Chemical Peels - Can Anyone Go For Them?

Different kind of peels use different kind of chemicals of varying strengths to perform the treatment. There are three different kinds of peels, which are categorized as superficial, medium-depth, and deep peels. Superficial peels use mild acids to treat the skin by removing the dead cells present on the skin surface. Medium-depth peels use slightly stronger acids to remove the dead layers below the epidermis. Deep peels use a high concentration of acids like trichloroacetic acid, which can penetrate down to the deep layers of the skin.

Superficial peel works the best for rough or blotchy type of skin. It stays on the skin for only a few minutes. It provides brightening and smoothening effect by lifting the surface cells and revealing a fresher and more radiant skin tone. But it won't make much impact on scars and deeper lines. Superficial peel is best for people with minimal traits of aging, sun damage, and acne scarring.

Chemical peels can be painful, depending on the peeling treatment you plan to choose. It may range from mild soreness in the case of a superficial peel to a burning pain sensation during a deep peel. Pain usually lessens after the treatment, but the skin may take months for full recovery, depending on the type of peeling treatment. The chemical peel may have a few side effects such as redness, itching, irritation, and swollen appearance. Although these side effects are temporary, an appropriate follow-up care is necessary.

Deep chemical peels usually require extensive local anesthesia or systemic sedation. In a few cases, it may also require general anesthesia.