Skin peel treatment for a fresher, blemish-free face

Procedure Summary

You would have heard that the Roman and Egyptian elite, like queen Cleopatra, used to bath in milk. Well in fact it was sour milk, which contains Lactic acid and was used as a mild chemo-exfoliant. Throughout the Middle Ages, various food and plant based acids were used to the same effect. More recent developments meant that stronger chemicals began to be used for deeper penetrating skin peels, such as phenol in WWI and TCA in the 1980’s. Many of these acids are still used today as a very effective treatment for restoring the appearance of the skin.

What can a chemical peel do for you?

Chemical peels can be applied to most areas of the body. For instance, any woman wishing to wear an off-the-shoulder dress would benefit from a fresh, radiant neck and shoulders; or people with superficial scarring and blemishes on their back can greatly improve their skin quality with a skin surface peel. The most common applications of chemical peels are to improve the appearance of the face, and sometimes the backs of the hands.

The chemicals used in the treatment determine the depth of the peel which, in turn, determines the effect it has on the skin. There are three types of peel: superficial, medium, or deep. Superficial peels are the commonest types of peel and they are intended to remove the top layer of dead skin cells (exfoliation) to leave the skin with a healthy glow. Medium peels involve the application of stronger solutions to reduce small wrinkles, medium acne scars and decrease the appearance of more serious pigmentation problems. Deep peels are a more specialised area intended to reduce the appearance of more deep-set wrinkles, facial lines and scars.

“I like to have a treatment before a special occasion,” said one woman who enjoys the occasional Superficial Peel. “It’s a bit like dusting the furniture before a guest arrives – I like to get rid of the old, rough skin so that I can look my best.”

The chemicals used in a skin peel will be selected to suit your particular needs, and your suitability for the treatment will be discussed during your initial consultation with the practitioner. However, you must be aware that a chemical peel will not provide a remedy for loose skin or severe facial marking.

What a chemical peel involves

To prepare the skin and to facilitate the healing process, some practitioners prescribe a pre-treatment 1-2 month before the chemical peel takes place. In addition, electrolysis and sunbeds should be avoided for 2 weeks before treatment.

Superficial Peels
This treatment uses a combination of alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) and betahydroxy acids (BHAs) such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, salycilic acid and maleic acid, and it lasts for a few minutes and leaves your skin slightly pink and feeling tight for 2 hours afterwards. Regular treatments are needed to maintain the effect.

Medium Peels
This treatment uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA), sometimes in combination with glycolic acid. During application you may feel an intense tingling sensation. In the days afterwards your skin may go quite redish and take up to six weeks to return to normal. Regular treatments are needed every 6-12 months to maintain the effect.

Deep Peels
This treatment uses phenol (a strong form of trichloroacetic acid). During application, which may last for 30 minutes or so, your face will feel as if it is freezing (although it is not). You may require a local anaesthetic and a sedative, and painkillers for after the procedure. Some peeling of the skin will take place, and you will experience redness and discomfort for a few days afterwards. No follow up treatment is necessary as the effect is permanent.

Following a deep peel you should use sunblock, only apply face cleansers etc. that have been recommended by your practitioner and avoid make up for the first couple of days. Within 2 weeks, most of the swelling and discomfort will have gone (although some people experience some redness up to three months after the procedure). As with all cosmetic surgery, it is essential to follow the advice of your practitioner after the procedure. This will make the outcome as successful as possible and reduce the risk of complications.

“I suffered from terrible acne when I was a teenager,” said one man, now in his twenties. “Although a deep peel felt like undergoing minor surgery, it gave my face the chance to grow fresh, unmarked skin; and it gave me back my self-confidence.”

Who should carry out your chemical peel?

The price of a superficial peel starts at approximately £50 for one session. This procedure can be performed by a range of suitably trained practitioners as well as health professionals, such as doctors and nurses. A medium peel is likely to cost at least £100 per session, though a course of around 4 sessions will be necessary to gain the desired effect. This procedure requires a greater medical understanding and should only be performed by doctors and surgeons. You can expect to pay up to £3,500 for a deep peel treatment. Deep peels are the most invasive of the chemical peels and they should only be carried out by an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon.  

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