Chemical Peel

In recent times, several cosmetic and dermatological procedures have garnered popularity owing to the growing need for maintaining excellent skin health. One such potent procedure is a chemical peel which can fetch outstanding results if done by an expert dermatologist.

What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is a type of cosmeceutical procedure that can help improve the look and feel of your skin. This skin-resurfacing procedure involves using a chemical solution that is applied to the skin to remove the top layers and foster smoother, brighter, and younger-looking skin.

Before the procedure, the skin is thoroughly cleansed to remove dirt, oils, and makeup, and a numbing cream is applied to reduce discomfort. Thereafter, an appropriate chemical solution is applied and is left on the skin for a predetermined amount of time. Lastly, the skin is properly cleansed, moisturized, and protected with a potent sunscreen.

Chemical peels come in a variety of strengths, from light to deep, and are used to treat wrinkles, blemishes, uneven skin pigmentation, acne scars, etc.

It is best to resort to a competent dermatologist to evaluate your skin for the process and discuss your goals. Depending on the skin issues to be treated, the expert team of dermatologists at Meraki Skin Clinic in Gurugram can suggest you an appropriate type of chemical peel to fetch the desired results.

Types of peels

Chemical peels use a variety of chemicals to peel away the dead outer layers of skin to effectively reveal healthier and younger-looking skin underneath. The following are the quintessential types of chemical peels.

• Light chemical peels

  Light peels are the mildest form of chemical peel and involve the use of milder acids like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs),

  These peels are used to help exfoliate the surface of the skin, treat acne, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and wrinkles, treat sun-damaged skin, improve overall texture, and even out skin tone.

• Medium chemical peels

  The process typically involves the use of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or Jessner’s solutions, which are both stronger than AHAs and BHAs used in light peels.

  The medium chemical peels penetrate deeper into the skin, targeting moderate wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, freckles, and dark patches.

• Deep chemical peels

  Deep peels are the strongest type of chemical peel and are composed of phenol or trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

  These peels penetrate deeply into the skin, targeting deep wrinkles, sun damage, and age spots. Deep peels can also help reduce the appearance of scars and other skin irregularities.

How to prepare your skin for a chemical peel

Here are listed the key steps involved in preparing your skin before a chemical peel. Nonetheless, you must resort to your consulting dermatologist at Meraki Skin Clinic in Gurgaon for the detailed prerequisites of the procedure.

• Taking proper antiviral/ antibacterial medication

  This could be recommended by your dermatologist to avert the risk of any infections before and after the procedure.

• Avoiding sun exposure

  You would need to avoid extreme sun exposure and use appropriate sun protection before the procedure to avoid irregular pigmentation on the treated skin area.

• Avoiding other cosmetic treatments before the process

  Before the chemical peel, you would need to avoid other cosmetic treatments like hair removal processes, facials, scrubs, etc. as suggested by the dermatologist.

How often should you get a chemical peel done?

The frequency of chemical peels depends on many factors, including the type of peel used, the condition of your skin, and your desired results. If you’re dealing with a lot of acne or pigmentation, a series of chemical peels at appropriate intervals may be needed to get the desired results.

It is best to consult with the competent team of dermatologists at Meraki Skin Clinic in Gurgaon to determine the right course of action for your skin.

What are the benefits of a chemical peel?

There are numerous glaring benefits associated with a chemical peel, a few of which are discussed as follows.

1. Improved Skin Texture

   Chemical peels help to exfoliate the skin, removing dull, dead skin cells and leaving behind a smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking complexion.

2. Increased Cell Turnover

   Chemical peels accelerate the rate of cell turnover, which is the natural process of skin cells dying and being replaced with fresh cells. This can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

3. Reduction in Pigmentation

   Chemical peels can help to even out skin tone by reducing the appearance of sunspots, age spots, and other forms of hyperpigmentation.

4. Acne Reduction

   Chemical peels can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars, as well as help to prevent future breakouts.

Tips to care for your skin after a chemical peel

Here are a couple of crucial steps that you must follow after a chemical peel.

1. Avoid direct sunlight

   After a chemical peel, your skin will be more sensitive to the sun. It is important to wear an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen and to avoid direct sunlight.

2. Avoid harsh products

   After a chemical peel, it is important to avoid harsh products that contain irritants such as alcohol, menthol, fragrances, and acids.

3. Moisturize

   Moisturising your skin is essential after a chemical peel to prevent dryness and irritation. It is important to use a gentle moisturizer that does not contain any irritants.

4. Avoid picking

   Avoid picking, scratching, or rubbing the skin in the treated area. This can lead to scarring and further irritation of the skin.

5. Use a gentle cleanser

   After a chemical peel, it is important to use a gentle cleanser to avoid further irritation to the skin.

6. Avoid using products that contain retinol

   Retinol can be too harsh for the skin after a chemical peel. It is best to avoid using any products that contain retinol.

Why home-based peels can be risky for your skin?

Home-based peels can be risky for your skin because they may contain ingredients that are too strong for your skin type, causing irritation, redness, and even burning.

Also, as these peels are not properly monitored by a professional dermatologist, you may not know if the ingredients are reacting to your skin type in an appropriate manner. If a peel is not performed correctly, it can lead to scarring, discoloration, and other skin damage.

Why see an expert before your first session of the chemical peel process?

It is important to see an expert before your first session of a chemical peel process in order to ensure that the procedure is safe and effective for you.

You may seek help from the expert team of dermatologists at Meraki Skin clinic in Gurgaon who will assess your skin type deftly and determine which type of chemical peel would be most suitable for your skin. They will also advise you on the best pre-and post-care for your skin to ensure optimal results.