Always wanted to learn more about how chemical peels can rejuvenate your skin but fear the thought of how they sound? LS Aesthetic Clinic breaks it down for you: what chemical peels really are, how they work, and why there really is nothing much to fear at all.
What are chemical peels?
A chemical peel is an aesthetic treatment used to promote the growth of new, rejuvenated skin, through the application of a chemical solution, which encourages the exfoliation of dead skin cells.
What can it do for my skin?
Chemical peels can be applied to the face, neck, or hands. The benefits are multifold! They can:
- Reduce fine lines caused by UV damage and aging
- Reduce pigmentation (age spots, freckles, or melasma)
- Improve the appearance of mild scars (e.g. acne scars or chicken pox scars)
- Treat certain types of acne
- Promote the growth of new, smooth, and rejuvenated skin
- Improve skin texture and tone
Are chemical peels safe?
When a chemical peel is administered by an experienced doctor, it is a very safe procedure.
Do they hurt? Is there any downtime?
Chemical peels may sting slightly, but they do not cause a lot of pain. It will most likely feel like a prickly sensation that most patients report as highly tolerable.
What you feel will also depend on the type of peel you choose! The stronger the peel, the stronger the prickly sensation you are likely to feel.
The level of downtime also depends on the type of peel you choose. While mild peels have no downtime, stronger peels might see your skin peeling and a couple of days worth of downtime.
What are the different types of chemical peels?
There are essentially 3 types of chemical peels:
- Superficial peel: Also commonly known as the “lunchtime peel”, this form of chemical peel only penetrates the outer layers of your skin, gently exfoliating dead skin cells and rejuvenating your skin without any form of peeling or downtime. Such peels often contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), which include naturally-occurring fruit acids such as glycolic or citric acids.
- Medium peel: These use trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to penetrate the outer and middle layers of your skin, and can be effective in treating moderate wrinkles, pigmentation from aging or UV damage, as well as acne.
- Deep peel: This is the most aggressive form of a chemical peel that penetrates several layers of skin to produce skin rejuvenation from within. This allows for a faster rate of new collagen production as compared to other peels, but also results in aggressive skin peeling and a longer downtime period. At LS Aesthetic Clinic, we do not offer or recommend deep peels as there are better treatment alternatives with less downtime.
What can I expect during a chemical peel?
While procedures vary depending on the type of peel, your skin will be cleansed thoroughly, followed by the application of a medical degreaser to ensure that the treatment area is free from any oils.
The chemical peel will be applied onto your skin for a controlled amount of time, following which your skin is cleansed with cold water or a neutralising agent to stop further chemical reactions.
How do I take care of my skin after a chemical peel?
Always, always avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun! Use a mild cleanser in your skincare routine, and make sure to apply moisturisers and sunblock liberally to speed up the healing process.
If you opt for a stronger peel, refrain from picking at any peeling skin too!
Who are good candidates for chemical peels?
Most patients who wish to treat their acne, wrinkles, or pigmentation concerns are generally suited for chemical peels, but it is advisable to give your doctor an accurate medical history, such as existing cardiac or diabetic conditions, so that your doctor can choose the chemical peel that is best suited for you.
Those with darker skin tones can run the risk of getting uneven skin tones should they opt for overly aggressive chemical peels. If this applies to you, do consult your doctor on what chemical peel works best for you! You can still have good results, but should opt for superficial or less aggressive peels just to be on the safe side.
If you’d like to get in touch with us on the chemical peel treatments we provide and what works best for your skin condition, give us a call at +65 6738 4700 or email us at enquire@lsaestheticclinic.com. We provide honest advice, quality care, and affordable prices.