Chemical Peels

Chemical Peel
From 180 SGD per area

An age-old treatment still depended on today

Dating back to the time of Cleopatra, mild acids have been known to rejuvenate and produce rejuvenating effects on the skin.

As the acids and techniques have been refined over the years, chemical peels are used for a diverse range of indications in dermatology.

What are Chemical Peels Used For?

There are a wide range of chemical peels, ranging from alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, to combination-based peels. Each acid peel has been found to benefit the skin slightly differently, and therefore can be used to treat different problems:

1. General Rejuvenation
2. Melasma and other forms of pigmentation
3. Acne
4. Acne scars (TCA CROSS – Trichloroacetic acid chemical reconstruction of skin scars)
5. Skin laxity

Don't Acids Thin My Skin?

Chemical peels, like lasers, cause deliberate, controlled damage to the upper layers of the skin. Done under strict medical supervision and given sufficient healing times between each session, the skin is allowed to benefit from the effects of the acid (pigment breakdown, reduction in sebaceous gland activity, scar resurfacing, etc) without being unnecessarily thinned.

In fact, done properly and at regular intervals, the upper layer of dead skin is exfoliated, and deeper layers of the skin are stimulated to produce collagen, resulting in more supple and radiant skin – contrary to the fears of the skin being thinned out.

Am I A Candidate?

Chemical peels act as a controlled form of exfoliation. It also reduces oil secretion and promotes rejuvenation processes. As such, most people will benefit from chemical peels, even if it’s just for maintaining their skin quality.

Chemical peels are best combined with another pigment, acne or scar management therapies such as lasers for a more thorough treatment.

FAQs

1. What does the procedure involve?

Depending on the issue at hand, an acid peel is placed on the face and left for about 2 minutes. Several more layers may be done to increase the strength of the peel.

Acne scars, such as ice pick scars, are managed with a stronger acid – trichloroacetic acid, that is placed only into the scars to remodel the scarred tissue.

2. Is the procedure painful?

A biting or prickly sensation is felt over the face during the treatment and lasts for about 2 minutes for each layer. This is bearable and made more comfortable with cold air during the procedure.

3. How long does each session take?

The procedure typically takes about 10 minutes​.

4. Is there any downtime?

Immediately after the procedure, the face is pink.

The skin then turns slightly brown and feels tight from day 2 after the procedure.

This brown skin then starts to shed, and peeling can last between 3 to 7 days depending on the strength of the peel, revealing new, fresh skin beneath it.

5. Are there any possible side effects?

Chemical peels are invariably acids, and inappropriate selection of acids or amount/duration of acid applied can lead to burns. This can result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation marks or even scars, though rare.

Some patients with melasma getting a chemical peel for melasma can get a flare from intial peels.

6. How often should i be doing a chemical peel?

This depends on the issue being treated.

Acne scars, once resurfaced, are largely permanently remodelled. As such, you can expect to need 2 to 3 sessions of strong peels over 3 months.

Pigmentation, especially melasma, is a chronic and recurrent issue. Peels are usually combined with lasers and topical therapies and are performed once every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the treatment plan.

Acne, too, is a chronic issue until puberty ends (sometime continuing into adulthood). Chemical peels act to control sebaceous gland activity and after an initial intensive treatment period (once every 2 weeks for 4-6 sessions), a maintenance session will be required once every 4 to 8 weeks.

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