Are you worried about acne scars, sun spots, and fine lines on your skin? You may have heard of a treatment called a 'chemical peel.' It's been talked about on TV and social media, so many people want to try it. But what is it really? Is it right for you? Let's talk about it clearly and concisely today.
What is this Chemical Peel?
Simply put, a chemical peel is a treatment that uses a special chemical solution to beautify and improve the appearance of your skin.
What happens is that a specialist applies this chemical solution to your skin. This causes controlled injury to the top layers of your skin. Think of it like peeling off old skin and replacing it with new skin. In a few days, the old skin is peeled off, revealing younger, smoother, and brighter skin underneath. The new skin is less wrinkled, has the same color, and is brighter than before.
What kind of things can be relieved with a chemical peel?
Chemical Peel treatment is mainly used to treat certain skin problems and improve the appearance of the skin. This treatment is most often performed on the face, neck, and hands. Below are some of the main problems that can be relieved by this treatment.
| Skin problem | The benefit |
|---|---|
| Fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth | Reduces wrinkles caused by sun, aging, and genetics. |
| Some types of acne | Controls acne and clears the skin. |
| Light scars | Superficial scars, such as those caused by acne, fade away. |
| Uneven complexion and spots | Sun spots, age spots, and uneven skin tone look the same. |
| Dark spots (Melasma) caused by pregnancy or birth control pills | It reduces the discoloration of these spots and brightens the skin. |
| Actinic Keratosis (Coral-like spots that can turn into cancer) | It helps to eliminate such pre-cancerous conditions. |
| Rough, scaly, dull skin | Makes the skin smooth, radiant and healthy looking. |
But remember, a chemical peel is not very effective for sagging skin, deep scars, and very deep wrinkles. For things like that, you may need to consider other cosmetic surgical procedures. You can talk to your dermatologic surgeon about that and choose the best solution.
Is this treatment suitable for everyone?
A superficial peel can generally be performed on any skin type.
However, if you have a darker skin tone, you need to be a little more careful . Because sometimes there is a small risk of the skin becoming darker after treatment (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). So if you have dark skin, it is better to talk to your doctor about this and consider another treatment method that is less risky.
Also, a chemical peel is not recommended if you have the following conditions:
- If you have a history of unusual scarring .
- If your scars have extra coloring.
- If you have a medical condition or are taking medication that makes your skin extremely sensitive.
- If you cannot completely avoid the sun during the healing period after treatment.
What types of chemical peels are there?
There are 3 main types of chemical peels. They depend on the strength of the chemical used and how deep it penetrates the skin. Depending on your skin condition and the results you want, you and your doctor will choose the type of peel that is best for you.
| Peel type | Description and who is suitable? | Recovery time |
|---|---|---|
| Light Peel (superficial peel) | Only the outermost layer of the skin is removed. It is good for fine lines, acne, and uneven skin tone. It gives the skin a healthy glow. Also called a "lunchtime peel." | From a few hours to 2-3 days. No major downtime required. |
| Medium Peel | Removes the top layer of skin and the top part of the middle skin layer. Leaves skin looking fresh and smooth. Best for medium-sized wrinkles, acne scars, and age spots. | A week or more. You will need a few days of downtime. |
| Deep Peel | Provides the most powerful results. Affects the lower middle layer of the skin. Suitable for medium wrinkles, severely sun-damaged skin, deep acne scars, and pre-cancerous conditions. | It takes time to heal. Up to 8 weeks of pre-treatment is required. Significant downtime is required. It is done on the face only once in a lifetime. |
How do you prepare before treatment?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions before a chemical peel. Here are some general things to prepare for.
- Completely stop sun exposure and tanning two weeks before treatment.
- Use the creams (e.g. those containing hydroquinone) exactly as prescribed by your doctor to prepare your skin.
- Unless your doctor advises otherwise, stop using products containing retinoids (e.g., Tretinoin) a week or two before treatment.
- If you have been prescribed oral antibiotics or antiviral medications, start them at least 24 hours before treatment.
- There should be no open wounds, scratches, or infections in the treatment area.
What to expect after treatment?
What happens after the treatment will vary depending on the type of peel you had.
After a Light Peel
- You can expect some redness and peeling of the skin, similar to sunburn. This can last between 3 and 7 days.
- Apply the lotion or cream prescribed by the doctor until the skin heals.
- It is essential to use sunscreen every day after healing.
- You can apply makeup after the treatment or the day after.
After a Medium Peel
- Expect redness, swelling, inflammation, and peeling of the skin. Swelling may increase for up to 48 hours .
- The blisters may appear and burst. The skin will peel off in 7 to 14 days.
- Cleanse (soak) the skin daily as directed by the doctor. Then apply the prescribed ointment.
- Do not expose yourself to the sun until completely healed.
- You will need to take antiviral medication for 10-14 days.
After a Deep Peel
- The treated area is covered with bandages. These are removed after a few days.
- Expect 14 to 21 days to heal.
- You should cleanse your skin daily and apply the ointment as directed by your doctor.
- You should completely protect yourself from the sun for 3 to 6 months .
- You need to wait at least 14 days before using makeup.
Whatever the treatment, to get the best results, your new skin is very delicate. So it's very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and to use sunscreen every day.
Take-Home Message
- A chemical peel is not a simple cosmetic treatment, it is a medical procedure . Therefore, it should only be performed by a qualified physician.
- Talk to your doctor about whether this treatment is right for you, what type is appropriate, what the risks are, and how long the recovery time will be.
- Following the doctor's instructions carefully after treatment is essential to achieve good results and avoid complications.
- It is imperative to use sunscreen after treatment, otherwise your new, delicate skin may be damaged and scars may appear.
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