Over the past few years, chemical peels have become the talk of the town amongst anti-ageing treatments. And there’s a good reason why. These medical-grade skin treatments are extremely effective at treating a myriad of cosmetic skin concerns. Here’s how they work to leave your skin feeling young and radiant.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to the skin. Doing so causes the outer layer of the skin to exfoliate, and peel off within a day or two. The wound healing process that follows begins to stimulate connective tissue and new collagen, which allows the skin to develop a more even colour and texture. Essentially, chemical peels rid your skin of its damaged appearance, in place of fresh and rejuvenated new skin.
What should you expect from a chemical peel treatment? Firstly, the treated area is thoroughly cleansed in preparation for the treatment. Then, the chemical solution is applied to your skin and left in place for roughly 10-20 minutes. Full recovery of the skin can take anywhere between 7-14 days, depending on the strength of the peel you choose.
What Issues Can a Chemical Peel Target?
Chemical peels are effective at targeting cosmetic issues such as acne scars, pigmentation, sun spots, fine lines (like smoker’s lines), freckles, discolouration, uneven skin tone and dark circles under the eyes. Across the board, chemical peels help the skin to appear more even in texture and tone. The final result is a radiant, and more youthful appearance of the skin.
Chemical peels aren’t limited to cosmetic areas on the face. They can be applied to any are where pigmentation, scarring or uneven skin texture/tone is a concern. Get in touch with our doctors to find out whether your area of concern can undergo treatment by a chemical peel.
Do Chemical Peels Hurt?
The sensation that accompanies a chemical peel depends entirely on the strength of the peel. Superficial peels will generally only result in a slight tingling sensation, with the skin feeling sensitive and tight afterwards. Medium and deep peels can often come with stinging sensations during the treatment. Your doctor may decide to administer a low-grade anaesthetic before or during the treatment to ease pain.
Following the treatment, you may feel some discomfort for the first 48 hours as your skin begins to heal. Most patients will apply a soothing aloe vera gel or hydrating moisturiser to alleviate feelings of dryness and sensitivity. Your skin will be susceptible to damage during this time, so we recommend wearing sunscreen and avoiding exfoliators.
Your choice of having a superficial, medium or deep peel will depend on the level of skin damage you’re trying to treat, and the result you’re wishing to achieve. It goes without saying that the deeper the peel, the better the results will be.
Book in for a Treatment
If you want to book in for a consultation to discuss any questions or concerns about chemical peels, we’re happy to help. Our doctors have years of experience with chemical peel treatments. Book now for a cosmetic appointment at Wellcare Medical Centre.
