Human skin can experience a lot of wear and tear over the years, especially on the face. The environment, sun, dirt, cosmetics, and facial expressions all contribute to the damage that becomes visible on the outer layer. The result is a dull, unhealthy appearance in need of skin rejuvenation. Chemical peels can help patients rejuvenate their appearance with fresh, smooth skin.
A chemical peel treatment typically involves the application of a solution to the skin that will remove dead skin cells, which allows the next layer of skin to develop and replace the old layer. The result is tightened, radiant skin with reduced wrinkles.
Essentially, there are three types of chemical peels, each distinguished by the depth of treatment:
- Superficial chemical peels– do not penetrate below the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.
- Medium chemical peels– penetrate below the epidermis to the top layer of the dermis, but generally does not go deeper.
- Deep chemical peels– penetrate to the deepest layers of the dermis.
The depth of penetration depends on the type and strength of the solution and the amount of time the solution interacts with the skin.
At The Beauty Clinic we can effectively treat a multitude of troublesome skin conditions with chemical peels:
- Sun spots
- Age spots
- Superficial lines and wrinkles
- Uneven pigmentation
- Shallow acne scars
- Unbalanced skin tone
- Rough skin
- Acne
Chemical peels are safe and effective enough for nearly any part of the body, though the areas that respond best are the face, neck, and hands. The chest, arms, and legs can also be treated, but the results are not always consistent.
Our range of chemical peels includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Glycolic Peels
- Salicylic Acid Peels
- TCA peels(superficial and medium depth)
- Jessner Peels
- VIP Peels
- Yellow Peels
Our experienced staff performs most of the superficial peels while doctor Bitlan specialises in stronger peels to treat more severe cases of ageing, acne and pigmentation.
To achieve maximum benefit from a chemical peel, pre-treatment and post-treatment care is essential.
Chemical Peels Pre-treatment
General preparation for a chemical peel begins about two weeks to four weeks prior to the procedure:
- Thorough cleansing
- Antioxidant cream
- Sun screen
- Vitamin A or anti-pigmentation product
This pre-treatment routine is key. It helps the skin heal more evenly and reduces the risks of infection, unusual skin colour changes, and more.
Chemical Peels Post-Treatment Care
Ultimately, the degree of skin and facial rejuvenation depends on post-treatment care, regardless of the chemical peel type. General tips to keep in mind include:
- Clean the treated area and surrounding skin often
- Moisturize the skin often every day
- Avoid sun exposure until peeling stops
- After peeling, use sunscreen every day
A superficial chemical peel requires no downtime or recovery. During post-treatment, patients should experience no more than slight discomfort and the skin could turn pink. Expect only a minimal amount of peeling. A series of 2-3 peels spaced 2-4 weeks apart will gently separate the skin cells in the damaged outer layer so they painlessly slough off for fresh smooth skin beneath.
A medium chemical peel often results in 2-3 days downtime and a longer overall recovery as the treated skin sloughs off and the new skin grows and heals. After a week, the skin should be healed enough for makeup. Patients can expect redness and swelling post-treatment, although usually not much discomfort. After 2-3 days, the skin goes reddish-brown, hardens, and then flakes and peels for several more days.
A deep chemical peel can require 1-2 weeks of downtime and recovery. It takes about two weeks for the skin to grow back and it will be very red for about a month. Post-treatment care is important after a deep peel because of the increased risk of infection.
Although post chemical peel treatment redness is an unwanted side effect, it does show that healing is taking place. Unintended skin discoloration can also occur—lightening is more common after a deep peel (hypopigmentation) while darkening is more likely after a superficial peel (hyperpigmentation)
A chemical peel treatment can be customized according to each patient’s needs. Our staff at The Beauty Clinic has the experience and knowledge necessary to determine the right type of solution, the appropriate strength, and the right amount of treatment time to achieve the following results:
- Smooth skin
- Fewer fine lines and wrinkles
- Restored skin tone balance
- Reduced appearance of superficial acne or acne scars
- Resurfaced skin that is smooth to the touch
- Overall skin rejuvenation
Combination Treatments
At The Beauty Clionic, we typically combine a chemical peel with one or more aesthetic treatments to enhance your results or treat particularly troublesome conditions.
Such combination treatment can be:
- Facial +Chemical Peel
- Microdermabrasion+Chemical Peel
- Needling +Chemical Peel
Who Should Avoid Cosmetic Peels?
Chemical peels are not for everyone. This treatment is not recommended for patients who are:
- Pregnant or nursing
- Have an active skin disease, such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis
- Have broken or sunburned skin
- Have used a prescription skin care product, such as Retin-A, Renova or other product with ascorbic acids, in the past two days
The results may not be as consistent for patients who have:
- A dark complexion
- A pale, freckled complexion (with red hair)
- Abnormal pigmentation in the skin
- A history of regular cold sores
Below is a summary of other popular chemical peels that we have successfully performed for many years at The Beauty Clinic:
RETINOL PEEL
The Beauty Clinic’s Retinol Peel is a vitamin A based peel, designed to reverse ageing of the skin. This peel is very versatile and can successfully remove sun damage, even out skin tone, improve texture and eliminate acne. Great for oily skin. Virtually painless, Retinol Peel takes only 30min, has minimal downtime and can be combined with dermal needling for exceptional results for skin tone and anti-ageing. Expect gentle to medium peeling two days post treatment for 3-4 days. Suitable for all skin colors.
VIPEEL
Our ViPeel, designed to reverse the signs of aging and sun damage. Its synergistic blend of gentle yet powerful ingredients can improve the tone, texture and clarity of your skin; reduce or eliminate age spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation, soften lines and wrinkles; and clear acne conditions. The ViPeel can also be used to treat sun damage on the décolletage and hands. This virtually painless treatment takes only about 40 minutes. Expect tingling in the first 10minutes and medium peeling after 2 days for 4 days. Excellent option when you want fast results, suitable for all skin colors.
GLOSS PEEL
The Beauty Clinic is proud to offer a peel for particularly stubborn pigmentation problems. Gloss Peel is a blend of modified TCA, beta hydroxy acid, pigment lighteners and Retinol (vitamin A) Peel. This powerful combination will eliminate excess pigmentation by regulating melanin production. Best results are achieved after using pigment lighteners pre and post treatment as homecare. Minimal downtime, expect the skin to peel moderately after 2 days for 4 days.
SUPER ANTIOXIDANT PEEL
Our clinics most popular maintenance peel, Super Antioxidant Peel will leave your skin glowing and smooth. Including a powerful exfoliation with pigment lighteners, enzymes and vitamins, this peel is the perfect choice to refresh your skin, eliminate blocked pores and brighten complexion without any downtime/peeling post treatment. We recommend 3-6 treatments 3-4 weeks apart. Expect mild redness post treatment for couple of hours. Suitable for all skin types.
