Feel like getting rid of those lines and imperfections on your face? Then chemical peels could be your solution.
Chemical peels can be performed on the neck, hands, and face. They are particularly indicated in reducing fines lines below the eyes and around the mouth. Various peels can also be used to treat acne, as well as skin damage due to age or sun exposure.
Operative discomfort is minimal. However, because the chemical peel brings new skin to the surface, the treatment area will be temporarily sensitive to sun exposure following treatment. Your experienced physician will provide you detailed instructions on limiting your sun exposure following treatment.
The treatment starts by applying a chemical solution that soaks into the skin, causing it to blister. Over the next few days depending on how deeply the solution has penetrated, the skin then peels off to reveal fresher, softer skin under the old layer.
There are three main types of peels that are used to improve the appearance of pigment changes in the skin, acne scars, mild sun damage, or fine wrinkles in all skin types. Chemical peels can also be carried out in conjunction with laser treatments for a more dramatic result.
Pigmentation is the skin’s natural defense shield against the potentially carcinogenic effects of UV rays in sunlight. The skin, which is naturally endowed with melanin, produces more of this pigment in response to sunlight. However, there comes a point when it all goes out of control as a result of overexposure or age-related changes in the skin – or both factors working in tandem. Hyperpigmentation may also manifest as melasma. Acne can leave behind deeply pigmented spots.
Whatever the origin of hyperpigmentation, there is a slew of techniques and technologies to deal with it. Your dermatologist may often select TCA Peel (trichloracetic acid), a non-toxic peel which is a chemical cousin of vinegar. TCA has been in use for over two decades now and has proved to be an efficacious solution. In certain cases, especially melasma, many lasers are difficult to use but deep-acting TCA can get right down to the problem.
The primary challenge with hyperpigmentation is that its signposts show up at the epidermis while it resides in the deeper layers of skin. Now all peels work by removing a layer of sun-damaged skin. To go deeper, they need to be applied in ever greater concentrations which bears the attendant risk of complications such as uneven action and scarring in some instances. That’s why TCA Peels are an excellent choice. They can be made to work at various depths with a more moderate action.
When TCA is applied to the skin, it causes the top layers of cells to dry up and peel off – not instantaneously but for up to a week. Old skin gives way to new. A new layer of undamaged skin emerges, which has a smoother texture and more even tone.
It can be used on various parts of the body – the face, neck, chest, back, arms, and legs. However, a lot depends on the expertise of the dermatologist because factors such as the response of an individual’s skin to various concentrations can be difficult to predict.
You can expect clearer, smoother, more even-toned skin as the TCA Peel achieves a reduction in brown spots and age spots, and refines the texture of leathery, sun-damaged skin.
It is important to remember that the in-clinic session is only the beginning of the peeling process. You will usually peel for about one week with a medium peel. If you are light-skinned, your skin will be a light yellow after the procedure for 1-2 hours. This color will gradually fade. The skin will feel tight and stay slightly redder for 2-3 days after the peel.
When can I see the effect of TCA-Peel?
It takes about 7-10 days to see the effect of TCA-peeling, basically once the peeling stops.
How often do I need TCA Peel?
One can do a TCA peel every 15 days to 1 month.
What is the cost of TCA Peel?
The price varies depending on the area being treated.