Skinovate in Melbourne has many types and depths of chemical skin peels and they are used in many different ways. Cosmetic Medical practitioners are able to use much stronger (but still safe) peels to remove freckles, reduce fine scarring, dramatically improve skin texture and function and clear up acne.
Skinovate will custom-design a skin peel, or combination of different skin peels, specifically for you - designed to achieve what you desire, paying particular attention to your skin type and "characrteristics".
Each type of peel can also be custom made for weaker (Superficial Skin Peel) or stronger (Deep Skin Peel) qualities according to your needs and skin peels can be performed on any part of your body.
a) Superficial Skin Peels
b) Deep Chemical Skin Peels
AGENTS USED FOR CHEMICAL SKIN PEELING
Jessner's solution is a mixture of acids including alpha and beta hydroxy acids, and is commonly used for chemical peeling, especially to lighten pigmentation and refine pores.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of naturally occurring substances often referred to as fruit acids because they are found naturally in various fruits. The acid with the smallest molecular size is Glycolic Acid, which occurs naturally in sugar cane, and is often used on its own for light chemical peeling. Beta hydroxy acids are oil soluble and penetrate deeper into the pores for excellent cleansing.
The process of chemical peeling allows the removal of a damaged layer of skin. The end result is skin which appears healthier, fresh, more even-toned and tighter.
RESULTS FROM SUPERFICIAL CHEMICAL SKIN PEELING
Many skin problems are caused by, or associated with, the excessive build up of dead skin cells that make the skin look thick and dull. AHAs and Jessner help to loosen and remove the layers of dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin. This produces a reduction of the built-up damaged skin and an improvement in skin appearance and texture, softening of fine lines, increased smoothness in skin texture, lightening of pigmentation irregularities, an increase in the skin’s natural glow or radiance and minimisation of pore size due to pore emptying.
HOW IS IT DONE?
The chemical skin peeling system should include not only the peeling sessions, but also home care products for preparing the skin for the peel and for ongoing maintenance. This system will allow you to achieve the maximum improvement in the look and texture of your skin.
A glycolic acid peel or light Jessner peel is a process whereby a high concentration of the acid is applied to the skin. This rapidly removes the dead outermost layer of the skin to reveal softer, smoother and clearer skin underneath. Essentially, the glycolic acid peel process is a controlled removal of the surface skin cells to reveal a better-looking skin. Jessner peels or washes go even deeper for better results and even colour.
Most people prefer to use a system of peeling that takes more treatments and involves less down time, and therefore choose superficial chemical peeling.
SUITABILITY FOR CHEMICAL SKIN PEELING
There may be some special instructions for you in the two week period prior to your scheduled peel if you have experienced the following conditions: allergies, atopic skin reactions, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, collagen disease, viral infections (cold sores) or sun sensitivity. These conditions can affect the sensitivity and receptivity of your skin to the acid. Also, if you take certain drugs, such as anticoagulants for circulation disorders, or if you smoke, your skin may recover more slowly after the peel process.
*** Please let our therapist know if any of these conditions apply to you. ***
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
The chemical peel process can possibly cause acne or cold sores to flare, or an inflammation of the tissue around the mouth (peri-oral dermatitis). These problems are all temporary.
Some patients may experience transient spots of hyper- or hypopigmentation after a glycolic peel procedure. If these conditions are left untreated, they usually resolve spontaneously within four to eight weeks.
Generally after a light peel your face simply feels cleaner, tighter and/or drier. Actual skin peeling is not always desired by the patient and not always necessary to see an improvement. A course of peels and top-ups are required for maximum skin rejuvenation.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE PEEL
Using a soothing emollient and treating the skin gently until it returns to normal will make the aftercare process easier. Avoid sun exposure and use a sunscreen.
DO NOT peel, pick, scrape or scratch the skin or wear tight fitting hats or headbands on the peeled area, and apply only oil-free make up and only with caution.
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b) Deep Chemical Peels
WHAT IS CHEMICAL PEELING?
Chemical Peeling is exactly what it says - peeling of the skin using a chemical (skin acid). A chemical peel removes the outer layers of the skin. This freshens the skin, removes some sunspots and rough scaly patches, and reduces freckles and irregular pigmentation. It also reduces fine wrinkles. It is safest and most effective on the face. Hands, arms and legs can be peeled but the risk of scarring is higher and the results less predictable.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF CHEMICAL PEELING?
Cleopatra and the ancient Romans used various food acids to peel their skin. In the early 1900s, European and American women underwent non-medical peels in salons with secret formulae, which were probably mild acids.
In the early 1950s, the phenol peel was developed. This was a fierce deep peel that could remove years of wrinkles, but also gave peeling a bad reputation for complications - pigmentation, depigmentation, scarring and even abnormal heart rhythms due to absorption of the chemicals. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) being a more gentle acid has made a comeback in popularity because it rejuvenates the skin without the risk of serious side effects.
Jessner Peels are also now popular, but are not as deep as TCA.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The agent is painted on the skin, causing a mild acid burn to the top layers, i.e. those most sun-damaged. As these layers peel off over a week or so, new fresh unblemished skin forms from the deeper germinal layers. Chemical peeling stimulates the growth of healthy new skin cells in place of tired old sun-damaged skin. Thickened pigmented epidermis showing cellular disarray is replaced by fresh, orderly, uniform cells. A new band of dermis forms between the epidermis and the underlying tissue, making the skin more elastic. This process is to be sharply contrasted with sunburn, which removes the outer layers of skin, but causes UV damage to germinal cells, thereby compounding the aging process and risk of skin cancer.
WHO IS SUITABLE?
Fine wrinkling can be reduced, though deeper lines will remain, (some of which can be improved by other methods) with chemical peeling.
Most brown marks, freckles and pigmentation can be removed or lessened, especially age and liver spots (lentigines). However, pigment changes can be caused by a peel in people prone to this complication due to their skin type. Those known to develop brown discoloration after injury such as a mild burn should have a test area peeled first before undergoing a full-face chemical peel.
Scaly patches and rough skin (keratoses) can be removed. Very thick keratoses may need additional treatments for complete removal.
ARE THERE ANY COMPLICATIONS?
Scarring can occur very rarely with strong acids, but is unusual with weaker ones. The most common causes of scarring are infection, and pulling off the skin before it is ready to peel. Both of these are avoidable.
Cold Sores can be activated in those prone to this kind of condition. Anti viral medication can prevent this.
Increased Pigmentation may occur, but usually resolves with time. It can be largely prevented by strict use of sunscreen for three months after the peel, and skin preparation before the peel with Retin A type creams and hydroquinone.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?
The skin may have had preparation with Vitamin A, Alpha Hydroxy Acid or other preparations. Firstly, the skin is thoroughly cleansed. The acid is then painted onto the skin and monitored. If burning or stinging is a problem, a cold pack may be helpful. Usually the treatment is carried out in sections. An anaesthetic cream can be applied prior to the skin peel for greater comfort.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS?
The skin will go red and swollen over the first 24 hours. Once the initial burning has worn off it is not painful, but feels tight. Over the next few days, the skin dries and looks like brownish leather. Vaseline should be applied several times a day to prevent cracking. Water will do no harm but soap should be avoided.
The skin will begin to peel between 3 and 7 days later, and must be left to come off at its own pace. As soon as the skin has healed, make-up may be applied over the new, pink skin. Sometimes a secondary peel occurs during the second week in the form of dry scaling skin. Sunscreen is mandatory for at least three months, and moisturizers are helpful.
Chemical peeling can be repeated after two to three months. This will not harm the skin. The habitual use of sunscreen will prevent further sun damage and therefore maintain the improved skin quality.
Additionally, the use of vitamin creams, AHA and BHA creams or enzyme creams can continue to improve the skin texture and reverse some of the effects caused by years of sun exposure. |
