Chemical and medical peeling – indications and effects

Chemical peeling is a very popular type of peel used in cosmetic surgeries and aesthetic medicine. How do they differ? The concentration of the preparations and the mode of action. Opinions are divided regarding efficacy. Some patients prefer the very aggressive action of medical peels, while others find such drastic interference unacceptable. Sometimes practical considerations are decisive. Not everyone can afford to hide at home for a week.

 

After medical peels, the skin comes off in patches all over the face and this process cannot be avoided. With in-office chemical peels, the aim is to stimulate the skin over the long term to restore collagen fibres, improve elasticity and exfoliate over time.

Let us recall what peeling is (peel – to exfoliate). It involves the forced and controlled exfoliation of the top layers of skin to remove the dead layer of keratinised epidermis. This is because dead cells prevent the skin from functioning normally and impede the penetration of cosmetic ingredients.
Keratinised epidermis exfoliation = exfoliation

 

What chemical peels for what skin problem?

Chemical peel preparations contain acids that loosen creatine-filled dead skin cells (known as the process of keratolysis). Depending on the type of acid used and its concentration, we distinguish:

• superficial peels (used for the following problems: lentigines, hyperkeratosis, superficial spots and wrinkles, non-inflammatory lesions, acne vulgaris)
• medium-depth peels (problems: wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, signs of photoageing, lentigines, shallow acne scars)
• deep peels (for deep wrinkles and scars of all types).

 

Chemical peeling with mandelic acid:

What acids are used in chemical peels:

We use superficial exfoliation in particular for such problems:

• ageing and photoageing of the skin
• pigmentation spots, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation
• skin with texture and colour irregularities
• deep scars, deep wrinkles and furrows, stretch marks, ageing
• uneven texture and roughness of the epidermis

 

Chemical peel treatments include:

• alpha-hydro acids (AHA), which dissolve in water, i.e.: glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, among others;
• beta-hydro acids (BHA), which are fat-soluble and fat-soluble, only salicylic acid is used in cosmetics;
• poly-hydroxy acids (PHA), which are water-soluble and gentler on the skin than AHA and BHA acids: lactobionic acid, gluconolactone,
• others: azealinic acid, mandelic acid, phytic acid, szikimic acid, kojic acid