Chemical Peeling: Know Everything about Chemical Peels

As we get older, with the effect of the sun, air pollution, and many external factors, spots on our skin, scars after acne occur. The chemical peeling process allows the skin to be renewed and makes it look softer and brighter.

What are the benefits of chemical peels (chemical peels)?

With chemical peeling, it is possible to increase the moisture of the skin, reduce stains and some superficial wrinkles, and achieve a brighter appearance in dry, pale, and stained skin.

How is a chemical peel done and how long does it take?

Your doctor chooses one of the three main peeling agents according to the problems in our skin. It should not be forgotten that as the depth of the peeling increases, the results will be more striking, but the recovery time after the procedure will be longer.

Superficial peeling:

It is done with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy (BHA). It can be called a lunch break skin peeling. Its ingredients are glycolic, lactic, and fruit acids (AHA), or salicylic acid (BHA). It is preferred for dry and slightly wrinkled skin. Their application is easy and fast. It is applied under the conditions of the clinic. Anesthesia is not required during the application. A stinging sensation is felt only during the application. The application takes only 10-15 minutes. Your doctor will determine the concentration and duration of the chemical peeling agent according to the characteristics of your skin. There are weekly or monthly application protocols.

Medium depth peeling:

It is done with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) solutions. It is preferred for skin with moderate sun damage, pigmentation, and mild wrinkles. If it will be applied to the whole face, the application takes about 15 minutes. While solutions with low TCA concentrations do not require analgesia, pain relief tablets may be required in applications with higher concentrations. It can be applied under office conditions. During the application, burning and then a stinging sensation is felt. It is applied at 1 or 2 months intervals depending on the condition of the skin. After the application, there is edema on the skin that lasts for about 1 week. Complete recovery occurs in about 7-10 days. White spots may be observed due to the blockage of some sebaceous and sweat glands. These fall off on their own.

Deep peeling:

It is the peeling process using phenol. Generally preferred in the treatment of deep wrinkles and common spots. It is not preferred in very dark-skinned people as it may cause a permanent color decrease on the skin. The whole face application takes about 1 to 2 hours. Small area application such as upper lip takes 10-15 minutes. Phenol peeling of the whole face is usually performed under anesthesia in small operating room conditions. After the application, a special waterproof dressing is applied, which is kept for about two days. Afterward, it is necessary to follow up with some antiseptic powder to be used at home. Skin will also be crusted. The new skin is formed within 7-10 days. While the skin looked red at first, it turns white in a few weeks to a few months. Deep peeling is done in a single session and stunning results are obtained.

 Peeling is (chemical peel) What are the side effects?

  • The most common side effect is the observation of dark discolorations (hyperpigmentation) on the skin. This side effect is mostly temporary. It is usually observed if there is not enough protection from the sun after the peeling
  • Sometimes, color reduction (hypopigmentation) may be observed after chemical peeling.
  • In some patients, the peeling process causes long-lasting redness of the skin.
  • In people carrying the herpes virus, peeling can cause herpes to become active. It is possible to treat herpes lesions with oral, topical acyclovir. Prophylaxis with this drug can be applied to those with a history of cold sores before application.
  • Infection after deep peeling and the formation of permanent scars on the skin secondary to this

Who cannot get chemical peels?

  • chemical peels are not applied to those who have used Accutane (used in acne treatment) in the last 6 months.
  • Those who have active herpes lesions or signs of any skin infection
  • Those with wart lesions on their face
  • Pregnant women
  • People who are prone to the development of keloid and hypertrophic scarring (poor healing of wounds)
  • Those with a history of sun allergy
  • Those who have previously had a bad reaction to chemical peeling
  • who have had radiotherapy in the recent history
  • Those who developed excessive sun exposure and burns in the last 2 days
  • Those who have undergone surgical intervention/laser/cryotherapy in the area to be treated in the last 1 month
  • Phenol peeling is risky in patients with cardiac disease.

What to do before peeling (chemical peeling)?

  • It is necessary to start topical treatments recommended by some protocols 2 weeks before peeling.
  • Creams containing Retin-A and mechanical peeling sponge applications should be stopped 3-4 weeks before peeling.
  • All kinds of epilation procedures should be stopped 3-4 weeks before peeling.
  • On the day of peeling, it is necessary to come without applying any clean cologne or cream.
  • After chemical peeling, you should use topical creams (moisturizing, spot treatment creams) recommended by your skin doctor.
  • After the peeling process, it is necessary to be protected from the sun with at least 28-factor sun cream.
  • On the day of peeling, male patients should not be shaved, and women should not wear makeup.
  • In order to prevent the formation of permanent marks, scratching and all kinds of peeling applications should be avoided.
  • Products containing Retin-A should not be used during peeling sessions. However, it can be used 1 month after the last session.
  • Epilation can be done at the earliest 1 month after skin peeling.
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