What is a chemical peel, and how does it work?

What is a chemical peel and what is its purpose?

Chemical peeling is a dermatological treatment, which for reasons of safety and obtaining the best results, must be performed by a medical professional. It works by 'burning' or 'blistering' the top layer of skin through application of a particular chemical solution, which can help to remove blemishes or other defects. It is a century-old technique that, despite the appearance of many other more sophisticated techniques, is still of value and is becoming more and more practised.

When can a chemical peel be done and who can have one? 

A chemical peel should always be performed in times of low sunshine, so it is not advisable to have one done in summer because the patient is much more likely to experience burning as a side-effect. 

Chemical peeling is suitable for anyone and is a personalised treatment. It also gives a permanent, definitive result. 

How many sessions are needed to get the desired results?

There are two types of peel: superficial; and deep. The number of sessions required depends on the patient's skin type, and how quickly they want results. If a fast treatment is required, deeper, more aggressive peels are used, which require the patient to stay at home afterwards for 8 to 10 days. When the patient wants to go about their daily life as normal, with no disruption, chemical peels with less strength will be used, but more sessions will be required.

How does the skin recover after a chemical peel?

Protection against the sun is fundamental after all peels but the strength of the chemical peel is also significant. Recovery time afterwards depends on the skin type the patient has, and the type of treatment opted for. For some patients a preliminary test may be required to see how well their skin will respond to the peel, which will prolong the time the treatment and recovery takes overall.

When can daily activities be resumed after a chemical peel?

For superficial peels, normal daily activity can be resumed immediately after treatment. For deeper peels, the patient needs to spend approximately 7 to 10 days at home.