In a chemical peel, the top layer of skin is literally “peeled off” to remove discolorations and encourage the formation of new skin. Peels can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage, melasma, acne scars, and other ailments. Dark areas can also be lightened with them.
Chemical agents are used in chemical peels to remove the melanin pigment from the skin, which helps to lighten dark areas. The primary variables that affect treatment efficacy are the type of peel, its concentration, the number of coats, and the time of application. The same variables influence the chance of experiencing negative consequences like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). People with dark skin are more likely to develop PIH, so they should talk to their dermatologist about whether or not a chemical peel is good for them.
Peels are followed by topical creams prescribed by a doctor in the most effective treatments. Before peeling, the skin must first be primed with a topical lotion for a minimum of four weeks. The priming guarantees even peel penetration and lowers the incidence of PIH.
What Kinds Of Chemical Peels Are There?
Chemical peels come in three different varieties. All peels should be coupled with topical dark spot treatments to increase effectiveness. These topical remedies, usually called bleaching creams, are applied to the face and include a combination of substances that lighten or eliminate skin pigmentation.
Skin-surface peels
To eliminate pigment, superficial peels only reach the skin’s outermost layer. The least dangerous improvement comes from superficial peels. This is because more intense peeling agents can increase inflammation and potentially exacerbate pigmentation.
The average healing time for superficial peels is one week or longer.
Moderately deep peeling
The look of age spots, skin discoloration, and other conditions can all be improved with medium-depth peels, which remove the skin’s outer and middle layers. Repeat medium-depth peels every three to nine months to keep your skin clear.
The typical healing time for medium-depth peels is one to two weeks.
Thick peels
Deep peels enhance the look of sun damage, age spots, and other skin imperfections by removing damaged skin cells from the skin’s lower dermal layer. Pre-treatment and many weeks of recuperation time are needed for these peels. Deep peels, however, can have consequences that endure for ten years or longer.
Healing from deep peels often takes two to three weeks.
What Constituents Are Found In Chemical Peels Used To Lighten Dark Spots?
The alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic and lactic acid), beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), and trichloroacetic acid are the superficial peels that are most frequently used to lighten dark areas (TCA).
• The most prevalent alpha-hydroxy acid peel, sometimes referred to as a fruit peel, is glycolic acid (GA). It has no downtime, is easy to use, and is cheap. GA peels have keratolytic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used at concentrations of 30–70% for melasma. For 4-6 treatments, sessions are held two to three weeks apart.
• The action of milk-derived lactic acid (LA) is to weaken the cohesiveness of skin cells. When used twice for 10 minutes every three weeks with double coats of this sort of peel at 92% intensity, black spots can be lightened.
• For over 2,000 years, salicylic acid (SA) has been used to treat numerous skin conditions. Salicylic acid is an excellent agent for peeling because it can exfoliate the stratum corneum or top layer of skin. Peels with a 20–30% concentration aid in removing superficial skin pigment. In addition to leaving a smooth post-peel texture, it induces the skin’s epidermis to shed. Because SA naturally decreases inflammation, it is particularly effective at removing dark spots because it lessens the possibility of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), a close relative of vinegar, operates on the causticity principle (burning). More skin cells will be harmed and destroyed at greater concentrations due to deeper penetration and more damage. It works as a superficial peel when diluted to 15% strength. Monthly sessions are held; there are often four in total.
Tips for After-Treatment Skin Care
Skin discoloration after treatment must be maintained with topical products and sunscreen to avoid recurrence.
The Ara Skin Clinic, Bangalore, suggests the following post-treatment skincare strategies in addition to utilizing maintenance creams and sunscreen:
• Avoid picking at the skin because this might delay healing and leave scars.
• Apply moisturizer to the skin to keep it hydrated.
• Use a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, to protect the skin from the sun. Use sunscreen either before or concurrently with the beginning of your treatment.
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