Chemical skin peels are treatments which use a solution to remove the dead layers of skin in order to unveil newer, younger and healthier skin underneath. Peels are great for targeting lines, wrinkles and rough skin as well as acne, inflammation, uneven tone and scarring. In this post, we will go through the different types of chemical skin peels available, which skin conditions are most responsive to peels and what the process involves.
How do chemical skin peels work?
As we’ve previously written, chemical skin peels are preparations which reaction that results in removing the layers of dead skin on the surface. The depth of the layer of skin reached by the peel depends on the type of chemical peel and its strength. By removing the layers of dead skin, chemical peel speed up the cell turnover process. This encourages the growth of new skin cells and stimulates collagen production. As a result, the newly unveiled skin has less evidence of ageing, wrinkles, sun damage, scarring and pigmentation.
The most common reasons people have chemical skin peels include lines and wrinkles, acne, uneven pigmentation, sun-damage, scarring and rough textured skin. Peels can treat the signs of ageing skin by giving smoother, softer and brighter skin. They can also be used to treat hypo or hyperpigmentation to give a more even skin complexion. Acne sufferers and those with spots, breakouts and clogged pores can benefit from chemical peels also. Peels can control and prevent outbreaks, reduce inflammation and clear as well as reduce the size of pores.
What type of chemical skin peels are available?
What does the treatment involve?
Chemical peel treatment should always start with a thorough consultation with your doctor. They can assess what type of treatment you need and ensure that its appropriate for your skin type. The treatment begins with cleansing the skin and using a skin prep to remove any oils from the skin. The peel will then be applied to your skin with gauze, a brush or cotton pad. It can be layered with the same type of peel or a different peel for synergy.
The peel is then left to work on your skin for a period of time determined by your doctor. This depends on the type of peel (e.g. glycolic acid peels can be left for a maximum of 5 minutes usually) and how your skin reacts to the peel. After that, the chemical peel is then neutralised to stop it working. Some peels self-neutralise and may be left on the skin for a few hours before removing.
Is there any downtime?
There is no downtime associated with superficial chemical peels like the low strength citric, mandelic and glycolic peels. As a result, these peels can be used as a quick “pick-me-up” for skin or as part of advanced clinical facials to give an instantly radiant dewy-looking skin. Deeper chemical peels like higher strength glycolic peels, Jessner’s and TCA peels are able to penetrate further into the skin. Hence the results are more impressive. The downside is that you may experience ongoing peeling for up to a week until the final result is visible.
Chemical peels can be a really effective treatment for ageing, scarred, acne prone or hyper/hypopigmented skin. These treatments can enhance the health and quality of your skin when performed by a trained doctor. Check out our chemical peels page for more information on how peels work, the conditions they treat and type of peels we provide. Also have a peek at our aesthetic treatments pages for more information about our bespoke skin treatments, anti-ageing injections and dermal fillers. If you’re not quite ready for a clinical peel, have a peek at our DIY peels guide for homemade natural peels that you can try.
