Chemical peel is a type of dermatological treatment used to improve the appearance of the skin. The application of a chemical peel will enable dead cells to peel off and healthier new cells to regenerate. Chemical solutions of various properties and concentrations are used to make masks for different purposes.
Chemical peels used in dermatological treatment today can be classified into three types: light, medium and deep peels. Each category of peels is different in strength, length of action and cosmetic benefits. However, just like all medical treatments, the possibilities for the occurrence of adverse effects do exist.
Light Chemical Peels and Their Risks
Light chemical peels are the mildest of all categories. These peels use mostly acids derived from nature and are relatively gentle. Light chemical peels have the highest prevalence in usage. They can be administered to people of all skin types, and some milder peels can be bought from cosmetic shelves for daily use. For those that require clinical administration, the procedure takes only 15 minutes.
Light chemical peels are used to treat only minor skin imperfection or as a part of proactive skin care. After treatment with light peels, the patient will notice improvements in the tone, texture and pigmentation of the skin.
Side effects after light peel treatments are minimal. A few patients experience some skin irritation and mild flaking, but these discomforts are temporary and do not interfere with normal life.
Medium Chemical Peels and Their Risks
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is generally used for medium-depth peels. They are stronger in strength and have longer lasting effects. This type of peels must be applied in a clinical setting, and are recommended only to treat patients with darker skin tones.
Treatment with medium peels can last about 20 minutes, and after treatment, patients will see notable improvements in skin quality. Patients will have significantly reduced the appearance of surface fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, scars and discoloration. The overall skin tone is also highly improved.
Because of the more caustic nature of TCA peels, pre-treatment conditioning of the skin is done to minimize the damage. Side effects that commonly occur after medium peel treatment include minor swelling, pain and discomfort, as well as extreme sensitivity to sunlight. Patients are usually recommended to avoid public activity for a week after the procedure, and are required to wear sun blocks for the next several months.
Deep Chemical Peels and Their Risks
Phenol peels are used as the most penetrating and aggressive treatment. These peels can only be applied once and must be done by a physician (and are only recommended for patients with light skin tones).
Each procedure may take up to 2 hours in time, and the results after treatment are dramatic and long lasting. The skin is much clearer and rejuvenated. The appearance of wrinkles and discoloration is also significantly reduced.
The potency of phenol peels also makes this type of treatment most susceptible to stronger and longer lasting adverse effects, such as:
- Severe skin irritations, swelling, redness and peeling
- Prolonged appearance of sunburned skin
- Permanent loss of pigmentation
- Increased sun sensitivity for life
In addition to the above mentioned side effects, phenol peels may also be risky for patients with heart problems.
