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Facial Cosmetic Surgery : Chemical Skin Peels
Chemical Skin Peels
If your skin has been damaged by too much sun, or if you have certain kinds of acne, pigmentation problems or fine wrinkling around the mouth and eyes, you might benefit form a series of chemical skin peels.
What is it?
There are two types of chemical used in this procedure, depending upon the type of skin problems you have.
Alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA)
- AHA's are found in plants and foods such as citrus fruits, apples, grapes,
sugar cane and sour milk.
- This chemical is used on the skin to remove the superficial dead cells from the skin's surface
- This treatment is considered fairly light and you will probably require several treatments before you see an improvement.
Tricloracetic acid (TCA)
- TCA is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling
- Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems can all
be treated with TCA
- The result of a TCA peel is more dramatic than the AHA peel, but you will
still need several treatments to get the full benefits.
What is involved?
- After cleansing the skin to remove any surface oils, the chemical
peel will be carefully applied all over your face, or just the affected
areas.
- Within minutes, you will experience a warm sensation - rather like sunburn
on your skin.
- This lasts for a few minutes but will be quickly relieved with cold compresses.
- At this point you will be able to go home.
- By the third or fourth day, your skin will start to feel tight and start
shedding.
- Within 5 - 7 days you will see smoother, pinker skin begin to emerge.
Possible side effects
- Very rarely, you may experience some swelling, especially around
the eyes for the first two days, but this will subside quickly.
Your results
- The amount of improvement you will see will depend on the initial
condition of your skin
- It is estimated that the maximum improvement achievable from this treatment is 50-85% and although it is not possible to achieve 100% improvement, most people consider their results quite dramatic.
