Chemical peeling of the skin 

chemical peeling

 Chemical Peels is a cosmetic treatment performed by certified doctors, such as a dermatologist, or plastic surgeon for the face, neck and hands, to improve the appearance and texture of the skin, by removing damaged skin cells by applying chemical solutions to the treated skin, which It leads to exfoliation of the skin, and thus the appearance of new skin that is smooth to the touch, and contains fewer wrinkles than before.

 Types of chemical peels

 There are three types of chemical peels, depending on the depth in the skin, and according to the problem to be treated, which are:

 Light or superficial chemical peels:

 Which removes the outer layer of the skin (dermis) using mild acids such as alpha hydroxy to gently exfoliate the skin. This type of chemical peeling is used to treat wrinkles, acne, uneven or uneven skin color, and dryness.

 Intermediate Chemical Peel:

In this method, epidermal cells are removed from the dermis along with the upper parts of the middle layer of the skin called dermis, using Trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid to exfoliate The outer and middle layer of the skin, and this type of chemical peel is used to treat wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin color.

 Deep chemical peel:

In this method, skin cells are removed from the dermis, along with parts of the middle and lower layers of the dermis, using trichloroacetic acid. This type of chemical peeling is used to treat deep wrinkles in the skin, scars, and other cases.

How to perform a chemical peel

Procedures before chemical peeling If a decision is made to perform a chemical peel, several procedures must be taken into consideration, including:

 At first, you should review your personal medical history with your doctor, such as heart, kidney, or liver conditions, and recent medications, especially sun-sensitive medications, and if the person has undergone cosmetic surgeries in the past, in addition to telling the doctor if creams are used. retinoids; Because it improves the permeability of some chemical peel treatments.

Physical examination of the skin to be treated; To determine the color and thickness of the skin, and thus determine the appropriate type of chemical peel for the case.

Discuss expectations and motives for chemical peeling with the doctor, determining the risks, number of treatments, recovery time, and results.

 Take antiviral medications before and after treatment, if you have a history of herpes, or so-called herpes around the mouth.

 Use a retinoid cream before undergoing a light or medium chemical peel. Use a bleaching agent such as hydroquinone and retinoid cream before and after treatment.

 Avoid exposure to the sun, and use sunscreen continuously for a period of no less than four weeks before undergoing a chemical peel.

Avoid cosmetic treatments, hair removal, bleaching, massage, and exfoliation a week before undergoing a chemical peel.

Procedures during a chemical peel

Chemical peels can be performed in surgical outpatient clinics; Where the doctor begins by cleaning the face, covering the eyes with ointment or protective glasses, and light chemical peeling does not need analgesics, and sedatives or sedatives can be chosen in the case of medium chemical peeling, but in the case of deep chemical peeling, the skin can be anesthetized using local anesthesia, or sedatives, and Chemical peeling, according to its type, includes the following procedures:

 Mild chemical peel:

Where the chemical solution is placed on the skin using a piece of cotton, a bandage, a brush, or a sponge, and results in a feeling of light stinging, followed by applying a solution that removes the effect of the chemical solution, or removes it by washing the skin.

 Medium chemical peel:

It occurs by placing a chemical solution on the skin using a cotton-tipped applicator or gauze, and after several minutes cold compresses are placed, in addition to cooling the skin with a hand fan, resulting in a feeling of stinging and burning for a period of 20 minutes.

 Deep chemical peel:

Intravenous fluids are taken, the heart rate is monitored, and the chemical solution is applied using a cotton-tipped applicator at 15-minute intervals. The entire procedure can take up to 90 minutes.

Results and symptoms after chemical peeling

 The recovery period and the results of chemical peels vary according to the type of chemical peel, taking into account that the results are not permanent with the age of the skin, and the damage caused by exposure to the sun leads to the reversal of the results and causes a change in the color of the skin, and among the symptoms that appear after chemical peels, The recovery period, and the results mention the following:

 Light chemical peel results:

 Where the recovery period after undergoing a light chemical peel is between 4-7 days, and it is possible to notice an improvement in skin texture, and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and care must be taken to avoid exposure to the sun before the new skin covers the treated area, and the desired results can be obtained with repeated treatment; So that the treatment is carried out every two to five weeks.

Intermediate chemical peel results:

This type may result in swelling, scaling and brown spots before the appearance of new skin, and the recovery period may range between 5-7 days with redness of a longer period than that, and the treatment can be repeated every 3-9 months to maintain the results, which are smooth skin and it is recommended to avoid the sun Several months after this treatment.

 Results of a deep chemical peel:

 It can result in swelling, redness, a feeling of burning, and swelling in the eyelid, and the recovery period after undergoing this type may reach two weeks, and its results are a dramatic change in the appearance and texture of the skin, taking care to avoid the sun permanently, and can undergo this type Exfoliate only once.

What are the side effects of chemical peeling?

 Chemical peels may cause some side effects, including the following:

Redness of the skin, which is associated with the natural healing of the treated skin several months after a medium or deep chemical peel.

 Infection with some scars on the face, and the use of some antibiotics can reduce the appearance of these scars.

 Discoloration of the treated skin, such as hyperpigmentation after superficial peeling, and hypopigmentation after deep peeling.

Permanent changes in skin color are common on dark skin.

Viral or fungal infections, which are rare.

damage to the heart, kidneys or liver; As deep chemical peels use some compounds that cause irregular pulse, kidney and liver damage, so the chemical peel process is done at intervals of 10-20 minutes.