Chemical peels

The principle of chemical peels action

Chemical peels remove the surface layers of the skin with weak acid solutions.

Thanks to the procedure, several layers of dead cells are evenly removed. Young cells appear after a certain period, skin rejuvenation begins, the synthesis of elastin and collagen is activated.

Three principles of chemical peels

• stimulation of the growth of the upper and middle layers of the epidermis, which is performed by removing keratinized cells;
• removal of several layers of skin together with their defects;
• change in the dermal tissues, which occurs due to a short-term and rather strong inflammatory reaction.

Advantages of chemical peels

The life of a cell is 28 days. Its life cycle consists of several stages: cell maturation, appearance on the surface of the epidermis, and die-off.

Dead cells gradually accumulate, clog pores — the renewal of the skin and the process of penetration of useful substances inside the epidermis significantly slow down, and thus, the aging process is accelerated.

Due to chemical peels, skin cover totally cleans out from the horny layer. The upper layers begin to renew, the metabolic process increases.

Specifics of chemical peels

It should be taken into consideration, that the acids involved in the chemical peels process cause superficial chemical burns.

The depth of the burn depends on such factors as: the type of acid, its concentration, the place of treatment, the individual characteristics of the body.

Chemical peels prevent:

• skin hyperpigmentation;
• chrono- and photo-aging;
• acne (post-acne);
• hyperkeratosis (severe thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis);
• striae (stretch marks);
• skin sagging.

Types of chemical peels:

• superficial;
• medium;
• deep.

Superficial peel

Superficial peel is considered the most attenuated. Its effect is limited to the surface layers of the skin.

Different scrubs, alpha-hydroxyl acids (lactic, salicylic, etc.), glycolic acid are used for the procedure. Chemical peels do not injure the skin. In the first few hours after the procedure, a slight redness appears.

As a result, the skin is visibly renewed. It becomes matte, fresh, with an even, healthy hue. Anesthesia is not needed during the procedure.

Medium peel

The medium peel, respectively, affects the middle layers of the dermis. In this case, trichloroacetic acid is used. The procedure eliminates unaesthetic pigment spots, small scars and cicatrixes, improves skin color, and smoothes wrinkles.

Rehabilitation after medium peel

Rehabilitation will require one week of rest, as the skin will remain bright red for several days — after this period the dead cells begin to exfoliate intensively. After 7-10 days, the skin already looks young and clean.

Deep peel

Deep peeling reduces deep wrinkles. It also fights cicatrixes, hyperpigmentation, and hyperkeratosis. Deep peels are performed only in a hospital setting. Phenol is used for the procedure, but its capabilities are very limited due to the high risk of scarring.

Results of chemical peels:

• the process of skin regeneration is intensified;
• the turgor and color of the skin improves;
• the skin’s firmness, elasticity and tone increase;
• collagen is actively produced;
• wrinkles are «smoothed out»;
• acne disappears due to the restoration of the process of sebaceous excretions;
• congestion in the skin is eliminated.

Contraindications of chemical peels:

• inflammatory processes, burns, etc.;
• allergic and oncological skin diseases.