A chemical peel can help reduce wrinkles, acne scars, age spots, sun damage, and other blemishes. The process involves applying the solution to the face which causes the top layer of dead skin cells to slough off.
This reveals smoother and brighter-looking skin underneath.
Medical chemical peels are a common initial step in a tailored programme to help you look younger and rejuvenate the skin on your face, neck, decolletage and hands.
The treatment is an advanced technique of removing dead skin cells to leave the skin tauter and glowing.
Dead skin cells normally absorb light causing skin dullness and blocking skin's natural rejuvenating signals from stimulating its natural repair.
With medical grade peels the depth and strength of the treatment can be adjusted to not only improve the condition of your outer layer of skin but also to address discoloration and scarring such as acne scars.
At her Sevenoaks clinic, Dr Paulina Charlesworth tailors the treatment to how your skin reacts to the treatment and to maximise its benefits without any side effects. The deepest peels create a tightening and lifting effect on the face and can only be prescribed by doctors with specialist knowledge in anti-ageing.
What is a chemical peel good for?
Chemical peels are often used for treating acne-prone skin as they help unclog pores and reduce inflammation making the skin appear smoother.
They can also be beneficial for those with oily or combination skin types as they remove excess oil from the surface of the face while still providing hydration deep within the layers of your epidermis.
Additionally, chemical peels are great for reducing signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production to plump up sagging areas on your face.
Is a chemical peel good for the skin?
The benefits of a chemical peel depend on the type used as well as how often you get them done.
Generally speaking, light peels such as lunchtime peels or ‘ZO Skin Health Stimulation’ peels are best for those who want subtle results with no downtime while deeper peels such as ‘ZO 3-step peels’ can provide more dramatic improvements in appearance over time.
In addition to improving overall complexion, some people find that their makeup goes on better after getting a chemical peel because their skin is so much smoother than before!
What chemical peel does Dr Paulina Charlesworth offer at her Sevenoaks clinic?
Dr Paulina uses Dr Obagi ZO® Skin Health medical grade peels which is the Number 1 skincare brand for Aesthetic Doctors in Europe.
'ZO® Red carpet/stimulation peel' is a great all-rounder peel which is a great introduction to peels. It has no 'downtime', meaning it's a great pick-me-up peel that will refresh your skin without any peeling or having to take any time off.
'ZO® Controlled depth peel' is recommended for use when scarring, severe laxity or severe texture damage, and advanced melasma are of concern.
'ZO® 3-step peel' Utilises a blend of exfoliants, retinol, and multi-action agents to help improve skin health and treat many signs of ageing. It also provides antioxidant protection as well as visible anti-irritant benefits.
Common Questions About Chemical Peels
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A light peel produces results that usually last between one and two months. A medium peel's results will last between two and six months, and the results of a deep peel last much longer.
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The results you get from a single session will depend on how strong the peel applied was but generally speaking, you should expect some improvement in tone and texture after one treatment.
However, if you want more dramatic results then multiple sessions may be necessary depending on what kind of condition your skin is in before starting treatments.
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Recovery time varies depending on how strong the peel was but typically it takes about 7-10 days for the strongest peels before all redness has subsided completely and any flaking or peeling has stopped entirely.
During this time, it’s important not to pick at any scabs that form as this could lead to scarring so make sure you keep them moisturized with a gentle cream or ointment until they heal naturally over time. ‘ZO Stimulation peel’ has no downtime, and your skin looks and feels smoother straight away.
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Chemical peels aren't without risks; they can cause redness or in some cases irritation, depending on how sensitive your skin is to certain ingredients used in the treatment process.
Additionally, there's always a chance that something could go wrong during application if not performed by an experienced professional such as Dr Paulina Charlesworth.
That said however these risks are minimal when compared with other types of cosmetic procedures.