Chemical Peels

Understanding Chemical Peels

Chemical peeling is a treatment where certain chemicals are applied to the skin to breakdown the outer damaged layers, thus hastening the normal process of exfoliation. Different agents produce different depths of penetration, and therefore, chemical peels are differentiated based on the histologic level of damage that they cause.

Salicylic acid is the best peeling agents for the treatment of acne scars. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) agent, which removes intercellular lipids that are covalently linked to the cornified envelope surrounding keratinized cells.

Compared to other types of chemical peels, salicylic acid is lipid soluble. Therefore it is able to penetrate the sebaceous fatty material in hair follicles and exfoliate as well as unclog the pores.

Salicylic acid peels are recommended to be performed monthly. The side effects of salicylic acid peeling are mild and transient including erythema and skin dryness. Long term post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or scarring due to the chemical peeling are extremely rare.

The advantages of salicylic acid include established safety in almost all skin types, frosting (formation of white precipitate) to show homogenous application, and a numbing effect that can be useful in combination treatments. The disadvantage of salicylic acid is an intense sensation of stinging and burning.

Salicylic acid is also found in certain skincare products, such as Dr Bob Remedies BHA Lotion and is an active ingredient in Silkpeel Dermalinfusion Pore Clarifying Pro Infusion Serum.

pHformula Chemical peels

Chemical peels have the capability to disrupt epidermal cell cohesion and subsequent regeneration. The peeling effect enables removal of epidermal melanin as well as melanin from keratinocytes. Chemical peels also halts melanosome transfer to keratinocytes.

Literature evidence has shown that clearance of melasma is better and faster when topical treatment is combined with chemical peels. Peels yield good results in epidermal melasma.

The unique pHformula powerclay formula used in the M.E.L.A. resurfacing treatments is a powerful hyperpigmentation treatment designed to reduce the accumulation of epidermally located melanin. It effectively inhibits the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase, whilst stimulating epidermal differentiation and therefore accelerates epidermal cellular turnover causing the removal of already formed melanin pigment. Due to the innovative highly effective mode of action, significant visible results are obtained with minimal risk.