The modern method of Chemical Peeling treats fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and discolorations, renews the damaged skin of the face, and also restores its lost radiance. As the Dermatologist – Venereologist Dr. Konstantina Mamali states, “the excessive exposure to sunlight, the everyday life stress and other unhealthy habits lead to skin aging and make our skin look tired and dull. Chemical Peeling is the ideal treatment for youthful and bright skin.”
As the time passes by, our skin suffers from various factors, such as environmental pollution, sunlight, smoking or alcohol consumption. All these factors, combined with the intense stress of modern life and age, lead to a delay in skin regeneration and cell renewal. The “old” cells stack on the surface of the skin, preventing the new ones from emerging. Thus, our skin acquires a dull appearance, loses its elasticity and several open or closed pores appear. The solution to these problems is provided by Chemical Peeling.
Until recently, Chemical Peels used solutions that caused uncontrollable burns on the skin with often unpredictable results. This, however, led to intense irritation or reduced effectiveness of the treatment. Modern methods increase the efficiency rate and offer even absorption of the chemical peel, with better results and with the least possible irritation.
Areas Of Application
Chemical Peelings are mainly applied on the following areas:
- Face
- Neck
- Décolleté
- Back
- Arms
- For Wrinkles, Fine Lines and Age Spots
- For Acne Scars
Procedure
The process is pretty simple and just 15 minutes are more than enough to complete it. At first, thorough cleansing of the skin takes place and then a specific chemical solution is applied, depending on the patient’s needs.
At this stage, you may feel a slight burn, which depends on the action of the chemical substance and subsides immediately after the neutralization phase. Within the next few days, there is more or less skin exfoliation, depending on the type of chemical agent.
Where it aims
Chemical Peelings are especially useful for people who have spots, freckles, wrinkle or scars, and generally for patients who have discolorations on their skin. Its purpose is to smooth scars and other signs of aging and to offer skin rejuvenation.
- Skin aging: Over time, several changes happen to skin. Skin becomes thinner and wrinkles may appear, mainly because of facial muscles relaxation. Skin aging is usually a normal procedure, however there are several factors that may speed up the process and lead to premature aging, such as sun exposure, smoking and stress. Signs of aging are static wrinkles, skin sagging, thinning, blemishes, freckles, melasma, varicose veins, and elasticity. Chemical peelings can offer a great solution to all of the aforementioned skin problems.
- Scars: Scars created by wound, acne or surgery may lead to significant deformities on the skin surface. Especially for acne scars, Chemical Peelings is one of the most effective treatments that can help smooth the skin texture and improve the overall appearance.
A-Hydroxy Acids (AHA)
They are ideal for the treatment of mild photoaging, active acne and acne scars, fine lines, color disorders and dry skin. The acids that are used are mainly as glycolic acid, lactic acid and fruit acids that have a mild superficial treatment. This type of Chemical Peeling gives a soft and glowing skin, and are commonly selected because they offer fast healing.
Glycolic Acid
It is used in various contents from 30 to 70%. It is ideal for treating color disorders (such as melasma, age spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, chloasma), active acne and acne scars.
Salicylic Acid
It is commonly applied for the treatment of active pustular acne, pharyngeal acne, bursitis, large skin pores, seborrhea and pigmentation disorders.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)
It is used in concentrations of 10-15-20 and 70%. Its main indications are photoaging, radial hyperkeratosis and expression wrinkles. Increased concentrations of 70% are used to treat xanthelasmas. Trichloroacetic acid is mainly used for medium deep peeling. Depending on the extent of the problem, more than one treatment may be needed.
Mandelic Acid
It is used for deep hydration, pores smoothing and sebum regulation. It is also called “Summer Peeling” as it can be safely performed during summer and requires no recovery time.
Azelaic Acid
Suitable for the treatment of active acne, acne scars, rosacea, and pigmented skin lesions.
Kochic Acid
It is ideal for melasma discoloration, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and spots – freckles.
Jessner Solution
Suitable for the treatment of photoaging lesions, expression wrinkles, seborrhea and acne.
Phenol
A very deep peeling with intense exfoliating action. It leads to the complete regeneration of the skin. Suitable for photo-aged skin with intense expression wrinkles and color discolorations, as well as for skin with scars after severe acne. Phenol sometimes leads to hypochromia in the applied areas, so skin color is a determining factor for choosing phenol treatment. It has intense exfoliate action and the recovery time can reach up to 15 days. Special care is required in its use, as it can be accompanied by serious complications.
Results
Chemical Peeling is a treatment in which an acid solution is used to remove damaged outer layers of the skin. It is the most popular facial peeling, as it offers immediately visible results. During the treatment, the outer layers of the dead skin are exfoliated, revealing a new layer with an improved texture.
Through the controlled damage it causes, cytokine release is achieved, resulting in skin thickening, collagen and elastin production, reorganization of the structural elements and increase of the cell volume.
FAQ
Chemical Peeling
How often should I repeat Chemical Peeling treatment?
Surface peelings have weaker effect; thus, they should be repeated every month. Deeper peelings are quite strong and therefore it is recommended to be repeated less often, as they require more healing time. The amount of skin exfoliation depends on the skin type and the patient’s needs, and consequently on the type of solution used.
In general, the deeper the peeling, the more immediately visible its effect, but also the longer the recovery. However, regardless of the depth of the exfoliation, there is a complete skin regeneration and rejuvenation.
In general, depending on the chemical agent used and the depth of penetration, the treatment can be repeated 3-8 times a year. However, the Dermatologist – Venereologist Dr. Amalia Tsiatoura emphasizes that it is very important to follow the instructions for recovery and proper use of the sunscreen after the treatment, in order to have the full benefits of the it.
What should I expect after Chemical Peeling treatment?
Chemical Peeling is especially effective in people who have spots and freckles, wrinkles or scars, and generally in people who have facial skin discoloration. Its purpose is to smooth scars and signs of aging as well as to offer skin renewal.
An important factor in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment is the requirements and expectations of each individual patient. The Chemical Peeling method does not promise permanent facial regeneration. The face and skin are living organisms that are subject to deterioration over time. Each patient should, therefore, be aware of the possible effects, as well as of the appearance of mild erythema in the first days after treatment.
The deeper the penetration of the chemical solution, the more immediate its effects visibility, and proportionally increasing the required recovery time.
Is Chemical Peeling the ideal treatment for me?
The proven personalized effectiveness of chemical peeling makes it an ideal choice for men and women of all ages who wish:
- Photoaging treatment
- Wrinkle and Fine Lines Reduction
- Elimination of Discolorations, Stains, Freckles, Melasma
- Active Acne Treatment
- Acne Scar Treatment
- Treatment of Eyelid Xanthelasmas
- Treatment of Radial Hyperkeratosis
Which is the best time to undergo a Chemical Peeling treatment?
The ideal period is after the end of summer and more specifically, during the months when there is no intense humidity and sunshine. Sun exposure should be avoided after the treatment and the use of a sunscreen with a high protection index is essential.
Exception is the use of Mandelic Acid that can be safely applied even in the summer months, winning the title of “Summer Peeling”.
How long does the effect of Chemical Peeling last?
The results of Chemical Peeling are not permanent, as the continuous aging of the facial skin, together with the exposure to extreme environmental conditions lead to the reappearance of wrinkles and facial marks. However, with proper and systematic skin care, the results can last for a long time.
To whom is Chemical Peeling contraindicated?
Chemical Peeling is not recommended for people with infections, or people with skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis, as well as for people with open sores on the face. The suspicion or existence of skin cancer or more specifically, melanoma, is an inhibitory factor for the application of this treatment.
Also, people with sunburn are not allowed to do Chemical Peeling treatment. Finally, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid Chemical Peeling treatment.
What are the advantages of Chemical Peeling?
- It is a non-invasive, painless and bloodless treatment
- It has a very short recovery time
- It allows immediate return to daily activities and work
- It gives an immediately visible result
- It has no side effects, except for a local erythema (redness) in the area which subsides on its own after a while
- It is ideal for all skin types and all ages
Why choose Cosmetic Derma Medicine for Chemical Peeling?
Cosmetic Derma Medicine Medical Group is the largest and most specialized medical group with 16 clinics in Greece & Cyprus and more than 15 years’ experience in the field of Aesthetic Dermatology and Plastic Surgery.
Medical Director of Cosmetic Derma Medicine is the Dermatologist – Venereologist Dr. Amalia Tsiatoura, while the staff consists of a large medical team of extremely experienced and specialized doctors and a fully trained nursing team.
At Cosmetic Derma Medicine we offer a variety of chemical peels, depending on the problem we want to deal with, so the treatment is completely personalized and can be done even in the summer using a special peeling with mandelic acid. All solutions used are CE-certified and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).