6 Things You Need to Know About Facial Peels
As the common saying has it, beauty is pain. One of the most painful-sounding facial treatments is the facial peel, also known as the chemical peel. And yet, this treatment claims to solve a large variety of skin woes!
Is it the magic pill to all your skin troubles? Read on to find out…
What is a facial peel?
A facial peel is done by applying a chemical solution onto the skin that exfoliates your skin and causes it to peel off. This will reveal the skin underneath that is newer, smoother, and more even.
What are the benefits?
Individuals can choose facial peels as one way to improve their skin condition. Chemical peels are one option used to treat a variety of skin problems, such as aging skin, melasma, post-acne scars, sun-damaged skin, and other pigmentation problems.
The effectiveness of the treatment is highly dependent on the depth of the peel and the concentration of the chemical ingredients. There are 3 levels of facial peels:
1. Superficial Facial Peel
A superficial facial peel causes only the top-most layer of your skin to peel off. The recovery period is relatively short and you can return to your usual activities right after the treatment, hence it is also called the “lunchtime peel”! This treatment may help to improve skin tone, texture, and fine wrinkles.
2. Medium Facial Peel
This penetrates your skin deeper than a superficial peel and the recovery time will be longer. This may help with dark spots and some signs of aging like Crow’s Feet and fine to moderate wrinkles.
3. Deep Facial Peel
This treatment penetrates your skin and also some of the tissue under it, and thus the recovery period is the longest. It is typically used to treat severe skin discolouration, severe sun damage, and deep wrinkles.
Who cannot go for facial peels?
You should not go for a facial peel if you have:
• An infection
• An active skin disease
• A sunburn
• Broken skin on your face
• Active or recurring cold sores
• Psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis or rosacea
• Taken Accutane in last six months
Nursing or pregnant women are also advised against this treatment.
Please consult your doctor and ensure that a facial peel is safe for you.
Will I see instant results?
You will need to prepare yourself for how your skin will look immediately after the treatment; it will always look worse right after a facial peel before it starts getting better.
Multiple sessions are required before you can observe visible results, but this is also dependent on the type of facial peel chosen. The stronger the facial peel, the quicker the results.
Are there any side-effects?
You may experience redness, peeling, and other side effects and it will take at least a few days to recover from the treatment (for medium and deep peels). After your treatment, it is advised to stay away from using products with retinoid or glycolic acid for a few days. Your skin may be more sensitive to the sun, so be vigilant in applying your sun block and avoid exposure to direct sunlight!
For medium to deep facial peels, there may be more severe side-effects and complications such as the development of milia seeds, secondary infection, and scarring.
Now for the most important question: does it hurt?
The superficial facial peel will cause your skin to feel tight or tingly, but it should not be too painful. However, for the medium to deep facial peels, there will be more pain expected due to the deeper skin penetration of the treatment.
The conclusion
Facial peels are just one alternative to improve your skin woes and it carries its risks and benefits. Ultimately, determining the best treatment for your face, be it for melasma, acne marks, or other pigmentation issues, requires consulting a specialist. With professional advice and an in-depth skin analysis, you can make an informed decision about what your skin needs.
