As we age, the accumulated effects of sun exposure, pollutants, acne and scarring can damage our skin and cause us to look older than we are. Such skin damage can be treated with a chemical peel, a non-invasive procedure which involves the application of a chemical solution on the skin which removes the damaged outer layers of skin cells lightly exfoliating the skin to promote cell growth and allow a smoother, cleaner, healthier looking skin to appear. The procedure is helpful for facial blemishes, wrinkles, pre cancerous skin growths and even acne, melasme (a skin condition characterised by brown skin commonly found on the neck and face), even uneven skin pigmentation. Each formula can be adjusted to meet each patient’s needs. Chemical peels can be performed on the face, neck, chest, arms, hands and legs.

A chemical peel is not a substitute for surgery nor will it slow the ageing process, nor remove or reduce the size of the pores, deep scars. Wrinkled skin that is loose and saggy may need a surgical lift, laser resurfacing treatment or a combination of procedures to obtain the best results.

• To increase self confidence and enhance self image
• To give a more youthful appearance in a natural way
• To reduce the effects of ageing
• To treat the wrinkles that may be around the eyes and mouth
• To treat and remove marks that may have been left on the skin due to sun damage, pollutants, acne,
• To treat those with melsame (a skin condition characterised by irregularly shaped patches of brown skin commonly found on the face and neck
• To look younger and refreshed with a more healthy looking skin

The best candidates for chemical peels are those people:

• In good physical health
• Are psychologically stable
• Who have realistic goals
• Who do not smoke
• Unhappy with the appearance of wrinkles or brown spots, especially around mouth or eyes
• Free of active skin infections, including most kinds of acne
• Informed about the appropriate skin tone for the type of peel used
• Not taking Accutane, nor have taken it for the previous 18 months
• Free from large or unusual scar formations, such as keloids
• Willing to accept the limitations involved in the healing process
• Able to realistically stay out of direct sunlight for 3-6 months after the procedure

There are 3 types of peel, each works with a different procedure and produces different results, generally:

• Superficial Peel: Light peel (Alphahydroxy acids) (AHSs) such as glycom, salicylicacid (BHA), lactic or fruit acids produce peels that are mildest, takes 10 to 15 minutes. A quick and easy treatment in which no anaesthetic or sedative is used . This type of peell removes the outer layer of skin cells lightly exfoliating the skin to give a healthy glow. The face is cleansed and peel painted on and left for two to ten minutes. Mild stinging may occur. The peel is then washed off and neutralised. The skin will look pink afterwards and may show faint white discolouration or blotches which fade in one or two hours. Some flakiness, redness, dry skin or skin irritation may occur. These side effects diminish over time, once the body heals itself naturally and you can go straight back to normal daily life. The outer layer of skin will fall away. Patients are usually unable to participate in public activities the day after a peel. These type of peels can provide smoother brighter-looking skin for people who can’t spare the time to recover from a phenol ot TCA peel. The treatment should be repeated weekly for 4 weeks and the effect maintained with a monthly peel.

• Medium-depth Peel: (Trichloroacetic acid) is used for medium peel. This is generally used for patients with moderate sun damaged skin, surface wrinkles and for uneven tone or pigmentation.and generally takes 10-15 minutes. No anaesthetic is reqired as the solution itself has a numbing effect on the skin. The face is cleansed and the peel painted on the left on for approximately 10 minutes at first. At first the patient may feel warm or burning sensation followed by stinging which may last for an hour after treatment. No anaesthetic or sedative is required and is a medium depth peel. This penetrates further into the skin to reduce small wrinkles and acne scars, and to even out the colour and tone. The face is cleansed and peel applied evenly. The treated area turns whitish grey over several minutes. Cool saline compresses are then applied to neutralise the acid in the peel. Recovery takes a week or more, depending on how quickly you heal (older skin heals more slowly). In the five to six days after treatment, the skin may turn dark brown, with white streaks. It will itch and begin to peel, after which the skin is bright red, fading to fresh pink over the next three to six weeksSignificant swelling may occur depending on the potency of the chemical solution used. Normal activities can be resumed in approximately 7-10 days. After TCA peels some patients also have small outbreaks of small whiteheads called milia which are formed in obstructed facial glands. These will generally disappear but if they do not go a doctor may be needed to remove them. The treatment may be repeated monthly until you achieve the effect you want and then maintain it with a peel every 6-12 months.

Deep Peel (Phenol): Not widely available, Full face phenol peels take approximately 1 – 2 hours but small area phenol peels (such as on the upper lip) may take about 10-15 minutes and penetrates the lower dermal layer of the skin to remove or lessen deeper wrinkles, line and scars.(May also be used to treat pre-cancerous growths.) A deep peel should be treated with caution as it can cause permanent tightening of the skin. These peels are not recommended for most patients with very dark skin tones. An anesthetic is injected to freeze the face or you may also be sedated. The skin is cleansed and a strong peel applied and left on for around 30 minutes before being neutralised.After completing the procedure, the doctor may apply petroleum jelly or a waterproof dressing tape to the treated area. This covering will be left on for a day or two.

Patients often feel unwell after a deep peel, and experience moderate to severe pain lasting several days. The face swells in the first two days and it can be very itchy during the healing process. It takes around two weeks before the face is healed enough for you to be seen in public. Makeup may also be worn after 2 weeks.

One treatment can produce dramatic results and the effects last for 10 years.

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