Skin Peels:
Your questions answered
When people think of peels, their first though is usually of faces falling off in “10 Years Younger”. This is the most aggressive form of peel (a phenol peel) which is performed when asleep under a general anaesthetic. It is very rare to have a general anaesthetic just for this peel and so it is rarely performed on its own.
There is a wide spectrum of peels from the very mild to the one I’ve already mentioned. The stronger the peel, the deeper it reaches and so the better the results. However, this also means longer “downtime” (the amount of time that you have visible peeling). The mildest peels will give a gentle exfoliation without any downtime whatsoever but will do little to treat acne scarring, sun damage and other deeper problems. A medium depth peel may result it gentle shedding of the skin for a few days but will give excellent results.
Who would benefit from a peel?
Peels can treat a whole range of problems. A very gentle peel will exfoliate and freshen skin to give a youthful glow. Deeper peels can treat acne, pigmentation, fine wrinkles, skin laxity, large pore size and poor skin tone & texture.
How do peels work?
Many different types and strength of acids are used in peels but the method of action is the same for all. The acid penetrates the skin and encourages the top damaged layers of skin to shed. The peeling starts after a day or two and lasts anything up to a few days (depending on the strength). Younger, fresher and healthier skin cells are then brought to the surface. These cells will be more sensitive to the sun and so good sun protection is essential after the treatment.
Are there any dangers?
Problems with mild peels are extremely uncommon. Of course, you can expect some dryness, redness and peeling though this may not be the case with a gentle exfoliation. The deeper the peel, the more important it is to prepare the skin with specialist products. This is also the case if you have brown or black skin.
Do they hurt?
When the solution is applied, you will experience anything from mild tingling to a mild burning sensation for a few minutes. Once this has passed, you should not have any discomfort or pain at all.
What will I look like after?
Immediately after, your skin will look flushed or red depending on the strength. The actual peeling is similar to what you may have experienced if you have ever peeled after sunburn.
Will I be able to go back to work after?
Yes. But remember, depending on the depth of the peel, you may look a little unusual so if appearance is important to your work, some time off may be required!
The Townshend Skin Clinic is within easy reach of the whole of Northamptonshire as well as neighbouring counties. We have a large client base including those living in:
Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Daventry, Rugby, Market Harborough, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Huntingdon, Bedford and many more!
