Chemical peeling can achieve a variety of both therapeutic and aesthetic skin benefits. These include:
- Skin rejuvenation: including for ageing and sun-damaged skin
- Skin smoothing, improved texture and more even pigment, including a reduction in ‘age spots’, freckles and pore size, along with the softening of deeper wrinkles and improvement in some types of scarring
Peels are also used for the treatment of:
- Acne, oily skin, comedones and pores
- Acne and other types of scars
- Melasma and pigmentation
- Actinic keratosis
During your initial consultation a skincare program will be recommended, along with a treatment program based on your skin type, skin changes to be treated and your input. This is key to getting the most out of your medical peel or facial treatment.
Superficial chemical peels are designed to exfoliate and remove the top layer of the skin, unblock pores and to interact with the living cell layers to stimulate renewal, regeneration and repair. Greater tailored cosmetic, therapeutic and rejuvenation benefits can be achieved by using stronger, targeted medical strength superficial and medium depth peels.
For optimal clinical and rejuvenating benefits a series of 3-6 peels is usually recommended for superficial skin peels. This may involve the same peel each time or layering different active ingredients to better treat a range of skin changes, or the application of combination peels containing several different active ingredients for greater benefits. During a series of peels, their strength and duration of application will be increased as your skin adapts for greater benefits tailored to your schedule and needs.
Pre-peel preparation
Preparing your skin will help you get more from your facial peels, meaning that the active ingredients interact with your skin more easily and effectively. This includes use of an appropriate homecare regime including cleanser, skin treatment and sun protective products.
Superficial peels and peel ingredients
- Glycolic acid, also known as Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA, are the main agents used in superficial and many stronger peels.
- Lactic acid is a gentle hydrating AHA that can be used for those with sensitive skin.
- Mandelic acid is similarly gentle and beneficial for those with red or rosacea-prone skin and active acne.
- Citric acid is layered over other AHA’s for those with skin pigmentation.
- Salicyclic acid a BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acid controls sebum and gets deeper into the pores and is used or combined with other agents particularly for those with black and white heads due to acne.
Medium depth and deeper peels
Deeper peels can be achieved using a combination of agents such as salicylic acid, lactic acid and resorcinol.
TCA or trichloracetic acid in higher concentration is used for treating more severe sun-damage, skin ageing and deeper scars.
TCA CROSS
(trichloracetic acid chemical reconstruction of skin scars)
TCA is useful for treating and improving punched out or ice pick type acne scarring along with smaller box car scars (<3mm). The TCA is applied to the walls +/- shoulder of these scars carefully to help contract the scars and stimulate new collagen where needed. Usually a series of 3-6 sessions is required for best results but this can also be combined with other acne scar treatments.
TCA can similarly be used to remove xanthelasma (fatty skin deposits) around the eyes.
Skincare program and pre-treatment
Your daily skin care recommendations will include ingredients used to improve your skin, plus enhance and ensure more even penetration and benefits from your series of peels.
