Facts About Chemical Peels

In a chemical peeling process, a chemical solution is first of all applied on the skin which gets absorbed completely. The skin gets peeled off in a week or two depending on the extent of penetration of the solution on skin. Emergence of new skin takes place while certain portions of the skin get destroyed. The chemicals used for the peeling process may be exfoliating or wounding agents.

Chemical peels are of several types. Different peels use different types of chemical solutions which can have varying penetration effects on skin. Good results depend on several factors such as the time allowed before the acid gets neutralized, the concentration of acid in the peeling agent and the number of times the peel is applied on skin. Greater risk and longer healing time are the disadvantages of deeper peels. The three basic types of peels are mild peels or superficial peels which can be used on all skin types. Medium peels penetrate the skin more deeply than superficial peels and can even cause second degree burns on skin. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the main peeling agent used in such peels. Chemical peeling in this case involves various steps.

Deep peels are generally used only on the face and can soak through several layers of skin. They also lead to second-degree burning of the skin. A chemical called Phenol is used in the case of deeper peels. Such peels are not suitable for darker skin tones as they can bleach the skin. Even in the case of light skinned people, deep resurfacing can bleach the skin but the results are much less visible.

The best way to know about which chemical peel which would suit you best is to consult your doctor. He/She will be able to guide you regarding the selection of an appropriate chemical solution and peel that would be most suitable for your skin type. You can also know about other issues pertaining to the use of chemical peels and the kind of results you can get. To have a better idea about the results a small “test spot” may be peeled initially, especially for people with darker skin.