Home made Chemical Peel - Facial and Acne Chemical Peel

What are Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels come in many different varieties. They are best classified by the degree to which they penetrate the skin. Depth of skin penetration determines the extent to which the skin can be rejuvenated. During this procedure a chemical is wiped on the skin, left on for a specified length of time, and then removed. Superficial chemical peels come in either salon or prescription strength, both referred to as "lunchtime peels" because they are virtually free of side effects and the person can return to work within the hour without anyone there knowing that the procedure was done. The term "peel" is really a misnomer, because not much peeling occurs. These peels cause an improvement in the skin that lasts from several weeks to months and need to be repeated to maintain their effect. The results are enhanced when they are used with a daily home regimen of alphahydroxy acids and/or the anti-wrinkle cream Renova.

Salon-strength superficial peels are usually made from a low concentration of glycolic acid (an alphahydroxy acid), and are performed by staffs in salons and other spas. These superficial peels gently exfoliate the skin, giving it a temporary, but refreshing healthy glow. Salon peels are probably insufficient to restore sun-damaged skin or to fade brown spots.

Prescription-strength superficial peels are made from varying concentrations of glycolic acid (usually 30 to 70 percent free-or available-acid), 20 to 30 percent salicylic acid, 10 percent trichloracetic acid (TCA), and an agent called Jessner's solution. This type of peel is performed in a dermatologist's or plastic surgeon's office. The procedure gives the skin a healthy glow, and when repeated, reverses some of the features of sun-damaged skin. These peels can also help lessen irregular blotchiness and unwanted brown spots such as miasmas. Their effect on reversing sun damage and unwanted brown spots is enhanced with the use of daily bleaching creams, Azelex cream, or Retin-A. No sedation or local anesthesia is necessary for superficial chemical peels, as they are, at most, only slightly uncomfortable.

Superficial "lunchtime" peels are generally safest for lighter-skinned people, but some dermatologists think that they can be safely used on all skin colors. Salicylic acid peels are somewhat safer than other superficial peels for darker skinned individuals. The main risk of these peels is the possibility of irregular pigmentation. The procedure occasionally causes facial redness and peeling for several days. Fortunately, these side effects are uncommon, but if they occur you should notify your dermatologist immediately.

Medium-depth chemical peels can be performed with higher concentrations of TCA (20 to 40 percent), or by combining lower strengths of TCA with Jessner's peel or high strength glycolic acids. (Many dermatologists prefer medium-depth peels in a paste rather than liquid form, because pastes tend to give more consistent results.) By definition, all medium-depth peels are deeper, more effective, and have a longer-lasting outcome than superficial chemical peels. One peel generally lasts for up to a year. They are usually reserved for people who want to improve moderate to severe sun damage, or (less commonly) to remove unwanted pigmentation and precancerous growths called solar keratoses. Because medium-depth peels can be quite uncomfortable, an oral sedative is often prescribed prior to the procedure. Peeling can last from several days to two weeks, so these individuals may want to take a few days off from work after such a procedure. Because excessive peeling or skin erosions may occur, you need to follow the aftercare instructions of your dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Medium-depth chemical peels are typically enhanced by using the anti-wrinkle cream Renova for several weeks beforehand.

Risks include severe peeling, increased irregular pigmentation, activation of herpes infection on the face, and scarring. These risks are uncommon. Deep chemical peels are comparable in strength to laser skin re-surfacing, and are usually performed with a chemical called phenol. As with laser resurfacing, they are best reserved for people who want to reverse the effects of severe sun damage and wrinkles. Phenol peels, like the super pulsed CO2 laser, also help reduce acne scarring and unwanted brown spots. The result of a phenol peel is very long lasting and usually does not need to be repeated. Unlike lasers, phenol peels have been performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons for over thirty years and thus have a very good track record.

Because the pain from a phenol peel is similar to the pain from CO2 laser resurfacing, intravenous sedatives or anesthesia is used. After applying the phenol peel, petrolatum is usually applied to the skin for forty-eight hours. These peels rarely cause permanent heart damage, but heart monitoring is essential during the procedure. Intravenous fluids are also given to help reduce the risk of kidney damage. Phenol peels are usually performed in several segments taking from sixty to ninety minutes to complete. One can expect severe redness, peeling, and sometimes scabbing after a phenol peel. At least several weeks may pass before the results of younger, healthy-looking skin are seen. Obviously, it is necessary to follow very specific physician instructions in order to reduce unwanted risks, which can include increased blotchiness, long-lasting redness, and scarring.

Used primarily to decrease the appearance of wrinkles, sun spots, and blotchiness, and to enhance an overall healthy glow to the skin, chemical peels are not substitutes for face-lifts and do not repair sagging skin.

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