Monday, June 20, 2016

Chemical Peels for Acne and Pigmentation


A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON CHEMICAL PEELS AND ENERPEEL

 
 
 
 

The history of chemical peels dates back to the time of Ancient Egyptians and Romans; where women used  sour milk and fermented grape juice to rejuvenate the skin. Thankfully, chemical peels have evolved to become more  palatable  and safer to patients today. Although eclipsed in popularity by the wide variety of skin resurfacing lasers, chemical peels still remain a safe and efficacious way of lightening pigmentation such  as melasma, erase fine wrinkles and control acne outbreaks.

What is chemical peel

Chemical peel, or chemoexfoliation, is a non invasive clinic based treatment that is suitable for for individuals with pigmentation, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and acne. By removing damaged skin and promoting collagen rejuvenation, skin looks younger and smoother.  this "younger" skin also tends to be more radiant and receptive to skincare because there are no more damaged and dead skin cells to impede penetration.

There is a wide array of chemical peels available and the selection of the agent will depend on your skin condition and your expectations. Hence, treatment can be personalised for each patient.

The treatment involves the doctor applying the selected solution to your skin and monitoring your progress.  When the endpoint is reached, the solution is neutralised.  The objective of the treatment is to achieve removal of damaged skin to allow skin rejunvation.

How does a chem peel work

Essentially, chemical peels remove the top layer of damaged skin gradually, thereby promoting collagen production and skin regeneration.  This layer of new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled. Chemical peels have been used to treat conditions such as acne scars, melasma, uneven skin tone and fine wrinkles.

The  mechanism of chemical peels can be classified according to the depth of their action-superficial depth, medium depth and deep peels.

Superficial chemical peels extend to the level of the epidermis and are most well tolerated by patients. A superficial chemical peel can be used to lighten certain types of pigmentation, achieve more even skin tone, lighten scars and improve acne scars.

Medium depth peels extend to the upper reticular dermis and can be used to treat the same conditions as superficial chemical peel. Understandably, the downtime and discomfort may be longer than superficial chemical peels.

Deep peels extend to the  mid reticular dermis and usually require analgesia prior to performing the procedure. Deep peels are useful in treating severe wrinkles and intense pigmentations. These peels are also associated with a higher risk of complications.

What conditions can be treated by chem peel

·         uneven skin colour/ skin discolouration

·         pigmentation (e.g. freckles, melasma, lentigenes, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

·         fine lines and wrinkles

·         exfoliation and acne control

·         soften acne scars

·         control oil and sebum secretion

Am I a candidate

Patients with skin discolouration, pigmentation, aged skin and acne are ideal candidates for chemical peels.  By lightening pigmentation, removing dead skin and promoting collagen rejuvenation, skin appearance and texture can be improved.


What can i expect/experience during the peel

After a thorough evaluation and discussion with our doctor; the choice of chemical peel is selected. your face is thoroughly cleansed to remove dirt, sweat and oil. Using an applicator, our doctor then applies the chemical peel to your skin. You may experience a temporary tingly sensation,  itchiness or warmth which will resolve when the peel is complete. Please inform your doctor if you find the sensation to be unbearable.

When the chemical peel has reached its endpoint the chemical peel is neutralised. this is followed by cleaning of the skin. Cooling measures may be employed if necessary.  An antibiotic cream is usually prescribed to prevent skin infections

What to expect after

There is no immediate downtime for chemical peels and the procedure can even be performed during lunch time! Depending on the chemical peel used, you may experience facial redness for 1-2 days followed by flaking or exfoliation for up to 1 week.


The skin flakiness may be fine or slightly larger depending on the type of peel used. It is safe to wear makeup to conceal the flakiness if you choose to do so. you may experience skin dryness and this is easily correctable with a moisturiser. During this phase, it is also important to have adequate sun protection and to be gentle when cleansing your face.

How to care for the skin after

·         Be gentle with your skin- please do not peel off any flaking skin

·         moisturise well

·         strict sun protection and sun avoidance for 2 weeks.


Protocol- how often, combination treatment, how many peels/duration

The number of sessions and treatment programme is depend on your skin condition and our doctors' assessment. Generally, deeper and more stubborn lesions will require more sessions.

 
Chemical peels can be combined together with other medical treatments such as lasers to accelerate result. A recommended programme would comprise of a chemical peel every 4-6 weeks.


Complications

Complications are rare when chemical peels are performed by trained doctors, patients are closely monitored and evaluated and when the appropriate chemical peel is selected.  Some of the complications that have been quoted with chemical peels include hyperpigmentation, skin infection, milia seeds, acneiform dermatitis, persistant wrinkles and scarring

Why enerpeel

As one of the leading aesthetic clinics in Singapore, The Clifford Clinic is committed to performing safe and efficacious treatments. traditional chemical peels have been dependent on skin redness and frosting on the surface of the skin as indicators of skin reactivity to the chemical peel. A more ideal peel would allow less visible skin redness and frosting while achieving deeper skin remodelling and rejuvenation.

 
Enerpeel (R) employs a breakthrough patented carrier solution which controls the acids' activity until it is absorbed.  bB using desmosome disruption- or more simply, by controlling the acid and then releasing it to penetrate between skin cells, the uptake of the acid is more uniform and enhanced. additionally, the uptake of the acid is increased by 2-3 fold without having to increase the strength of the acid. Talk about achieving better results with greater safety! What our patients can expect from Enerpeel(R) are: faster resolution of skin redness and enhanced skin renewal! 

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