MEDICAL CHEMICAL PEELS

If you have a history of poor skin healing and keloid scarring you may not be suitable for a peel, especially a stronger, deeper peel where scarring is a risk. If you have any type of infection on your face you may be best advised to wait until it clears up before having a peel. People with acne who have been using isotretinoin (Roaccutane) within the last 12 months are not suitable. People with dark skin types such as Asian or Afro-Caribbean skin are more at risk from hypopigmentation (loss of pigmentation in the skin) following a peel and may not be suitable for medium or deep peels. Anyone with heart problems should not have a phenol peel.

The best way to discover if a peel is right for you is to have a consultation with an aesthetic practitioner who can assess your skin and talk to you about your concerns before advising what type of peel may best suit your needs.

What do I have to do before a chemical peel?  

Before you have a chemical peel you will need to have a consultation with one of our doctors or dermal therapists. This will be your opportunity to discuss your skin concerns so we can decide what type and depth of peel will be best suited to you.

A medical history will usually be taken to make sure there are no reasons you should not be having the treatment. You will then be asked to sign a consent form.

We recommend that you should avoid exfoliating your face, sun bathing or using tanning beds and changing your normal skincare regime, unless instructed to do so by us. It is important to remember that with certain types of peel you will have to prepare your skin beforehand. This will involve using homecare products for about two weeks before treatment and avoiding sun exposure. Please make sure you stick to the routine given to you by our practitioners as this will enhance your results and significantly reduce downtime.

How is the procedure performed?   

This depends upon the type and strength of peel you are having. Typically with a superficial peel your skin will be cleansed and the peeling solution will be applied. In some cases this is removed after a few minutes and in others you may leave the clinic with it on and remove it at home later. During the peel you should feel nothing more than a slight tingling or stinging sensation. With many superficial peels you won’t feel anything. The treatment is really quick and easy and can take as little as 10 minutes.

With medium-depth peels the skin is also thoroughly cleansed before the peeling solution is applied. We apply numbing cream beforehand and a fan is used to cool the face during the procedure. The peel will then be neutralised and removed. As this is a medium-depth peel expect the treatment to be more uncomfortable than a light peel. You may feel some temporary stinging, burning and irritation during the procedure.

What do I need to do after treatment with medical peels?  

As is the case with all skin resurfacing procedures, it is critical to stay out of direct sun light and keep the treated area well moisturised.  No exfoliation or skin products with active ingredients like vitamin A (retinol) should be used till the skin is fully healed. For most superficial and medium-depth peels, the treated area will appear slightly red and have a slight sunburn sensation, possibly accompanied by some swelling. This usually lasts 2–24 hours and can be soothed with cold gels, ice packs and special post peel soothing creams recommended to you by our staff.

Keep skin clean and use sunblock with a minimum of SPF 30+ and medical makeup. You may notice peeling a few days after your peel.

What should I expect after a medical peel?   

With superficial peels you may get a little bit of pinkness and some mild skin peeling for a couple of days but in most cases, you will be able to resume normal activities straight away.

With medium-depth peels there is a longer recovery period, usually 3–8 days, (although, very rarely, your skin can stay pink for a few months).  You will also get more peeling with a medium-depth peel. Your face might be sore and swollen and feel tight after treatment. You can take painkillers to control this and use an antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection. You must avoid scratching or picking off any peeling skin as you may cause your skin to bleed and be left with scars.

With all chemical peels you should avoid sunbathing afterwards and make sure you wear a sunscreen when you go out, even if it is not sunny, as you may develop brown marks on your skin known as hyperpigmentation. We also recommend medical makeup to all our clients to cover the redness and facilitate healing.

What are the possible side effects?  

There are virtually no risks associated with light or superficial peels. As they only mildly exfoliate the skin you should not get any negative side effects. On rare occasions some people develop hyperpigmentation (brown marks on the skin) but this can be avoided by ensuring you wear sun protection, even when it is not sunny outside.

There are some risks associated with medium-depth peels. You will usually get patches of brown and white skin on your face after treatment but this should only be temporary. You are at risk of developing hyperpigmentation after having a medium-depth peel, especially if you do not wear a sunscreen every time you go outside. You can also get a red appearance to your skin, which can lasts for several months in rare cases. This should not be a permanent side effect. There is also a small chance of scarring after a medium-depth peel, so make sure you avoid picking or scratching.

There are a number of risks associated with deep peels, the most common of which is hypopigmentation (loss of pigment in the skin). This can be permanent and is particularly bad if you have a darker skin type, as it will be very noticeable. As with all peels you are also at risk of hyperpigmentation so make sure you religiously apply sunscreen with a high SPF. Scarring is another risk. Deep peels can be very traumatic to the skin so it is vital you go to a highly experienced surgeon or doctor to have your treatment.