What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels Glasgow are used for improving and smoothing the texture of skin by removing age spots and evening out skin tone. Skin peels are made from a chemical called phenol and work by causing controlled injury to the skin.

There are three different types of chemical peels that you can get;

Superficial

  • Top layer of skin cells removed
  • Left on skin for a few minutes
  • Skin may feel tight afterwards – a couple of hours
  • To maintain effects, regular treatment is required

Medium

  • Top and middle skin cells removed
  • Left on skin for a few minutes
  • When peel is being applied you might experience a burning or stinging experience
  • In the days after skin may go red or brown
  • Can take up to 6 weeks for skin to go back to normal
  • To maintain effects, treatment needed every 6 to 12 months

Deep

  • Deeper layers of skin affected
  • Local anaesthetic or sedative may be required
  • When applied, a freezing sensation may be felt
  • Left on the skin for 30 minutes or more, depending on the desired effect
  • Heart and blood pressure will need to be monitored due to the phenol used
  • Skin may peel, look red and cause discomfort for a few days
  • Swelling may last up to 2 weeks
  • Skin redness may last up to 3 months
  • Not suitable for darker skin as it can cause skin lightening
  • One-off treatment that doesn’t normally need repeating

Benefits of Chemical Peels

The benefits of skin peels vary depending on the intensity of it.

Benefits of Superficial Peels

  • Improves acne scars
  • Improves skin texture
  • Reduces effects of sun damage

Benefits of Medium Peels

  • Improves acne scars
  • Smooths fine surface wrinkles
  • Corrects pigment problems e.g. age spots

Benefits of Deep Peels

  • Help treat sun damage
  • Eliminates deep, coarse wrinkles
  • Can remove precancerous growths

 

Are Chemical Peels Safe?

The majority of people who undergo chemical skin peels experience no serious side effects. But like any other procedure, there are problems that can occur. Making sure you visit a reputable and experienced company, like The Berkeley Clinic, will help ensure that you are in the best possible care. Following your doctors’ recommendations pre and post-procedure will also help ensure that everything goes to plan and no adverse side effects are felt.

Risks of Chemical Peels

  • Darkening or lightening of the skin (can be permanent)
  • Returning cold sores (if you’ve previously suffered from them)
  • Scarring or infection
  • Increased sensitivity to sun (sunscreen must be used for at least a month after)
  • Skin irritation
  • Peeling skin

Before Getting a Chemical Skin Peel You Should…

  • Take antiviral medication – if you have a history of herpes
  • Be Using glycolic acid lotion
  • Use a retinoid cream – may help shorten the treatment and speed up the healing process
  • Use a bleaching agent
  • Avoid unprotected sun exposure – minimum 4 weeks before
  • Avoid certain cosmetic treatments and hair removal – bleaching masks, facial scrubs and hair removal on face must not be done in the week before procedure
  • Arrange a lift home – you may be sedated