Cosmetic Laser Clinic

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Chemical Dermal Peels

What are Chemical Dermal Peels?

A Chemical Peel comprises a solution of exfoliating agents, which is applied to the face to remove the rough upper layer of skin and to stimulate the rejuvenation of new skin cells. The process tightens and smoothes skin, resulting in fewer lines, blemishes and age spots.  This can result in more even pigmentation producing a fresh, clean radiant look. The peel treatment takes from 30 – 60 minutes

What types of Chemical Dermal Peels are there?

There are a variety of Chemical Peels on the market that help improve all skin types, from sensitive to course, heavily sun damaged skin They are each suited to different skin problems and types. Chemical peels also vary in strength and are classified as superficial, medium, or deep according to the level of skin they reach.

Superficial and medium peels are used to improve skin texture, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Superficial peels enable you to go straight back to work and simply wear makeup to conceal any redness.   Deep peels are used for more severe conditions such as acne and may result in swelling and blisters that break open and form a crust, followed by peeling for up to 2 weeks.

Following any peel, your new skin will be sensitive, so use maximum sun protection.

Which Chemical Dermal Peel is right for me?

Chemical peels induce a controlled wound to the skin, and can replace part or all of the top layers of skin. In determining which chemical peel is right for you the following considerations need to be made;  your skin type and colour, the extent of the skin problem, ageing or sun-damage, the result you would like to achieve and the amount of recovery or downtime that is acceptable by you.

As a rule, the deeper the peel, the more side effects, potential complications and recovery time are needed.  Also, the darker the skin type, the more problems that are likely to be encountered post-peel.  Pigmentation problems can occur post treatment where the treated skin may become darker than the untreated skin, therefore, deeper peels for darker skin types must be carefully considered and sometimes it may be better to perform a series of more superficial peels rather than one deep peel.

The degree of skin ageing will also determine which peel to use.  Younger patients with less sun-damage, pigmentation and wrinkles would normally only require a superficial peel.  The opposite is also true.

Parts of the body other than the face can be peeled also. For example, you can have chemical peels on the chest and back for acne, or on the neck and decolletage to help reduce sun damage.

Chemical peels can improve the following: sun damage, roscea, wrinkles, fine lines, freckles, pigment changes, clogged pores and mild acne scarring.