A Chemical peel or an Acne Peel is a procedure where a chemical agent of a defined strength is applied to the skin. The peeling agent then causes a controlled damage in the layers of the skin, followed by regeneration and remodelling, plus an improvement of skin texture.
Some chemical peels are designed to target and treat acne. Acne peels can contain ingredients such as Glycolic, Salicylic, and or Benzol Peroxide. These products work to treat active acne, by opening comedones, loosening plugged pores and exfoliating the skin. Some ingredients in chemical peels are also anti-inflammatory, which not only helps to suppress active acne, but remedies inflammation in the skin as well.
While chemical acne peels provide benefits, precautions must be taken, as well as noting the contraindications.
Patients must be sure to stop using any home-care products that contain Benzol Peroxide, Salicylic , Aha’s, or Retinols at least one week before and one week post treatment. These products can cause burns, and sensitivity to a chemical peel or acne peel.
Contradictions include:
• Patients who are breast-feeding
• Patients who have used Accutane within the past 4 months
• Patients who have open wounds, sunburns, infected area, cold sores
• Patients who have recently had waxing, electrolysis, or chemical exfoliates
• Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Avoid aftershave, cologne, or perfumes the day of the appointment
• Avoid shaving the treatment area the day of the appointment.
• Avoid depilatory creams & laser hair removal
It is wise to discuss your medical history, medications, allergies, skin type, and any tendency for scarring, keloiding, or poor healing with your skin specialist. Also, it is important to let your provider know if you have a history of cold sores, so that a prescription for an antiviral medication can be given to avoid a cold sore outbreak.
Although complications can occur with chemical peels, they are quite unlikely in well-trained hands.
To book a personal consultation for Chemical Peels or Acne Peels, visit Lasting Looks Clinic in Toronto at www.lastinglooks.ca