What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a facial treatment that rejuvenates, firms, and plumps the skin. A chemical peel removes the outer layer of dry, damaged skin, revealing the fresh, more youthful-looking skin beneath. At the same time as a chemical peel reveals a smoother, fresh layer of skin, it triggers a boost in collagen production. Your body naturally uses this to restructure the skin, produce new cells, and diminish flaws.

During treatment, a chemical layer is applied to the surface of the skin. This removes the outer layer or layers of the skin, varying in intensity from light to deep–the deeper the peel, the more significant the results, and the longer the recovery time.

Almost anyone who desires to address skin concerns or achieve a more youthful-looking, renewed appearance can benefit from a chemical peel. Chemical peels are an ideal treatment for hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, dryness, and a range of other common skin conditions.

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What Are the Benefits of a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel improves the appearance of the skin on the face, neck, or hands by causing the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off. This removes stubborn dirt and debris, revealing the healthy and fresh layers that live beneath.

The benefits of a chemical peel include the following:

  • Improved texture and skin smoothness
  • Reduced appearance of fine lines
  • Increased collagen and elastin production
  • Increased natural radiance
  • Evened-out skin tone
  • Reduced appearance of scars

What Are The Different Types of Chemical Peels?

Our skin peels use a mild acid to gently encourage the skin's surface to lift off, leaving it more hydrated, brighter, and evenly toned. You can choose from gentle to deeper peels, such as our most effective, the Obagi Blue Peel. The Blue Peel effectively reduces pigment and can be part of the Obagi skincare regime to help improve troublesome skin.

There are three chemical peels:

Superficial Chemical Peel

Also known as a lunchtime peel, alpha-hydroxy acid or another mild acid reaches only the outer layer of skin to exfoliate it gently. A superficial peel improves the appearance of mild skin discoloration and rough and refreshing the face, neck, chest, or hands.

Medium Chemical Peel

Glycolic or trichloroacetic acid penetrates the out and middle layers of skin to remove damaged skin cells, improving age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and moderate skin discoloration. It can also smooth rough skin and treat actinic keratosis.

Deep Chemical Peel

Trichloroacetic acid or phenol deeply penetrates the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells, moderate lines, age spots, freckles, and shallow scars. While patients will notice a dramatic improvement in facial skin appearance, the procedure can only be performed once.

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Am I a Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

If you’re unsatisfied with your skin’s appearance and are in good health, you might benefit from one of the three depths of chemical peel. However, because our facial peels in Glasgow are serious treatments, our aestheticians will review your health history and medications during your consultation to ensure you are suitable for the peel you want.

This review includes screening for a history of:

  • Photosensitivity
  • Abnormal scarring
  • Prior radiation
  • Recent facial surgery
  • Skin conditions
  • Frequent or severe outbreaks of cold sores

We will also determine factors that increase the risk of complications, such as your:

  • Use of isotretinoin or oral contraceptives in the last six months
  • Smoking and pregnancy status
  • Amount of daily sun exposure
  • Personal or family history of scar tissue overgrowth (keloids)
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What Happens During a Chemical Peel

What happens during a chemical peel depends on the depth of the peeling solution. At Elanic, the chemical peel process is generally as follows:

  • During a light chemical peel, we will apply a chemical solution containing glycolic or salicylic acid, and the treated skin will begin to whiten. You could feel mild stinging while the peel gets to work, but we’ll apply a neutralizing solution or wash to remove the chemical peel.
  • We will apply a chemical solution containing trichloroacetic acid during a medium chemical peel, sometimes combined with glycolic acid, for more intense peeling. The treated skin will begin to whiten, and after a few minutes, we’ll apply cool compresses to soothe the treated skin. You might feel stinging and burning for up to twenty minutes; however, no neutralizing solution is needed.

What Recovery and Results Can I Expect?

After a chemical peel of any depth, your skin will be red, tight, irritated, or swollen. For the best chemical peel recovery and results:

  • Follow our directions for sun protection, cleansing, moisturizing, and applying protective ointments to your skin
  • Avoid picking, rubbing, or scratching your skin
  • Use ice packs for any discomfort
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, can help reduce pain and discomfort

It may take several months before redness and swelling reduction, and you can see the full results of the peel. After a light chemical peel, treated areas take up to seven days to heal, and the new skin might temporarily be lighter or darker than usual. With a medium peel, the treated skin may form a crust, darken, or develop brown blotches as swelling decreases. Recovery lasts between seven and fourteen days.

Visible results are subtle but increase with repeated treatments and include the following:

  • Improved skin texture and tone
  • Reduced appearance of fine wrinkles
  • Noticeably smoother skin

Chemical peels provide long-lasting anti-aging, but the results may not be permanent. Age and new sun damage can cause new lines and skin color changes. Additionally, all peels make new skin temporarily more sun-sensitive. You must protect your new skin from the sun for the best results.

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Chemical Peel Side Effects and Complications

A chemical peel can cause various side effects, including:

  • Redness, scabbing, and swelling
  • Rarely a chemical peel can cause scarring
  • Changes in skin color, particularly for people with brown or black skin, sometimes permanently
  • Infection, such as a flare-up of the virus that causes cold sores

You must avoid sun exposure and smoking after a chemical peel because they increase the risk of these side effects.

Trust Elanic for the Best Chemical Peel in Glasgow

Here at Elanic, we’ve curated several highly effective treatments to help you chart a course to the cosmetic outcome of your dreams. Our highly experienced surgical staff is ready to create life-changing results without taking too much time away from your schedule, such as with our chemical peels.

When you’re ready to learn more about how our custom chemical peels in Glasgow can benefit you, our helpful team is excited to help. Contact us today to book a free skin consultation at the Elanic location that’s most convenient for you.

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