What is a medical chemical peel?

 

Medical chemical peels, otherwise referred to as chemical skin peels or derma peeling, are used to treat dull-looking skin or skin suffering from blemishes, acne, sun damage, large pores and fine lines. At the Urban Aesthetix Clinic we use the Enerpeel® method of chemical exfoliation as it is kinder to skin.

 

Enerpeel® has been nicknamed the ‘inner peel’ because, unlike traditional medical chemical peels, it works deep within the skin, not on the skin, allowing the acid molecules to be carried deep down before they become activated. This means skin isn’t traumatised on the surface and patients don’t need to suffer from skin irritation, reddening, severe shredding – or extensive downtime.

 

The Enerpeel® skin rejuvenation treatment can stimulate skin re-modelling to reduce lines and wrinkles and plump up the skin, as well as boost collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production for a more youthful look.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a medical chemical peel used for?

Chemical peels are usually used on the face, neck, décolletage, back and hands, although any area of the body can be treated if necessary for concerns ranging from stretch marks to age spots to rosacea. Enerpeel® chemical peels have been specially formulated to treat specific skin conditions with minimal downtime:

 

  • Mandelic Acid 40%: to treat rosacea or skin reddening. This anti-bacterial skin peel contains exfoliating properties and helps to enhance vascular turnover and regeneration.

 

  • Enerpeel® Salicylic Acid 30%: to drastically improve acne specifically as it has an oil production reducing effect. It is most effective in the inflammatory phase of acne.

 

  • Enerpeel® Pyruvic Acid 50%: to treat a broad range of skin complaints, including pore size, hyperpigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles. It can also treat acne if patients are sensitive to salicylic acid.

 

  • Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) 25%: to provide controlled exfoliation and long-lasting results. Used for skin-remodelling, a TCA peel improves texture and tone, colour, age-spots, acne scarring and fine lines and wrinkles.

 

  • Enerpeel® Revised Jessners: to reduce pigmentation and improve the appearance of acne scars.

 

  • Enerpeel® Hands: to reduce sun and age spots and also rejuvenate the skin’s appearance.

 

  • Enerpeel® Neck: to tighten and plump up the skin on the neck and décolletage.

 

  • Enerpeel® Eyes and Lips: to treat the whole eye area and reduce the appearance of smile lines and marionette lines at the corners of the mouth.

What does a medical chemical peel treatment involve?

Treatment is simple and safe if carried out by Dr Unnati who is an experienced and fully qualified clinician, following a detailed consultation to examine the areas to treat and decide on what is best for you.

 

Prior to an Enerpeel® chemical peel, it is usually recommended that the skin will need to be prepared with certain medical-strength skincare products for a minimum of two weeks to ensure optimum results are achieved. These will vary depending on the type of chemical peel to be carried out and your skin type.

 

A key advantage of the Enerpeel® range is that minimal downtime is required and you can resume most normal daily activities immediately afterwards.

How soon should you notice a difference?

You may require a course of 6 – 8 Enerpeel® sessions, no sooner than one week apart.

How long does a medical chemical peel treatment last?

Medical grade products are recommended after a course of treatment to maintain results.

 

After any chemical peel the skin is more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, a high factor sunblock must be applied daily in combination with certain other skin products which help maintain the post-peeling process and promote skin healing and rejuvenation.

 

Further maintenance peels may be required every few months.

Points to consider

Any clinical procedure carries a risk of complications, which is why it is always highly advisable to have cosmetic treatments safely performed by a doctor. Dr Unnati is a GP and specialist Non-Surgical Aesthetic Physician, trained in dermatology and medical cosmetics.

 

The Urban Aesthetix Clinic follows strict guidelines in making patients fully aware of any possible cautions and complications, and in offering post treatment advice. Dr Unnati will undertake a full consultation before any new treatment can be given.

Are there any side effects to chemical peels?

Hyperpigmentation is a potential risk with any injury to the skin, whether accidental or induced. This risk is higher in darker/ ethnic skin types – an area Dr Unnati specialises in.  It can be safely managed with experience such as prepping the skin for long enough to stabilize the pigment cells and choosing an appropriate acid.

 

Risk of infection is lower with these medical peels because there is less surface trauma and, unlike the 14 days downtime needed for normal medium depth peels, no downtime is required with medium depth Enerpeel® chemical peels.

 

If you’re an overseas patient, advance booking is highly recommended in case a course of treatments is required.

When should chemical peels not be used/be used with caution?

 

  • While pregnant or breast feeding
  • With active herpes simplex
  • With active warts
  • After recent use with Roaccutane in the last 6 months
  • After recent surgery with healing wounds
  • After recent radiation treatment
  • After recent Cryotherapy in the last 6 months
  • With recent sunburn or insufficient sun protection
  • With history of Hypertrophic or Keloid Scarring.

 

Chemical peels are used cautiously if any of the following are recent:

  • Exposure to the sun
  • Electrolysis
  • Waxing
  • Depilation
  • Masks & Facials
  • Prior peels, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, light therapy or laser treatments
  • Exfoliators
  • Topical retinoids.