Skin Peels Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Skin Peel?

Skin peeling is a technique used to improve the texture and appearance of the skin. An appropriate solution is applied to the skin which eventually results in peeling of the outer layers of skin. The new regenerated skin is softer, smoother, and has a more even texture. Fine lines and wrinkles may also improve. There are many different solutions used for skin peeling. Different solutions result in different depths of peeling. The deeper the peel the better the result, but the risk is also greater. One of the most common skin peels performed is the trichloroacetic acid (TCA) skin peel. TCA peels are effective for treatment of photo-aged and photo-damaged skin involving the scalp, face, neck, upper chest and arms, legs, back and stretch marks.

What Are "Mini" or "Lunchtime Peels"?

Light skin peels using fruit, milk, mushroom, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, lactic and phytic acid, have been used for treatment of mild pigmentation changes and acne of facial skin. These so-called lunchtime peels have very rapid recovery and are often repeated at weekly or monthly intervals until the desired result is achieved. Clients can have a peel during lunch break and return to work that same afternoon.

What Can A Skin Peel Do?

The results achieved from a skin peel depend upon the solution used for the peel. Skin peels are used to regenerate the skin. The regenerated skin is softer, smoother, and has a more even texture. Fine lines and wrinkles are also frequently improved with medium depth skin peels. In addition, pigmentation of the skin in the form of age spots, freckles, and brown blotches. Skin peels are most commonly performed on the face, neck, and back of the hands.

Actinic keratoses, pre-malignant skin lesions, can also be treated with skin peels. For those patients with multiple actinic keratsoses on the face, it is often the treatment of choice.

Skin Peels Can Treat

Easy TCA is a four stage peel procedure that is kinder to you and your skin. It achieves the same results as a deep TCA peel yet allows you to go about your normal routine. The 4 peels must be performed within 7-10 days of each other each treatment taking only 20 minutes. Your skin must be treated at home with Skin Tech products in preparation, during and for 6 weeks following the skin peel program.

What Is The Procedure Like?

A consultation will determine if you will benefit from a peel, and which solution will be best for your particular situation. Two weeks prior to treatment you will begin using your prescribed skin care to prepare your skin for the peel. Your skin should be kept clean without makeup or perfume the day of the procedure and all jewelry around the area to be treated should be removed.

Skin peels can be performed at any of our partner locations. We recommend that deeper peel treatments for stretch marks are performed at our private medical clinic. The day of your procedure we will obtain your signed informed consent form and pre-operative photographs may be taken.

You will be made comfortable and your skin will be thoroughly cleansed.

The peeling solution will then be applied to your skin once or a number of times customizing the peel to your skin, lifestyle, and results. The procedure only takes 20 minutes and you can leave immediately following your care instructions.

Are Skin Peels Painful?

During a light, glycolic peel you will experience a mild heat and or stinging sensation at the treated site. This diminishes when the peeling agent is neutralized and completely resolves within 15 minutes. You may remain red for slightly longer after the peel but not any redder then if you had run for a bus.

TCA peels, cause moderately intense stinging for about 10 minutes, after this resolves, the skin feels flushed and warm yet not uncomfortable. The skin may appear chalky white immediately after treatment. A fan is provided during the procedure to cool the skin and relieve some of the stinging sensation. It does not require any anaesthetic.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

Depending upon the type of peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs 2-3 days following a peel and resolves in 2-4 days. As the skin heals some tingling and itching may occur. It is important not to scratch the skin. Cool compresses and Skin Tech ointments can alleviate the itching.

Written and oral care instructions will be provided for you to follow during the healing phase. It is important to avoid direct sun exposure during the healing phase for the duration of your treatments and 6 weeks after. Any significant sun exposure can lead to irregular skin pigmentation.

Are The Results Permanent?

The skin will continue to age after the procedure is performed. An analogy is setting a clock back in time. The clock will continue to tick after it is reset. Depending upon the depth of your peel, results may last from several months up to several years. Proper anti-aging skin care and sun protection with sunscreens will help protect your skin from the aging affects of the sun and prolong the results. You should a factor 15 sunscreen daily.

Can I Have Another Skin Peel?

Yes, lighter skin peels are often repeated weekly or monthly for several months to achieve the desired result. Deeper peels can be repeated every 6 months as desired to continually refresh the skin. We will evaluate your skin and determine when your next peel can be scheduled.

What Are The Limitations to Skin Peels?

Skin peels cannot remove loose or sagging skin and do not serve the same function as a face lift, brow lift, or eyelid lift. They do not eliminate the gravitational forces that produce loose skin. Skin peeling will not remove deep scars or wrinkles.

Who Is A Good Candidate For A Skin Peel?

Many clients are good candidates for skin peels. The ideal patient has fair skin and a light complexion with no history of pigmentation problems. Patients with darker skin can also have skin peels, but the risks of pigment changes after the procedure are higher. The type of peel being used also influences the risk of hyperpigmentation which can be minimized with appropriate topical creams. We will assess your skin and help you choose from among the various types of peels we offer.

What Are The Alternatives To A Skin Peel?

Skin peels are cosmetic procedures performed at the request of the client. They are not medically necessary. Clients have this procedure performed to try and improve the appearance of their skin. There are many ways to improve the texture and colour of the skin, slight wrinkling, and scars. These procedures all differ in their abilities to improve the skin's appearance and in their level of aggressiveness. The more aggressive the procedure the better the results, but the risks are also greater. The final decision made by the patient must be based on an assessment of the risks of the procedure compared to the desired results and possible benefits.

Alternatives include anti-aging skin care, Botox, dermal fillers e.g Restylane autologous fat transplantation, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, and face-lifts. These alternatives will be explained to you during your visit.

What Are The Advantages Over Laser Resurfacing?

Skin peels are less expensive than laser resurfacing. Sedation is not required for the procedure, and clients leave our clinic within 30 minutes of the procedure. The recovery time of the skin occurs over 7 days with a skin peel versus several months for laser resurfacing. Clients rapidly return to their daily routine. Skin peels, however, can not produce the same results as full face CO2 laser resurfacing. If you are interested in learning more about skin peels please contact us for a consultation on 0845 070 55 38.