Peeling, from the English word "to peel," is a cosmetic procedure that restructures and improves facial skin by erasing imperfections. A chemical peel regenerates the skin and restores a beautiful glow.
Peels are classified according to their penetration levels. Peeling: recovery process and results are what we'll cover in this article. To learn everything about peeling, follow this guide!
What exactly does peeling consist of?
Facial peeling is a cosmetic treatment that aims to restore radiance to the skin. It is also called skin exfoliation. This procedure must be performed by a qualified professional, just like laser hair removal , where knowledge is required.
Peeling: recovery process and results, peeling, derived from the English word to peel, for this name peeling, is a technique which applies an acidic chemical product to the face, neck and décolleté, and sometimes even to the back and hands.
Then, the reaction of this chemical causes an exfoliation that allows the removal of a more or less thick layer of skin depending on the peel that is performed. We therefore have skin that peels after peeling. We can use three types of peel:
- Superficial or gentle peeling.
- Medium peel (TCA peel).
- Deep peeling (phenol peeling).
A gentle peel (glycolic acid) aims to treat imperfections, blemishes, and post-acne scars, for example. This type of peel restores radiance to the complexion. A medium and deep peel (usually TCA) will act on wrinkles and brown spots, regenerating the skin's dermis. in a deeper way.
This peeling technique activates cell renewal, allowing you to obtain smoother, more beautiful skin with a beautiful glow.
What you need to know before a peeling session
Facial, neck, and décolleté peeling is a procedure that can be performed on both women and men. This procedure helps reduce imperfections and skin blemishes. A prior consultation is required so the practitioner can determine the individual's skin type: mild, medium, or deep.
All skin types can benefit from peeling, however, medium and deep peels are not recommended for people with black and mixed skin, as this could cause depigmentation spots.
On the other hand, we can say that nowadays, peeling and treatments can treat all skin pigmentations.
Peeling aims to fade or even erase facial skin defects, particularly imperfections linked to skin aging, the effects of the sun and also to sometimes specific genetic inheritance.
This procedure smooths the skin's texture, tones the skin, erases brown spots, fades acne lesions, but above all it restores a luminous complexion.
How does a peeling session take place?
At the consultation prior to the peel, and approximately one month before the session performed at the institute or specialized clinic, the doctor prescribes a cream to be applied daily to the face. This cream helps to even out the skin's texture, which will facilitate better penetration of the active product applied to the skin on the day of the session. Black and mixed-race skin particularly requires good skin preparation before receiving a gentle peel.
On the day of the session, the practitioner performs a very meticulous skin cleansing. Then, he applies the chemical solution, depending on the type of peel being performed, either a fruit acid, glycolic acid, or TCA acid, using a brush and/or a cotton pad.
The product should be left on for 30 seconds to two minutes before thoroughly rinsing the skin with water. A restorative and protective treatment is then applied. Then, for post-peel care, he prescribes a cream to be applied for a week to properly protect, repair, and soothe the skin.
What exactly do the different types of peels treat?
Depending on the degree of penetration and the action of the product applied to the skin during a peel, treatment is carried out with a soft or superficial peel, a medium peel or a deep peel. The products used thus define the type of peel, and then the defects to be corrected determine which type of peel will be recommended.
Superficial or gentle peeling:
It is suitable for black and mixed-race skin, as well as any skin with minor imperfections or blemishes. Several sessions are prescribed for this type of peel.
This is a light peel that exfoliates the upper layers of the epidermis to remove impurities from the skin. This treatment restores radiance to the skin. This peel is recommended for brightening the complexion, for oily or acne-prone skin, or for reducing pigmentation spots.
Medium peeling:
A medium peel acts on the deeper layers of the epidermis, the mid-dermis. This type of peel is well-suited for correcting fine lines, pigment spots, acne scars, and stretch marks. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is generally used; it's a mixture of vinegar and chlorine molecules. Its deeper action stimulates the production of collagen fibers in the dermis.
The after-effects of this type of peel are more restrictive because they cause significant peeling for 6 to 10 days, with brown scabs and redness. The skin heals after 15 days but remains pink for a month.
Sun protection is necessary for 3 months following this type of peel.
Deep peeling:
Deep peeling affects the deeper layers of the dermis.
Here again, it is often either a higher dose of trichloroacetic acid or a phenol solution that is used.
This type of peel treats deep wrinkles, stubborn pigment spots, sun spots, or age spots. This type of peel requires very special attention; this procedure is often performed under local or even general anesthesia due to the intense burning sensation felt when applying the product.
Social exclusion for more than three weeks with increased monitoring is expected for this special treatment. A phenol procedure with cardiac toxicity requires special precautions.
We can say that the deeper the intervention is in the skin, the greater the regeneration will be.
What are the results after a peel?
For peeling visible results, in fact, after a peel you can see the difference!
Skin cell renewal is activated and defects and imperfections are erased.
Gentle peeling, dead epidermal cells are eliminated and replaced by younger, fresher cells.
For peels in general, the results offer a much brighter, radiant complexion, after one or more sessions depending on the peel performed. Generally speaking, the results observed are:
- A radiant skin and a beautiful even complexion.
- Calms redness and reduces rosacea.
- Strengthens the skin barrier by stimulating collagen.
- Reduces dark spots and melasma.
- Reduces superficial and post-acne scars.
- Tightens enlarged pores and eliminates blackheads and pimples.
- Smoothes and regenerates the skin.
- Reduce marked fine lines and expression lines (medium and/or deep peel)
Peeling can be combined with a PRP treatment .
What are the side effects of a peel?
A peeling session only lasts a few minutes.
For a gentle or superficial peel, several sessions spaced a week apart are often performed, for a total of between 3 and 5 sessions. Side effects are less noticeable, with some redness fading quickly.
For other types of peeling, the results are there in a single session: the skin is smoother, flawless and luminous.
However, for medium and deep peels, side effects are more common. Redness and peeling occur after the session. There are also sensations of warmth and discomfort that appear both during the session and often last for a few hours afterward.
For these types of peels, special monitoring is often required to prevent more problematic side effects, scabs that do not heal well and/or possible minor infections that will therefore need to be treated.
FAQs
How long does the peeling phase last after a peel?
With a medium peel, often using trichloroacetic acid (TCA), peeling begins approximately 48 hours after the session and can last 5 to 7 days. This peeling is more visible, with patches of skin gradually peeling off, particularly around the mouth and nose.
How to take care of your skin during the peeling period?
You can apply moisturizer to the area during this time if you want to soothe the dermis. Before the next session, it is necessary to shave any hair that has grown back on the treated area and avoid applying products such as oil and tanning cream to your skin.
Are the results of a peel visible immediately?
The effects of the peel are visible from the first procedure. However, you must wait until the end of the protocol (three to four sessions spaced approximately 15 days apart) to observe optimal results.
Can you apply makeup to your skin during the peeling phase?
Makeup is prohibited during the peeling period; instead, you should use a restorative, tinted cream with a sun protection factor (BB cream® from Bioderma™). The skin then returns to its normal state with a marked improvement in fine lines, complexion, and enlarged pores.
What products are not recommended after a peel?
Any products that can be harsh on the skin are not recommended; instead, opt for a nourishing, restorative treatment rich in fluid hyaluronic acid. For a deep peel, the dermal destruction requires a cream like Biafine.
Conclusion
So, now you know what a peel is, you will have understood, depending on your skin type, your age, depending on the imperfections of your skin, the type of peel recommended can offer you good results. It is necessary to entrust this act to specialized, trained people, in institutes, beauty centers or aesthetic clinics.
At SSSKin , we are here to help if you would like more information on the types of peeling, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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