Chemical Peel: A Guide To The Effective Skin Treatment

Chemical peeling is a treatment that smoothens and improves the texture of our skin. The chemical peel treatment is done on facial skin to treat various issues like scars, hyperpigmentation, dark circles, skin whitening, and many more. To bring this into effect, chemical peels remove the outermost layers of our skin.

The chemical face peel, kind of, injures the facial skin to regenerate the new tissues. It helps in skin resurfacing, skin whitening, lets the dead skin peel off, and the resultant skin is younger-looking than the older one. There are ‘n’ types of chemical peels but every type is not suited to everyone.

Let’s take a sneak peek into the major types of chemical peels based on ingredients–

1. α-hydroxy acid peels

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are carboxylic acids that are naturally occurring such as glycolic acid and lactic acid. Out of all the peel types, this is an ordinary peeling and the mildest one and treats concerns like fine lines, mild wrinkles, light acne scars, pigmentation, and dryness.

2. β hydroxy acid peels

The very popular acids, salicylic acid and TCA are the types of beta hydroxy acid. These acid peels are anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and hence, perfect for acne scars and removing any skin infection. These peels remove dead skin cells, work better than AHAs, and may cause frosting.

3. Retinoic acid peel

Retinoic acid is a retinoid and a deeper peel than the BHAs. This deep chemical peel works amazing for wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Generally, this peel is applied/performed along with a Jessner (that opens up the skin) that lets the retinoic acid penetrate better.

4. Phenol-croton oil peel

As the name suggests, it has two major components- phenol and croton. This one shows tremendous changes in the complexion, skin tightening, sun damage, aging effects, and whatnot! This one is an upgraded version of the traditional deep phenol peel. Mild to moderately loose skin is best treated with this peel.

Types of peels based on depth-

There are three types of chemical peels based on the functioning and issue treated.

1. Light chemical peel

It removes the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, and can treat all mild issues like dryness, acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

2. Medium chemical peel

It not only removes skin cells from the epidermis but also some portions of the upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). It targets uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and acne scars better than the light chemical peel.

3. Deep chemical peel

This one works even deeper. If you have hyperpigmentation, deeper acne scars, wrinkles, or even precancerous growths, you should go for a deep chemical peel. Melanx is an example of a deep chemical peel. It generally works in one go and would not require repeat procedures. Carbolic acid is a very strong acid and is used in deep chemical peeling.

Benefits of Chemical Face Peel

The benefit of chemical peeling is not limited to skin whitening. There are a lot more benefits to it, some of which are mentioned below-

1. Improves the functioning of skincare products

Certain chemicals are applied on the skin during the treatment and take along the dead skin cells on removal. Once the outermost layer is shredded, the inner skin cells rush to the skin surface, helping to boost collagen and hyaluronic acid production that eventually enhances the skin’s elasticity and makes it younger-looking.

Since there is no barrier to skincare products as well, they can function better. There would not be any dead skin cells; hence, the products will penetrate the skin efficiently and smoothly. The chemical peel treatment also helps with easy exfoliation.

2. Reduces Sun Damage

The sun damage caused on the skin is also treated by the chemical peel process day by day. Even a mild chemical peel can help you in healing pigmentation issues like sun spots and freckles. If sustained for longer, the sun damage may also cause skin aging. So, fine lines, blotchiness, and light wrinkles are treated with this treatment.

3. Treats Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition wherein skin color gets darkened. It’s a severe form of hyperpigmentation. It may be caused due to any reason and can be treated with a couple of solutions. If anything doesn’t work, a chemical peel is the ultimate solution to it.

4. Reduces Fine Lines

The chemical peels can reduce fine lines to a great extent, depending upon the type of Chemical peel treatment chosen. For treating mild fine lines, a light chemical peel can be adopted. Medium chemical peel works amazingly on moderate lines.

If anyone suffers from deep scars, dark spots, and wrinkles around the forehead, eyes, and mouth, he or she should go for a deep chemical peel. It generally takes a few months to heal from the deep peel.

5. Reduces Acne and Acne Scars

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that can be treated with topical application or oral medication but some stubborn ones are treated with chemical peels.

Where light chemical peels and medium chemical peels work on normal acne, deep chemical peels break down comedones, minimize oil production and inflammation, kill down bacteria, minimize infection, and gradually, enhances the absorption of topical products.

Chemical peels don’t just unclog the skin pores and remove blackheads from the skin surface but also deposit the ingredients on the skin which leads to vanishing or lightening of acne marks. Chemical peels containing salicylic, lactic, and trichloroacetic acid are the best for acne scars.

6. Treats Issues like Rosacea, Hypopigmentation, and Hyperpigmentation

Rosacea is a skin inflammatory condition wherein the person faces swelling, redness, and red bumps on the face. It also causes acne-like breakouts at times. The chemical peel treatment helps in getting rid of these issues, in case they are mild or moderate.

Normal as well as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be treated well with chemical peel treatment. As it involves skin resurfacing, it attacks skin concerns like uneven skin tone, dark spots, acne scars, dark circles, discoloration due to sun damage, melasma, age spots, freckles, dullness, dryness, and many more.

Hypopigmentation is a condition wherein the skin produces lower melanin, as compared to normal skin. This is also treated by using chemical peel treatment.

Chemical Peel Cost in India

There are a lot of factors that determine the price of chemical peel treatment in India; majorly it depends on the issue to be treated, say, acne, dark circles, scar, uneven skin tone, etc., and the strength of the chemical peel.

The minimum price per session starts from INR 1000 which may go up to INR 9000 per session. In Sakhiya Skin Clinic, we charge a minimum of INR 1000 per session and a maximum of INR 6000, depending on the type and intensity.

Chemical Peel for Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a condition wherein a brown pigment, known as melanin, is overproduced. As a result, it leads to dark spots on the skin causing uneven skin tone. Chemical face peel targets hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis and helping new skin to develop with a more even tone.

Chemical peeling, kind of, damages the whole or a part of the epidermis in a controlled manner. It exfoliates and regenerates the epidermal and dermal tissues. This treatment can work for hyperpigmentation solely or as a part of other treatments.

Chemical face peel: Before and After

There are a few things that need to be considered before going for chemical peel treatment and after it is done.

Before-

• Choose a certified and experienced dermatologist who would review your medical history, inspect your skin, and discuss with you your expectations and risks associated.
• Take antiviral medicines, some bleaching agents, and retinoid cream suggested by your doctor. This is all done to avoid any infection post-chemical peel treatment.
• Avoid going outside in the Sun without protecting your skin. Such exposure may lead to some permanent and irregular pigmentation on the part of the treated skin. Consult this with your doctor.
• Say a big NO to certain cosmetic treatments and hair removal techniques a week before the treatment. Techniques such as electrolysis or depilatories, hair treatments, facial masks, or scrubs should be avoided in the week chemical peel treatment is supposed to be done.
  

  After-

• Follow your doctor’s advice religiously regarding everything, right from sun protection and ointments to cleansing and moisturizing. Just don’t scratch or rub your skin, even if it irritates.
• There are different symptoms of different types of chemical peel. Generally, there is little redness, dryness, and irritation on the treated skin. Apply the prescribed ointment to soothe the skin. Don’t do anything on your own.
• You can use ice packs on your treated skin. This helps a lot. Apply a layer of SPF sunscreen every day, even if you stay indoors. Avoid going outside unless it’s urgent, while you are on the healing stage.
• The outcome of the treatment depends heavily on the aftercare. Keep a constant reminder for the follow-up visits to your doctor, who would monitor your condition.

People Not Suitable for Chemical Peel

Generally, peels are safe for everyone but it is not recommended for certain people pursuing this treatment; such as,

• Pregnant women,
• someone who has sunburn or inflamed acne,
• who has taken oral acne medication in the past 6 months,
• who faces severe/frequent outbreaks due to cold sores,
• who has genetically ridged areas caused by overgrown scar tissue, or
• anyone whose skin doesn’t turn out to be apt on examination by the dermatologist.

Every treatment comes with its side effects and so does. People generally experience a little swelling and redness but that can be treated with medication. The patients just have to follow their doctor’s advice and take the utmost care. We, at Sakhiya Skin Clinic, clearly suggest to our patients the guidelines and methods to be followed.

Take a look at this Chemical Peel procedure video for better understanding: