Alpha Hydroxy
Acid
Alpha
hydroxyl acids are found in plants and food such as
citrus fruits, apples, grapes, and sugar cane and sour
milk. The acid breaks the intracellular bonds of the
epidermis and accelerates the sloughing of the superficial
dead skin cells of the epidermis. Lactic acid and glycolic
acid are the tow most commonly used AHA’ s in skin
care products and as a stand-alone peel. This peel is
considered a light peel and patient will require multiple
treatments to see results.
TCA
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
can be used in many concentrations, but it is most commonly
used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface wrinkles,
superficial blemishes and pigment problems are commonly
treated with TCA. The result of TCA peel produces more
dramatic results than AHA peels. Clients may require
more than one peel to achieve the desired results.
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Who can benefit from
this Treatment?
Most people who have sun damage
such as multiple solar keratoses, pigmentation abnormalities,
certain types of acne, and fine wrinkling might benefit
from this treatment. It is often used to treat fine
lines under the eyes and around the mouth. Wrinkles
caused by sun damage, aging, and hereditary factors
can often be reduced with this procedure.
What is the procedure like?
After cleansing the skin to remove
oils, the peeling agent is carefully applied. Within
minutes, there is a very warm sensation that feels like
sunburn. This lasts for a few minutes and is rapidly
relieved by the application of cool compresses. Very
rarely, there may be some swelling, especially around
the eyes for the first two days, but discomfort is minimal.
By the third or fourth day, the skin has a tight feeling
and sheds. This is replaced by skin with a pink colour
and smooth texture, usually on days 5 to 7.
How much improvement will I
have?
The amount of improvement is individual
and depends on the initial condition of the patient's
skin. Maximum improvement of damaged skin and wrinkling
ranges from 50%-85% and, although 100% percent improvement
is not possible, most patients view the results as dramatic.
What are the limits of chemical
peels?
Chemicals cannot heal loose or
sagging skin, and do not serve the same function as
a face-lift. In addition, it will not remove deep scars.
Laser resurfacing, punch grafting, punch elevation,
scar excision, or soft tissue fillers may be much more
effective. These options should be discussed with your
surgeon. Chemical peels cannot necessarily change pore
sizes in all cases, nor can they predictably remove
broken blood vessels on the face. However, chemical
peels may improve the appearance of these conditions.
How Much Does the Treatment
Cost?
The price of the treatment ranges
from £90-£1000. The price of the treatment
will depend on the type of chemical peel that is recommended. |
