A lot of products being promoted promise a fresh glowing skin. Chemical peeling is one that is prominent but what does it actually do and how does it revive the skin's texture?
As the skin is constantly exposed to the sun's harmful UV light, dirt, and other external elements, the skin's layer gets damaged resulting to blemishes, dry skin and wrinkles, pigmentation or blotchy patches. Chemical peeling improves the skin by peeling off the this outer damaged layer of the skin.
In a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin and allowed to soak in. In the next 1 to 14 days, as the chemical penetrates the skin, the skin starts to peel off. The process allows the skin to renew as the outer layer is removed in a controlled way and allow new skin to grow in its place. Exfoliating agents are the chemicals used for the treatment.
Different types of chemicals are used depending on the desired depth of peel. Factors that affect the depth of a peel include the amount of acid in the agent, the time allowed for the acid to soak it, and the number of applications to the skin. It is very important that the patient would undergo a chemical peeling treatment as gradual as possible. While deeper peels give more dramatic effects, it also poses higher risks to damage the skin, increased pain and longer time for the patient to recover. The 3 types of chemical peeling are Superficial peels, Medium peels and Deep peels.
Superficial peels being the mildest can be used by most skin types. These peels use liquid with mild acid such as Glycolic acid found in many exfoliating products.
Medium peels penetrate deeper than superficial peels and could cause a second-degree burn. The main peeling agent used is TCA or Trichloroacetic acid.
Deep peels penetrates several layers of skin. Like medium peels, it could cause a second-degree burn when not used cautiously. Deep peels must only be done on the face and shouldn't be used in darker skin types for the reason that they cause bleaching to the skin. Even for lighter skin types, it is advised to be done not more than once. The usual peeling agent used is Phenol.
Patients must seek a qualified medical practitioner's advise to help them decide the depth of peel, the appropriate peeling agent to be used based on skin type, as well as specific areas of the body to be peeled. A concealed tiny area of the skin is tested to get a better idea of the results.
The skin to receive chemical peeling treatment must be prepared by using a prescribed moisturizer, sunscreen and skin cleansing twice a day.
Recovery time depends on the type of peeling performed on the patient. A proper and daily care regimen is important to speed the process of the skin's healing, prevent infection and results last longer. Since the skin will be very sensitive after the treatment, avoiding sun exposure is a must.
