ABOUT

Also known as light chemical peels and deep chemical peels

Naturally as skin cells wear and tear they slough off easily, however as we get older our body loses the ability to do this effectively, leading to a dull look of the skin. Light, medium and deep chemical peels are a popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and they peel away the top layer of the skin thus improving the sun-damaged, unevenly pigmented and wrinkled skin. This procedure improves the evenness of color and texture of your skin giving a youthful, healthy and radiant appearance.
Many people who consider chemical peels also consider laser skin resurfacing , dermabrasion and facelift.

WHERE IS IT DONE
Outpatient Procedure Room
DURATION
1 Hour

ANAESTHESIA

Light and medium peels & Deep- Phenol peel: Not required
Deep peel: Croton oil peel: IV sedation or General anaesthesia is necessary

INCISIONS, STITCHES & SCARS

None

STAY AT CLINIC
1 Hour

HOW IS IT PERFORMED?

There are 2 kinds of peels – Superficial peels and deep peels. Based on your cosmetic goals anyone of them are used. They act by exfoliating dead cells thus improving texture, acne, sun damage and congested pores. Deeper peels are used address wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

The medication is applied by a sponge or a cotton swab and may be applied lightly or rubbed more vigorously onto the skin. The areas of brows, eyes and lips are spared.

With light and medium peels one may experience a slight tingling sensation, this is natural and can be tolerated.

With Deep peels, one may experience a burning sensation, this is a natural reaction, it will be treated with an anaesthetic and a petroleum jelly.

After the treatment with a light or a medium peel, no further application of ointment is needed.

After the treatment with a deep peel, a protective crust forms over the treated area, and a thick application of petroleum jelly or an ointment over it will be necessary for 1 or 2 days. In cases with severe wrinkling an additional dressing would be applied.

LIGHT TO MEDIUM PEELS

  1. Alpha-hydroxy acid peel (AHA)
  2. Trichloroacetic acid peel (TCA) These have relatively less bleaching effect when compared to solutions containing phenol , therefore these are often preferred to them.

Deep Peels

Phenol Peel

This is recommended for treating

  1. Severe wrinkles
  2. Sun damage
  3. Uneven skin tone
  4. Uneven skin texture
  5. Precancerous skin conditions

This is a serious procedure and should be performed by qualified doctors only.

This peel cannot be used on the neck or other parts of the body.

Advantages

  • The solution also exerts an anaesthetic effect on the skin and hence relieves the burning sensation associated with the peel.
  • Many clinical studies over the past 30 years have proven the effectiveness of this peel.

Croton Oil Peel

This is recommended for treating

  • Severe wrinkles caused by sun damage
  • Extensive skin damage from acne

Often this is performed along with a phenol peel as it enhances the penetration of phenol and the depth of the peel.
As this peel is painful, it is performed under intravenous sedation or a general anaesthesia. The pain is usually relieved by the following morning.

REST AT HOME BEFORE RESUMING OFFICE WORK
Light and medium peels: Can resume regular office work immediately
Deep peels: 1-2 days.

AFTERCARE AND RECOVERY

Avoid any direct or indirect exposure to the sun until all the redness in your skin has subsided. This is important for all the chemical peel treatments.

Even after the redness has subsided use a sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

Use Sun goggles to protect the skin around your eyes.

Take care and avoid exposure to chlorinated water such as in the swimming pools as it may cause some adverse reactions with some kinds of chemical peels.

Duration of the swelling, redness and time required to heal depend upon the depth of the peel. It is longer for deeper peels.

Stay adequately hydrated by consuming good quantity of water periodically.

Keep the treated skin moist with a moisturizer.

FOLLOW UP VISITS
4-6 Week between each sitting

HOW LONG WILL MY RESULTS FROM A CHEMICAL PEEL LAST?

Superficial Peels: need periodic repeat sessions to maintain the results. 3-4 weeks.
Deeper Peels: Skin pinkness would persist for a few weeks with the deeper peels. Hence, it may take months before you can fully appreciate the accurate results of the procedure. The benefits with deeper peels are relatively longer lasting and most patients feel that they worth waiting for.

Maintain good communication with the aesthetic plastic surgeon or the medical cosmetologist.

Keeping safety in mind as well as for the most beautiful outcome of the procedure, we advise that you visit the clinic for follow-up and evaluation at prescribed times. Also do not hesitate to contact the doctor if you notice any changes in the treatment areas or when you have any concerns and queries.

ASSOCIATED COSTS

Click here for the cost of Chemical peel procedures.

LIMITATIONS & RISKS

Significant complications from Chemical peels, fortunately, are infrequent. The risks specific to your health will be discussed during the consultation. Thousands of people undergo this procedure every year and are glad with the results.
Some risks specific to chemical peels include

  1. Abnormal healing
  2. Eruption of cold sore (herpes virus)
  3. Unanticipated colour changes or skin blotchiness
  4. Tiny whiteheads
  5. Scarring

You can minimize certain risks by following the instructions given by the doctor both before and after the procedure.