A chemical peel, also known as chemexfoliation or dermapeeling, improves the look of your skin by using a chemical solution. This therapy involves the application of a chemical solution to your skin, which produces damage or harm to the skin's layers. Eventually, the skin layers peel away, exposing more youthful skin. The regenerated skin is often smoother with fewer creases and wrinkles, more even in tone, and has a more youthful appearance. 

Chemical peels are used to address certain skin problems or to enhance your look by enhancing your skin's tone and texture.

Chemical peels are most often used on the face, neck, and hands. They may assist in reducing or improving:

·       Fine lines under the eyes or around the lips, as well as wrinkling caused by sun exposure, ageing, and genetic reasons.

      ·       Aspects of acne.

      ·       Scarring is minimal.

      ·       Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles, and uneven skin colour are all examples of sun spots.

      ·       Actinic keratosis are precancerous scaly patches.

      ·       Rough skin, scaly spots, and a poor complexion are among symptoms.

      ·       Melasma (dark spots) may occur as a result of pregnancy or birth control pill use.

You and your dermatologist will decide on the degree of your peel. This collaborative choice may differ according on your skin's state and treatment goals. Chemical peels are ineffective on sagging, bulging, deep scars, deep facial lines, and more severe wrinkles. If these are your concerns, alternative cosmetic surgery treatments such as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, a face lift, brow lift, or eye lift, or soft tissue filler may be more appropriate. A dermatologic surgeon can assist you in determining the most appropriate treatment option for your problems. 

   ·       Have a history of abnormal scarring on the skin.

   ·       Enhance the colour of your scars.

   ·       Have a skin problem or are using medicines that aggravate your skin's sensitivity.

   ·     Cannot avoid the light throughout the healing time

Chemical peels may be done as an outpatient treatment in a doctor's office or a surgical center. Your skin will be completely cleaned with an oil-removing ingredient, while your eyes and hair will be safeguarded. Following that, a chemical solution is administered to your skin. Chemical solutions such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid are often utilized (phenol). The various chemical agents produce a controlled damage by penetrating to a varied depth of the skin and then peeling away to expose a fresh layer of skin.

The various chemical solutions produce a variety of distinct effects. The chemical you choose is determined on your objective. You and your dermatologist will decide on the degree of your peel.

A mild ("lunchtime") chemical peel offers gradual improvement and is often performed in succession. The epidermis is removed. This may be the ideal option if you have fine lines and wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, or dry, rough sun-damaged skin and want to create a healthy glow. The recovery period for this kind of peel varies from a few hours to a few days, but there is little to no downtime.

A mild chemical peel restores the smooth, youthful appearance of your skin. The outermost layer of skin is removed, as is the top portion of the middle skin layer. If you have uneven or moderate skin discoloration, age spots, acne scars, or fine-to-moderate wrinkles, this may be the best option for you. This kind of peel may take a week or more to recover from and will need some downtime.

The most striking effects are obtained with a thorough chemical peel. This substance penetrates all the way down to the skin's bottom middle layer. With a deep peel, the recovery period is longer. This may be the best option if you have moderate to severe lines and wrinkles, significant sun damage, deep acne scars, blotchy skin, and/or precancerous growths called actinic keratosis. A thorough chemical peel takes up to eight weeks of preparation. Your physician will give you precise instructions. If applied to the face, a deep chemical peel is a one-time procedure that requires considerable downtime.

To prepare for your chemical peel, the following are some basic instructions:

       ·       Two weeks before to each treatment, avoid tanning and direct sun exposure.

       ·       To prepare your skin for therapy, use topical treatments (such as hydroquinone) as directed.

      ·       Unless otherwise directed by your physician, refrain from using any products containing retinoids (such as tretinoin) one to two weeks prior to treatment.

       ·       If given oral antibiotics or an oral antiviral medication, begin taking them at least 24 hours prior to your chemical peel.

       ·       Peel regions must be clear of visible sores, lesions, or infections of the skin.

       ·       Your physician will provide you with precise recommendations based on the kind of peel and your individual skin condition.

       ·    The day of the peel: Your skin will be cleansed completely. If you are undergoing a thorough chemical peel, you will be sedated (you will be asleep).

       ·       The procedure: A chemical peel involves the application of a solution to your skin. You may get a brief feeling of warmth to slight heat. Following that, there is a stinging feeling. To alleviate the sting, apply a cold compress to your skin. After then, the chemical is rinsed away and/or neutralised. 

There is a possibility of a temporary or permanent alteration in the hue of your skin with certain skin types. Contraception, pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may all raise your chance of having atypical pigmentation.

Additionally, there is a minimal chance of scarring in specific regions of the face, and some people may be more prone to scarring than others. If scarring does develop, it is generally treatable successfully.

If you have a history of herpes outbreaks, there is a risk that the cold sore may reactivate. Your dermatologist may recommend medication to help minimize the likelihood of flare-ups. Adhere to your doctor's recommendations.

Be careful to inform your dermatologist prior to your chemical peel if you have a history of keloids (scar tissue overgrowth at the site of a skin injury), any atypical scarring tendencies, any facial X-rays, or a history of cold sores.

While infections are uncommon, they are nevertheless a possibility. 

Expectations vary according on the degree of your chemical peel.

If you've just had a mild chemical peel:

      ·       After your peel, you can expect a sunburn-like response, which includes redness followed by scaling that lasts between three and seven days.

      ·       As instructed, use lotion or cream to your skin until it heals. After your skin has healed, use sunscreen regularly.

      ·       You may apply makeup immediately after therapy or the next day.

    ·    Additional peels may be performed every two to five weeks until the desired results are achieved. Typically, three to five peels are required to accomplish your objective.

If you've recently had a medium chemical peel:

     ·       Your skin may experience some redness, swelling, stinging, and flaking. Swelling may persist and/or worsen for up to 48 hours. Blisters may form and will eventually rupture. Over the next seven to fourteen days, the skin will harden and peel off.

    ·       Daily soaks should be performed as recommended by your doctor. After each soak, apply ointment. Daily, use lotion or cream. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight until your skin has fully healed.

      ·       Antiviral medicine must be administered for ten to fourteen days.

      ·       After five to seven days, you may reapply makeup.

      ·       Additional medium-depth peels may be performed every six to twelve months if necessary to maintain results.

If you've just had a thorough chemical peel:

      ·       Bandages will be applied to the treatment region. In a few days, your bandages will be removed. Expect a 14 to 21-day recovery period.

      ·    Daily soaks should be performed as recommended by your doctor. After each soak, apply ointment. Apply moisturiser as recommended after 14 days. Avoid sun exposure for three to six months.

      ·       Antiviral medicine must be administered for ten to fourteen days.

      ·       Allow at least 14 days before attempting to use any makeup.

      ·       On your face, you can only get one deep peel.

      ·       Follow these guidelines to get the greatest results, regardless of the depth of your peel:

·       While your skin is recovering, avoid using a tanning bed or any other kind of indoor or even outdoor tanning.

      ·       After your skin has healed, continue to use a daily sunscreen.

      ·       Daily moisturizer use, as recommended, can help keep your skin moist and avoid scarring.

      ·       Your new skin is more delicate and prone to problems. Your doctor will give you with post-treatment recommendations to help minimize the risk of developing abnormal skin color or other problems after your peel.

Consult your physician if your skin itch, swells, or burns. Scratching the skin may result in an infection. 

Generally, no. Chemical peels are seen as cosmetic procedures and are therefore not covered by insurance.