A skin-peeler chemically burns off the skin. The chemical composition varies between brands, but they all appear to have the same effect.
These are sold as cosmetics that promise to remove years of scarring, wrinkles, and damaged skin. These items have recently caused harm since they are now more widely available in beauty stores.
Chemical peels are used to treat specific skin disorders or to improve your look by improving your skin’s tone and texture.
Chemical peels are most typically used on the face, neck, and hands. They can help eliminate or repair fine lines around the eyes and lips, as well as wrinkling caused by sun exposure, aging, and hereditary reasons.
Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles, and uneven skin color are all examples of skin imperfections.
Actinic keratosis refers to precancerous scaly patches.
Skin peelers can also help with the following:
The depth of your peel will be determined in collaboration with your dermatologist. This mutual choice may differ depending on your skin’s health and treatment goals.
Chemical peels do not work effectively on sags, bulges, deep scars, deep facial lines, or more severe wrinkles. Other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eye lift, or soft tissue filler, will be better options if these are your concerns. A dermatologic surgeon can advise you on the best course of action to address your issues.
In general, superficial peels are suitable for all skin types. However, if you have a darker skin tone, you are more likely to have skin darkening after treatment. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If you have naturally darker skin, you should consult your dermatologist about less aggressive treatments to reduce hyperpigmentation risk.
If you have a history of abnormal skin scarring, chemical peeling may not be indicated. Skin peelers might make your scars more colorful.
Do not use a skin peeler if you have skin issues or use medications that cause your skin to become more sensitive.
As an outpatient operation, a chemical peel can be performed in a doctor’s office or a surgery center. Your skin will be properly washed with an oil-removing ingredient, while your eyes and hair will be safeguarded. After that, a chemical solution is administered to your skin.
Typical chemical solutions include glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, and carbolic acid (phenol). The various chemicals induce regulated harm by entering a variable skin depth and then peeling away to reveal a fresh layer of skin.
Diverse chemical solutions provide different outcomes. Your purpose determines the chemical you use. The depth of your peel will be determined in collaboration with your dermatologist.
A light (“lunchtime”) chemical peel gives a gradual improvement over time and is frequently performed in succession. The skin’s outermost layer is removed. This option may promote a healthy glow if you have fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin pigmentation, or dry, rough, sun-damaged skin.
This peel can be recovered within a few hours to a few days, with little to no downtime.
A medium chemical peel provides your skin with a smooth, youthful appearance. The upper section of your middle skin layer and the outermost layer are removed.
This option may be best for you if you have uneven or severe skin discoloration, age spots, acne scarring, or fine-to-moderate wrinkles. This peel may take a week or more to heal and necessitate some downtime.
The most striking results are obtained with a deep chemical peel. This chemical enters your skin’s lower middle layer. A deep peel requires more recovery time.
This option may be appropriate if you have significant lines and wrinkles, extensive sun damage, deep acne scars, blotchy skin, and/or actinic keratosis, which are precancerous growths.
Pretreatment for a deep chemical peel might last up to eight weeks.
Your doctor will provide specific instructions. A deep chemical peel is a one-time treatment with significant downtime if applied to your face.
Some general guidelines for preparing for your chemical peel are as follows:
Your doctor will give you particular recommendations based on your peel type and skin condition.
On the day of the peel, your skin will be completely cleansed. You will be given general anesthesia if you get a deep chemical peel (you will be asleep).
Chemical skin peels use harsh chemicals like lactic and trichloroacetic acid. The majority of injuries occur when non-medical professionals, such as beauticians, use the products when they are used at home. Chemicals frequently burn too deeply, resulting in 2nd-degree burns that leave lifelong scars and, in rare circumstances, convulsions.
Certain skin types are at risk of a transient or permanent alteration in skin color. Taking birth control pills, being pregnant, or having a family history of brownish discoloration on your face can all raise your chances of acquiring atypical pigmentation.
There is also a minimal chance of scarring in some parts of your face, and some people are more prone to scarring than others. Scarring can usually be treated successfully if it occurs.
If you’ve had previous herpes outbreaks, there’s a chance the cold sore can reactivate. Your dermatologist may be able to prescribe medication to lessen the likelihood of a flare-up. Follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Tell your dermatologist if you have a history of keloids (scar tissue overgrowth caused by a skin injury), any atypical scarring tendencies, X-rays of your face, or a history of cold sores before your chemical peel. Infections are uncommon, but they do happen.
No, not typically. Chemical peels are considered cosmetic procedures and hence are not covered by insurance.
Skin-peeling products are considered medications by the FDA and must be licensed before they can be lawfully sold. Currently, none have been FDA-approved for safe and legal marketing.
Many are available on the internet and at beauty supply stores. If you have been injured by chemical skin peelers, contacting a class action attorney in your area who specializes in defective medical devices can help you protect your legal rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.
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