CHEMICAL PEELING

At your initial skin assessment you may be advised to consider a Chemical Peel as part of your Skin Rejuvenation Programme.

Chemical peeling is an ancient art that has been embraced by modern medicine to produce a safer and more predictable effect.

Chemical peeling uses a dilute caustic solution which when applied to the skin burns off the top layers removing superficial blemishes and stimulating the growth of new collagen.

Facial skin is most commonly peeled but any area of the body can be treated including the neck, chest, back and hands.

The effects produced depend upon the type of peel performed. At Plastic Surgery Partners - Facial Aesthetics we undertake

Superficial/Weekend peels

Medium depth/Obagi Blue peels

Generally following a peel the skin will become dry like a severe sunburn effect and then peel off over a number of days. Like the Skin

In the Rejuvenation Programme the type of peel used will be tailored to your individual needs. The deeper the peel the longer the skin will take to return to "normal" and the more dramatic the resultant effect. We undertake "Weekend peels", "Designer Peels", "Superficial Peels", and Medium Depth Peels"

Before having one of the deeper peels the skin must be prepared for between 4 to 12 weeks with a Skin Pre Treatment Regime the length of the regime being pre determined by your individual skin type i.e. darker skin needs longer preparation than pale Celtic skin.

The conditions most suitable for chemical peeling are:

Fine lines and wrinkles

Mild Acne scarring

Sun Spots (brown patches/spots)

Keratoses (dry flaky spots)

"Orange peel skin" (dilated pores)

Some of the above conditions may require a more or less invasive treatment using modern laser treatments. See Laser skin Rejuvenation and Skin Laser Resurfacing.

Skin Peeling
An ancient technique, practised for centuries

The technique involves application of caustic solutions to the skin causing a controlled removal of the upper layers

This removes superficial skin and those superficial lesions which result from ageing or excessive sun exposure

The peel also stimulates fibroblasts in the dermis (deeper skin layer) to produce new collagen, thereby reversing the natural process of ageing

The peel is sensitive but can be tolerated by most individuals with the aid of pain killers as an out patient

The procedure lasts approximately 30 minutes and no dressings are needed

There is no pain after the peel

The skin will tighten like a mask after 2-3 days and cracks will appear around the mouth

The skin will start to flake and peel off after 3 days a process which lasts between `5-7 days depending upon the depth of the peel

After the peel is completed the skin may be red for between 2-6 weeks but this is easily covered with makeup

Sufferers of cold sores should inform the doctor prior to the peel as an attack can be triggered in susceptible individuals. Anti viral medication can prevent this

Significant sun exposure should be avoided for 3 months after the peel and high factor (30) sun block should be used for 6 months to avoid unwanted darkening of the skin

Advice about the post peel skin care will be given to you.- .- before the peel and the Aesthetician will monitor your after care

Peels can be repeated for additive effects

TYPES OF PEEL

Exfoliation

Examples include glycolic acid or fruit acid peels

Removes the epidermis only has no long term effect

May produce pigment changes as an unwanted side effect

The Phenol Peel

A deep peel

Damages melanocytes giving white skin

Can cause heart arrhythmias

Produces a smooth porcelain skin

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)

A light to medium depth peel

The depth of peel is determined by its concentration and number of coats

The deeper the peel the more effective it is!

The deeper the peel the more complications!

Obagi® BluePeel

Uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in safe levels to produce a controlled and predictable level of peeling.

Technique

Depending on the skin type and colour, the patient prepares the skin under the guidance of an aesthetician for a period of 4-20 weeks, before commencing the peeling process, to ensure rapid healing and avoid unwanted pigment changes in the skin

It is an out-patient, office treatment

Takes around 30 minutes

Some discomfort during peel for approximately 2 minutes following each application

No post treatment pain

No dressings

The skin peels after 3 days, for a period of 5-10 days depending on the depth of the peel

Each peel is designed specifically for each individual patient Can be repeated for additional effect

Safe and cost effective