How do chemical peels work?

A chemical peel treatment is similar to exfoliation, except it uses chemicals in place of a physical scrub and can have a far more dramatic result. For example, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

This chemical exfoliation is a liquid solution that removes the top layer of the skin, or more depending on the severity of the case. How deeply the exfoliation goes depends on which skin peel is chosen.

The skin peels work by causing a controlled injury to the skin. This removes damaged or dead skin cells and stimulates new collagen and, as a result, new skin growth in the weeks to come. The collagen can also tighten the skin, which further reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The skin undergoes a phase of self-repair in removing the dead cells and emerges at the other end in a better condition than it started.

Skin Preparation

A skin peel works through a minimum of one to two layers of skin — with the first two layers being the epidermis (the visible outer layer) and the dermis (beneath the skin surface).

Depending on the type of peel you are having, and for what reasons, it may be necessary to treat your skin with some prescription-strength creams for 2–6 weeks before having your peel. The purpose of this preparation is to enhance the effects of the peel and to reduce the chances of developing complications afterwards.

During this period of skin preparation, it is necessary to wear high factor sunscreen on a daily basis, even on cloudy days, and it is important that you keep up your sunscreen use and good skin care practices throughout the course of your peels and during any healing periods afterwards.

When you get your chemical peels at our clinic, we will guide you throughout the preparation and recovery periods.

Side Effects and Complications

The risk of side effects and complications depends on the depth of the peel: deep skin peels have a high risk of complications, whereas superficial skin peels are relatively low risk.

Following a superficial peel, your skin will remain red for the first 24–48 hours. Around 3 or 4 days after the treatment you will notice some light peeling, similar to the effect of having very dry skin. Most people are able to tolerate this whilst going about their day-to-day activities, so the treatment usually has no downtime.

Possible complications with deeper skin peels include mild scarring and loss of pigmentation, although it would be rare for these effects to happen with modern superficial chemical peeling techniques.

Ready to rejuvenate your skin with a facial peel in Glasgow? 

Chat to us about your skin concerns and we will find the right chemical peel treatment for you.