Peeling, from the English word "to peel", is an aesthetic technique 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 – that's what we'll cover in this article. To learn all about peeling, follow our guide!
What exactly is a peel?
A facial peeling exfoliation is an aesthetic treatment that aims to restore a beautiful glow to the skin. It's also known as skin exfoliation. This procedure must be performed by a qualified professional, just like laser hair removal, as it requires specific knowledge.
Peeling: recovery process and results. Peeling, derived from the English word "to peel," is a technique that applies an acidic chemical product to the face, neck, and décolletage, and sometimes even the back and hands.
The chemical reaction then causes exfoliation, which removes a layer of skin that is more or less thick, depending on the type of peel performed. So, you have peeling skin after the procedure. There are three types of peels:
- Superficial or mild peel.
- Medium peel (TCA peel).
- Deep peel (phenol peel).
A mild peel (glycolic acid) aims to treat flaws, imperfections, and post-acne scars, for example, and this type of peel restores radiance to the complexion. A medium and deep peel (generally TCA) will act on wrinkles and dark spots, regenerating the skin's dermis more deeply.
Through this peeling technique, cell renewal is activated, allowing a peel to achieve smoother, more beautiful, and radiant skin.
What you need to know before a peeling session
Facial, neck, and décolletage peels are procedures for both women and men. This procedure helps reduce skin imperfections and flaws. A preliminary consultation is necessary for the practitioner to determine the person's skin type (mild, medium, or deep).
All skin types can undergo peeling; however, medium and deep peels are not recommended for people with dark and mixed-race skin, as this could lead to depigmentation spots.
However, it can be said that nowadays, peeling and treatments can address all skin pigmentations.
Peeling aims to fade or even erase skin imperfections, particularly those linked to skin aging, the effects of the sun, and sometimes a specific genetic inheritance.
This procedure refines skin texture, tones the skin, erases brown spots, reduces acne lesions, and, above all, restores a radiant complexion.
How does a peeling session unfold?
During the preliminary consultation for the peel, and about a month before the session performed in an institute or specialized clinic, the doctor prescribes a cream to be applied daily to the face. This cream helps to homogenize the skin texture, which will thus facilitate better penetration of the active product applied to the skin on the day of the session. Dark and mixed-race skin particularly requires good skin preparation before receiving a mild peel.
On the day of the session, the practitioner performs a meticulous skin cleansing. Then, they apply the chemical solution, depending on the type of peel being performed, either a fruit acid (glycolic acid) or a TCA acid, using a brush and/or 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. Afterward, for post-peel care, a cream is prescribed to be applied for one 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, we treat with a mild or superficial peel, a medium peel, or a deep peel. It is the products used that define the type of peel, and then it is the imperfections to be corrected that determine which type of peel will be recommended.
The superficial or mild peel:
It concerns dark, mixed-race, and all skin types with minor imperfections or flaws. Several sessions are prescribed for this type of peel.
It's a light peel that gently buffs away the upper layers of the epidermis to remove skin impurities. This treatment restores radiance to the skin. It's the recommended peel for brightening the complexion, for oily or acne-prone skin, and for reducing pigment spots.
The medium peel:
The medium peel acts on the deeper layers of the epidermis, the mid-dermis. This type of peel is suitable for correcting fine lines, pigment spots, acne scars, and stretch marks. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), a mixture of vinegar and chlorine molecules, is generally used. Its deeper action stimulates collagen fiber production in the dermis.
The aftermath of this type of peel is more demanding, as it causes significant desquamation 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.
The deep peel:
A deep peel affects the deeper layers of the dermis.
Here again, either a more highly concentrated trichloroacetic acid or a phenol solution is often used.
This type of peel treats deep wrinkles, resistant pigment spots, sun spots, or age spots. This type of peel requires very special attention; the procedure is often performed under local or even general anesthesia due to the strong burning sensation experienced during product application.
A social exclusion of more than three weeks with increased monitoring is to be expected for this special treatment. A phenol procedure with cardiac toxicity indeed requires special precautions.
It can be said that the deeper the intervention into the skin, the greater the regeneration will be.
What are the results after a peel?
For visible peeling results, indeed, after a peel, you can see the difference!
Skin cell renewal is activated, and imperfections and flaws are erased.
With a mild peel, dead skin cells are removed and replaced by younger, fresher cells.
For peels in general, the results offer a much brighter and more radiant complexion after one or more sessions, depending on the type of peel performed. Generally, the observed results are:
- Skin radiance and an even complexion.
- Calms redness and reduces rosacea.
- Strengthens the skin barrier by stimulating collagen.
- Reduces brown spots and Melasma.
- Reduces superficial and post-acne scars.
- Tightens enlarged pores and eliminates blackheads and pimples.
- Smooths and regenerates the skin.
- Reduces pronounced fine lines and expression wrinkles (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 mild or superficial peel, several sessions spaced one week apart are often performed, totaling between 3 to 5 sessions. The side effects are minimal, with some redness that quickly subsides.
For other types of peels, results are visible in a single session: the skin is smoother, flawless, and radiant.
However, for medium and deep peels, side effects are more frequent. Redness and peeling occur after the session. There are also sensations of warmth and discomfort that appear both during the session and often persist for a few hours afterward.
For these types of peels, specific follow-up is often necessary to prevent more problematic side effects, such as scabs that do not heal well and/or possible minor infections that would need to be treated.
FAQs
How long does the peeling phase last after a chemical 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 pieces of skin gradually detaching, particularly around the mouth and nose.
How to take care of your skin during the peeling period?
You can apply moisturizing cream to the area during this period if you wish 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 like oil and tanning cream to your skin.
Are the results of a peel immediately visible?
The effects of the peel are visible from the first treatment. However, it is necessary to wait until the end of the protocol (three to four sessions spaced about 15 days apart) to observe optimal results.
Can I apply makeup to my skin during the peeling phase?
Makeup is prohibited during the peeling period; you should opt for a tinted, restorative cream with sun protection (Bioderma™ BB cream®). The skin then returns to its normal state with a marked improvement in fine lines, complexion, and enlarged pores.
Which products are not recommended after a peel?
All products that can be aggressive to the skin are not recommended; you should opt for a nourishing, repairing treatment rich in fluid hyaluronic acid. For a deep peel, dermal destruction justifies a cream like Biafine.
Conclusion
Now you know all about peels. As you've understood, depending on your skin type, age, and skin imperfections, the recommended type of peel can offer good results. It is essential to entrust this procedure to specialized, trained professionals in institutes, beauty centers, or aesthetic clinics.
At SSSKin, we are available if you would like more information on the types of peels; please do not hesitate to contact us.
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