Peeling
Chemical peels non invasive procedure that involve the exfoliation of the top layer of skin using an acid. Its a solutions to loosen the top layer of skin (dead skin) causing it to shed. The process of controlled injury stimulates cells to produce collagen and elastin synthesis & restoring the skins texture, improving tone and evening out color.
The name Chemical peels can seem scary, but honestly due to their associated taint. Let’s unpack these common fears and bring some clarity to oh-so infamous chemical peel.
Does our famous Egyptian Queen Cleopatra used chemical peel?
Chemical peeling advanced exfoliation, used before more than 6000 years. Queen Cleopatra is believed to have used fruit acids and lactic acid from milk to maintain her beautiful complexion.
There are four types of chemical peel :
- Superficial peel or very light peel: which use mild acids like low potency alpha-hydroxy acid,Beta hydroxy acid and Tretinoin to gently exfoliate. It only penetrates the outermost layer of skin (stratum spinosum)
- Superficial Light peel : which uses TCA 20% , jessners solution and 70% glycolic acid to exfoliate through entire epidermis
- Medium peel : which uses 30%TCA or 70% glycolic acid plus 35% TCA, Jessners solution plus 35% TCA to reach the middle and outer layer of skin (upper reticular Dermis). This makes it more effective for removing damaged skin cells.
- Deep peel : which uses Baker – Gordon phenol peel to fully or TCA penetrate the middle layer of the dermis (mid reticular dermis) to remove damaged skin cells.
Benefits of Chemical Peeling
- Treats acne
- Treats hyperpigmentation or age spots
- Reduce fine lines & wrinkles
- Induce collagen production
- Removes dead skin cells thus revealing moon-lit glow
- Helps brightening of skin tone
- Improve skin texture & Tone
FAQ
Peeling of the skin is a natural process as skin totally renews itself every month. In fact we shed around 35,000 to 41,000 skin cells every hour – that’s around a million a day, or 3-6kg per year.
A chemical peel is usually a very safe procedure when performed by a qualified and experienced health care professionals.
But if you use at home peel without any medical supervision that can cause alot harm because Acids work by damaging tissue, if you apply excess acid or leave it on even for 5 more seconds, it can damage more tissue, which will result in burning of skin. The Deep peel have more possible side effects like burn, pigmentation, scarring & infection however it can be controlled in clinical settings. The number of the sittings can be assessed only by the Dermatologist based on skin check up test.
You will be surprised to know the derivatives of these Acids:
- Lactic peel derived from milk
- Glycolic peel derived from sugarcane
- Salicylic acid is derived from willow bark, wintergreen leaves and sweet birch
- Mandelic acid peels derived from winter almonds
Chemical peels are used for skin conditions such as:
- Acne
- Wrinkles
- Dry/oily skin
- Acne scars
- Redness
- Rosacea
- Hyperpigmentation / uneven skin tone
- Enlarged pores