Samantha Jones (Sex and the City) may be the reason a lot of people are wary of having a chemical peel, but peels can actually be very safe and effective when performed by an experienced professional.
This month, SONIA KHORANA, GP with a specialist diploma in Dermatology and Aesthetic Doctor at Kat & Co shares her expert opinion on chemical peels.
Chemical peeling uses a solution to exfoliate the outer layers of the skin in a controlled manner.
This destruction to part or all of the epidermis as well as, sometimes, part of the dermis stimulates the skin's regenerative process, including the stimulation of collagen and elastin.
Professional chemical peels can be classified into one of three categories depending on their potency:
Superficial chemical peels remove the outermost dead skin cells that build up and can make skin look dull. They can sometimes be called "lunchtime peels"
Medium chemical peels penetrate the epidermal layer to exfoliate cells within the papillary dermis.
Deep chemical peels go the deepest and provide the most dramatic results. They remove the entire dramatic results. They remove the entire epidermis and the papillary dermis and may also penetrate down into the reticular dermis.
Chemical peels are used to address a multitude of skin concerns including:-
Depending on the type and degree of chemical exfoliant being applied., chemical peel prep can vary from a simple cleanse to weeks of pre-treatment prescription skincare.
Some patients need to follow a pre-peel skin care plan for two to four weeks. This plan can improve results and reduce potential side effects - this is particularly important in patients with DARKER SKIN TONES. I always ensure I follow a specific protocol for my darker-skinned patients to minimise risks.
We apply a chemical solution to the surface of the skin to carefully remove the outer layers. Depending on the potency, number of layers applied, as well as time left on the skin, the depth of the peel becomes deeper and downtime is increased.
Superficial Peel - healing time is 1 - 7 days. Skin will be red and after the redness disappears, scaling may develop which lasts 3-7 days.
Medium Peel - healing time is 7-14 days. Skin will be red and swollen. Swelling worsens for 48 hours. Eyelids may swell. Blisters can form and break open. Skin crusts and peels off in 7 - 14 days.
Deep Peel - healing time 14-21 days
Once your skin heals, you will see the results. Healing time ranges from 1 day for a refreshing or lunchtime peel to 14 days or longer for a deep peel. To get the results you seek from a refreshing peel or lunchtime peel, you may need to have more peels.
Don't forget, sun protection following a peel is absolutely crucial.
In the hands of a doctor/aesthetician who has experience with chemical peels, side effects tend to be mild.
We offer the following range of chemical peels at Kat & Co. If you'd like to book in for a skin peel at Kat & Co, contact the team on 0121 456 7930 or email enquiry@cckat.com
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