Have you ever wondered how something so severe can be so good for your skin?

What is a Chemical Peel, and how does it work?

According to Dr. Shweta, a dermatologist in Indiranagar, Bangalore, a chemical peel is a professional process that resurfaces the skin by removing the top, damaged layers using a chemical solution such as alpha-hydroxy acid or trichloroacetic acid. A chemical peel, also known as chemexfoliation or derma peeling, can be used alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.

What Is The Best Age To Get A Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels can be started as early as your twenties. Dr. Shweta believes that employing chemical peels in your twenties and thirties can help you keep your skin looking young and healthy in your senior years.

Chemical peels aren't reserved for the elderly. Chemical peels can help those with acne as well. Chemical peels help to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. They clear pores, reduce sebum production and diminish blackheads.

How Long Do They Take?

Chemical peels take roughly 20 to 25 minutes, which is why they're also known as "lunchtime facials."

What are the Benefits of Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are popular because they can help with fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, redness, acne scarring, and blemishes. Reversing sun damage, smoothing out rough skin, boosting collagen, and enhancing the appearance of firm, taut skin are all benefits of these products. This minimally invasive method for significantly improving skin's appearance can also be used on the neck and hands and anywhere else on the body for immediate visible and tactile effects.

What types of chemical peels are available?

The Dermatologist In Indiranagar, Bangalore states that the chemical peels are available in three main varieties. These are some of them:

• Superficial peels, which gently exfoliate the skin with mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid. It just penetrates the skin's top layer.

• Medium peels, which reach the middle and outer layers of the skin with trichloroacetic or glycolic acid. This improves its ability to remove damaged skin cells.

• Deep peels use phenol or trichloroacetic acid to enter the middle layer of the skin and remove damaged skin cells.

What to expect after the process?

The duration of time it takes to recover depends on which chemical peel you had.

 1.  Light chemical peels

The recovery period is around four to seven days. Your skin may appear lighter or darker for a short period.

 2. Medium chemical peels

After completing a medium chemical peel, your skin will heal in around five to seven days; however, you may face some redness that lasts for months. Before revealing new skin, your skin will expand, then create crusts and brown patches.

 3.  Deep chemical peels

Swelling and redness are common side effects of deep chemical peels, as are burning and throbbing feelings. Eyelids that swell shut are pretty common. The new skin will take about two weeks to grow; however, white patches or cysts may stay longer. It's not unusual for the redness to remain for months.

Follow your doctor's post-operative instructions to the letter. They'll tell you how often you should wash your face and moisturize it, as well as the products you should use. Stay out of the sun as much as you can until your skin has healed, and don't use makeup or other cosmetics until your doctor says it's okay. To reduce discomfort at home, try ice packs for 20 minutes at a time.

What are the side effects of getting a chemical peel?

Redness, dryness, stinging or burning, and mild swelling are common transient side effects. Deep peels may cause you to lose your ability to tan permanently.

 Chemical peels, on the other hand, can have more severe hazards and long-term adverse effects. These are some of them:

• Skin color changes (darkening or lightening). People with darker skin are more likely to have them.

• There will be scarring. This could be a long-term situation.

• Infections are a concern. Herpes simplex patients may develop flare-ups after treatment. Chemical peels can induce fungal or bacterial infections in rare cases.

• Damage to the heart, liver, or kidneys. Deep peels contain phenol, which can harm the heart muscle, kidneys, and liver and induce irregular heartbeats.

In a nutshell, Dr. Shweta, a dermatologist in Indiranagar, Bangalore will describe the process. Firstly, the dermatologist will apply a chemical peel to exfoliate the layers of your skin using chemical agents such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid, followed by a neutralizing solution.

• During the treatment, you should expect a burning feeling.

• After a chemical peel, you must apply sunscreen to protect your skin.

• Scarring, herpes infection, and a change in skin pigmentation are all potential side effects.

• Some minor chemical peels can also be done at home.

• You can begin chemical peels at the age of 20.

• When compared to a facial, the outcomes of a chemical peel are speedier.