Stepping Into The Versatile World Of Chemical Peels

13 August 2021 by Omniya Clinic

A skincare routine is a vital part of a health regime, helping you to combat the impact of ageing and conditions like dry skin, hyperpigmentation, sun damage and acne. If you’re looking for a new treatment to add to your routine, then a chemical peel could be for you.

A versatile, thorough treatment, chemical peels are suitable for men and women and in this article, we’ll go into depth about what’s involved in the treatment and how you choose the right one based on your skin type.

Explaining Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are exfoliation-based treatments that contain a wealth of skin-nourishing ingredients. This includes TCA, retinoic acid, phenol, salicylic acid, kojic acid, vitamin C, antioxidants and more.

All these ingredients come together to produce a range of effects. For example, kojic acid helps to lighten the skin, retinoic acid removes wrinkles and salicylic acid exfoliates the body.

How Are Chemical Peels Applied?

The starting point of any chemical peel treatment is to start with a consultation from a cosmetic specialist. With the different ingredients of a chemical peel, it’s important to talk with a professional who can make you aware of the effects and to analyse your skin type and medical history.

Based on this consultation, you’ll be assigned a suitable chemical peel and there are different types to consider. For instance, a light peel like lactic acid may be applied for a first treatment. For a severe skin condition like acne scarring, a stronger type of peel may need to be applied.

Are Chemical Peels Safe?

Chemical peels are designed to promote healthy skin, but there is a risk of complications and can be dependent on skin type. Possible side effects are:

Darkening skin
Cold sores and itchy skin
Scarring and infection
Allergic reactions

What Types Of Chemical Peels Are There?

Superficial Peels

Superficial peels are the mildest version and remove the top layer of the skin known as the epidermis. They are light enough to be used as part of a monthly skincare routine and treat conditions such as age spots.

Medium Peels

These types of peels exfoliate the top and middle layers of the skin and are generally an aggressive form of skin treatment. You may experience stinging or redness when a medium peel is applied and it can take days of recovery.

Deep Peels

Deep chemical peels impact the deepest layers of the skin and may be recommended for treating scars and severe wrinkles. It has long-lasting results and you’d only be required to go through one session.