemical of choice for a deep chemical peel is phenol. Since phenol is a chemical that is highly concentrated, it is typically only applied to the face because the skin on the neck and hands is much more delicate.

Blisters and a prominent dark red skin tone will be there post-procedure. The downtime for deep chemical peels is high compared to the other types.

Chemical peel procedure  

Chemical peels involve consulting with a dermatologist prior to the peel. The doctor will enquire about the overall health and way of life, such as whether the patient tends to scar easily or take acne treatment.

Also, it is important to let the doctor know if the patient has cold sores on the lips. While getting a medium or deep peel, the doctor might recommend an antiviral drug.

A chemical peel is an outpatient procedure. Some people must adhere to a 2- to 4-week precautionary period before receiving skin peel treatment, which produces better results.

First, the skin will be washed to get rid of any makeup, dirt and oil that may be on the face. The chosen chemical is then administered for a further 3 to 7 minutes. Distilled water or a certain neutraliser will neutralise the peel.

The patient feels a mild burning sensation on the skin once the peel is applied. With the length of the peel, this might get worse. The burning sensation will start to reduce towards the end. The person will be instructed to apply ice packs once the peel has been neutralised.

Advantages of chemical peel  

Chemical peels can increase the sense of confidence and self-worth by bringing out the natural beauty of the skin.  

The peel can reduce some of the wrinkles, age spots, acne, acne scars, and freckles, depending on how severe they are. The peel can reduce some ageing-related wrinkles, including tiny lines around the mouth and eyes.  

A chemical peel can also help with mild scarring and some forms of acne. The best feature of a chemical peel is the overall regenerated appearance of the skin after the peel. The peel removes the layer of wrinkled, dull, dry skin, giving it a younger, fresher appearance.

A chemical peel is not a one-time procedure that will eliminate every mild flaw the skin has, and it is not intended to cure severe skin disorders, scarring, sagging or deep wrinkles.

Who requires chemical peels?  

The face, neck or hands are the most typical areas for chemical peels. They can reduce

• Mild scars
• Wrinkling from sun damage
• Fine lines around the eyes or around the lips
• Certain types of acne
• Scaly spots, uneven skin tone and rough skin
• Freckles, age spots, sunspots and asymmetry in the skin’s pigment.
• Actinic keratosis, which is scaly, precancerous lesions.
• Melasma is caused by pregnancy or using birth control pills.

Who should stay away from chemical peels?  

While chemical peels can be quite effective on many skin types, not everyone is an ideal candidate for this cosmetic procedure.  

There must be realistic expectations from the patients. Patients should be aware that chemical peels do not reduce the size of pores, do not remove deep scars and carry a risk of skin discolouration following the procedure. Also, individuals with darker skin tones must know that the risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) is higher and that the changes in the skin could be long-lasting.

A person with the following issues is not advised to have a chemical peel.

• Sunburn
• Infections
• Cuts or skin damage
• Severe or frequent breakouts of cold sores  
• Eczema
• Rosacea
• Psoriasis
• Dermatitis
• An active skin conditions

Also, the procedure is not safe for women who are expecting or breastfeeding, use prescription skin care products, or have recently used bleach or products with acids. Speak with a doctor about the options if there is the presence of any of the symptoms indicated above and require a chemical peel.

Are chemical peels painful?  

The pain from light and medium chemical peels is minimal, but many patients report some stinging during or after the procedure, similar to a sunburn.  

The sedative and local anaesthetic is given prior to the procedure to help manage pain for deeper peels. A tingling or stinging sensation on the skin is common during a chemical peel but usually subsides quickly. Deeper peels could make the skin feel hot for a short while.

The skin may appear red for the first roughly 24 hours following the chemical peel. Depending on the severity of the peel, it is advisable to have a three- to four-day downtime that includes refraining from using harsh products.

Care for skin after a chemical peel

One should always adhere to the skincare regimen recommended by a dermatologist since it will be specifically formulated for the skin type and condition and will aid in the healing process after a chemical peel.

Sun protection is important after a peel because the skin may be more exposed to the sun and prone to sun damage if a layer has just been removed.

Ice packs, the wind from a fan, and over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can be used to relieve discomfort. The skin will start to produce a crust as the swelling is treated and may darken or develop brown spots.  

It is common to experience extreme redness, swelling, burning, throbbing and eyelid swelling after a deep chemical peel.

For deeper peels, the treated skin may be covered with a waterproof dressing. Slightly reclining while sleeping may also help to reduce swelling.

After a deep chemical peel, the treated areas will produce new skin in about two weeks, while redness may persist for months and cysts or white patches may persist for several weeks.  

The affected skin may lose its ability to tan or turn darker or lighter than usual. Cosmetics can be used to hide any redness until the treated region is entirely covered by new skin. This takes about two weeks.

Are the effects temporary or permanent?

Since our skin continues to age and change, the results of any chemical peel are only temporary. A person will develop lines over time by smiling and squinting. New sun damage can undo progress and change the colour of the skin.

The depth of penetration also affects the results. Although deep peels may only need one treatment and have benefits that last for years, it is generally advised to keep up maintenance peels to maintain results.  

A superficial peel can be performed as frequently as once per month, and it may take up to six sessions to achieve the desired results.

Side effects and risks of chemical peels  

Most adverse effects of chemical peels are minimal. A patient might notice

• Dryness
• Mild swelling
• Redness or a colour difference
• Burning or stinging.

Chemical peels are generally risk-free. Nonetheless, there are some possible effects.  

Side effects consist of:

Scars – Temporary and permanent scarring are possible.

Pigmentation – Peels can make the skin lighter or darker. Those with darker skin tones experience this more frequently.

Organ issues – Some deep peels employ the use of phenol. The substance may harm the liver, kidneys or heart. Irregular heartbeats may also result from it.

Herpes – A peel could cause a blister breakout for a person with herpes simplex.

Conclusion  

Chemical peels are a type of cosmetic surgery. With a chemical peel, an acid solution is applied to the face and left for a few minutes. The solution is then neutralised. It removes the upper layer of the skin, which stimulates healing and stimulation while eliminating dead skin cells before growth and regeneration.