The chemical peeling is an application method that aims to create controlled damage to the skin at the various depths and to reveal a healthy skin by applying one or more chemical agents to the skin. The purpose of the chemical peeling is to cause damage to the desired depth in the skin layers and to treat various lesions by taking advantage of the wound healing during the regeneration.
It is a peeling method made with the fruit acids. The herbal peeling is made with the glycolic acids obtained from the sugar cane, lactic acids found in the milk, etc. applicable. More commonly known names are alpha hydroxy acids. Since these are very small molecules, they can easily pass through the epidermis (the uppermost layer of the skin). However, they cannot pass into the dermis, which is the lower layer. By triggering the regeneration of the cells in the epidermis, they increase their tolerance to the external factors. Apart from the cell renewal, it is also successful in the treatment of the superficial stains of the epidermal origin.
Another superficial peeling is peeling made with the salicylic acids. This substance affects the epidermis (the uppermost layer of the skin) more superficially. It is mostly preferred in the treatment of acne, black and white spots and secondarily in the treatment of spots.
It can be returned to the daily life immediately after the procedure.
The TCA – Trichloroacetic Acid (10% – 35%) and glycolic acids are made. To correct the effects of photo aging, including the treatment of pigment changes, mild to moderate wrinkles by causing destruction in the deep layer of the dermis where the sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles are located, and also in the pre-cancerous skin that occurs on the sun-exposed skin, especially on the face, hands, forearms and neck. It is an effective method in the treatment of the actinic keratosis, a skin disease.
After the procedure, the face takes on a red color. Later, the skin color darkens to brown and the skin begins to shed within 2-3 days. The healing process takes about 1 week. To accelerate the healing process, the skin should be kept clean, and moisturizing pomade should be applied after washing several times a day.
It is a peeling method made with the TCA (50%), Bakers, Phenol and Jessner's solutions. The serious peeling is carried out. It is very effective in the treatment of acne and acne scars, scars, skin blemishes and wrinkles. Because it is a painful and painful procedure, it is performed under the local anesthesia. The process after the procedure is quite painful. The regular use of the pain relievers is required. The swelling is seen on the face that lasts for 1-2 weeks. There is a healing period of about 1 month, and it can take up to 3 months for the rash to completely heal. It is much more effective than the other chemical peeling methods and its effect lasts for a long time. It is a more suitable peeling method for the individuals having the light skin structure due to the possibility of permanent discoloration in dark-skinned people.
What are the conditions that need to be inspected before the Chemical Peeling?
- Active infection and open wounds
– Active herpes virus infection
– Medium or deep peeling in the last 3-12 months
– Recent facial surgery
– History of abnormal scar formation, keloid history and delayed wound healing
– History of the radiotherapy
– Fitzpatrick skin type IV, V, VI
– Having an Aspirin allergy for the salicylic acid peeling
– Anticoagulant use
– Heavy smoking
– Pregnancy/breastfeeding
– Risk of the exposure to the intense sunlight
– Past surgical interventions (at least 6 months should be waited)
Session Duration and Number of Sessions
The sessions average 30 – 60 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated in the progress.
Although the number of the sessions varies from person to person, the case and type of application, in average superficial peeling applications 4 - 8 sessions at 2 - 4 week intervals,
2 – 4 sessions at intervals of 2 – 4 months in the medium-depth peeling applications, and in the deep peeling applications, a single session is usually sufficient.
Pre-Treatment Warnings
– The hair dye and perm should not be done at least 1 week before the chemical peeling process.
– The spring and winter months should be chosen as much as possible for the treatment.
Post-Treatment Warnings
It is avoided from the exposure to the direct sunlight and solarium. This sensitivity should be applied as much as possible for 6 months. The high factor sunscreens should be used during this period. It is among the preventive measures to use hats and glasses in summer.
– Do not take a shower on the first day; a warm shower should be preferred for 1 week.
– There is no harm in applying make-up after 2-3 days. The lip and eye make-up can be done.