Chemical peeling

A chemical peel is the application of a chemical solution to the skin, designed to correct a variety of problems including sun damage, mild scarring, remove fine wrinkles and improve irregular hyperpigmentation.

The purpose of a facial chemical peel is to cause the even, controlled shedding of several layers of damaged cells so you are left with a new, fresh layer of skin with a more even texture and colour.

The chemical peel is an outpatient procedure which may be performed in the office or Day Care facility. The procedure can be tolerated without the need for any pain medication but more commonly, oral, intramuscular or intravenous analgesia and sedation may be recommended.

Initially the skin is cleaned with a liquid soap and then further prepared with alcohol or acetone to removal all oils and greases from the skin. Makeup should not be worn on the day of a chemical peel.

The peel itself consists of the application of one or several layers of peel solution to the skin. There is normally a few minutes of stinging and burning after the solutions are applied but this usually stops within five to ten minutes in a given area and there is no more discomfort during the rest of the time you are peeling, although in many cases there is some itching during the healing process.

Inform your Doctor if you have ever had cold sores (herpes simplex), have used intravenous drugs or have had contact with AIDS.

Inform your Doctor of any illness or allergy you have and any medications you take. Use any creams Doctor may have asked you to use prior to surgery.

Chemical peel may be combined with other procedures. Laser Resurfacing may be performed to treat more heavily wrinkled areas or for pitted scarring. Filling agents, e.g. Collagen injection may be required to touch up wrinkles and scars.

As with all procedures complications may occur after chemical peel. The most common would be alteration in skin colour. Patients with dark, olive skin are prone to an increase in skin colour. Doctor may prescribe a cream to use both before and after chemical peel to try and minimise this complication. A mild decrease in skin colour may be noted after deeper facial peeling and there may be a slight demarcation between the peeled and unpeeled skin. The peel is usually ceased underneath the jawline to minimise such an effect.

Mild scarring can occur rarely but is usually responsive to the use of creams and injections. Other sequelae of chemical peel may occur but are amenable to treatment and most are of relatively short duration. These include infection, reactivation of cold sores, persistent redness and a more reactive skin for up to six months or so. Occasionally, due to the use of ointment in the post-peel period, mild acne-like pimples can be noted.