The Side Effects of Chemical Peels: Are They Safe?

Chemical Peels can be a scary concept if you’ve never had one. So are they actually safe?

  One of the most popular treatments for our face is the chemical peel. As the name suggests, it involves using a particular chemical solution to rapidly exfoliate the skin and remove damaged outer layers. This stimulates the underlying cells of the skin and encourages regeneration of new cells. By encouraging the regeneration of new skin, you help to improve overall tone and texture. You can get over-the-counter peels that you can do at home. But these are very mild, and don’t always give you the result you’re after. If you’re looking for more visible results, then it’s important to get this done by a professional skin care therapist. This is someone who is trained to safely administer chemical peels, and can properly analyse your skin condition to use the right chemical type. The mere thought of ‘peeling’ your skin is a scary concept! Especially if you haven’t had it done before. We’ve all seen the horror stories on television or magazines – people who have experienced blistering, red, blotchy skin. So maybe it doesn’t seem as pleasant and rejuvenating as advertised?… But – when done right, chemical peels are a great treatment to use to help resolve acne scarring, certain wrinkle types, uneven skin tone and dull skin. Compared to other treatment types, it can be a cost-effective way to give you that rejuvenated look you’ve been after. And, when administered properly, the side effects of chemical peels can be minimized, leaving you with a much more pleasant experience. As with any cosmetic treatment type, we find it’s important to educate yourself so that you know what’s involved and what to expect. So yes – there are a few chemical peel risks that you’ll have to take if you want improved skin texture. So, let’s check it out and actually look at what you can expect.  

So, what actually happens with a Chemical Peel Treatment?

There are many ways to do a chemical peel treatment. But overall, the gist of it is the same, no matter what chemicals or techniques are used. It’s a non-invasive treatment that is performed at your local skin therapist clinic. On average, the treatment time usually takes around half an hour, so you don’t have to clear out your whole day for this. Before treatment, you should have an assessment with your skin care therapist. It’s important for them to understand your concerns and your skin condition. This will help them identify the type of peel that would be best suited for your skin. The first step of your treatment involves cleaning your skin. It’s important to remove any makeup and residual oils and lotions from your skin. Your therapist will tell you how to prepare your skin at home before coming in for your treatment.  

Applying the Chemical Peel Treatment

Next, a chemical solution is applied (either by brush or sponge) to the areas of your skin being treated. Examples of solutions that may be used include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and carbolic acid. The idea of these solutions is to create a “controlled wound”. Don’t worry – it sounds worse than what it is! It essentially replicates what would happen if you had an actual wound to your skin – new cells are stimulated to “heal” this wound quickly.

As a result of the treatment, you are removing the tougher, outside layer of the skin. This leaves more delicate skin exposed below.

Because of this, you may feel some form of burning or stinging sensation during the treatment. Your skin care therapist will guide you through this, and will tell you what to expect depending on your chemical peel type. The peel is left on your skin for around five to ten minutes. Once done, your therapist will rinse (or wipe off) the solution. Typically they will then apply a cool saline compress on the skin to ease any stinging sensation.  

A Chemical Peel is a form of Advanced Exfoliation

So, how does that sound? If you’re feeling a little nervous, that’s completely normal. It’s actually the reason why some dermatologists and skin care professionals prefer to call this procedure an exfoliation rather than a peel. It is what it is, though. A peel is basically a more advanced form of exfoliation.

Whichever chemical solution is used, your skin care therapist should always explain why it’s the best for your skin type or specific problem. 

 

Am I a good candidate for a chemical peel?

Let’s start this off by answering who wouldn’t be a good candidate for a peel. Chemical Peel treatments typically aren’t recommended for people with active skin infections, open wounds in the area being treated, undergoing laser treatments, or have a history of drugs that have photosensitising potential. When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask your professional skin care therapist.  

Chemical Peel Types to help improve skin condition

During your consultation, your skin care therapist will assess your skin condition. Based on your goals and your specific needs, your therapist will determine the peel insistity which should be used. There are 3 types of chemical peels, each of which has a certain group of people who can benefit the most.  

Light chemical peel

If you have acne, mild scars, wrinkles, spots, and dull skin caused by sun exposure, you are definitely a good candidate for a light peel. Even people who have little to none of these issues and just want their skin to have a healthier, smoother glow can go for it.

For all first-timers, this is a good choice since it only involves removing the epidermis, or outermost layer of the skin, through light exfoliation. 

The chemicals used – usually glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, or maleic acid, are quite mild.  

Medium chemical peel

Typically, you are a good candidate for a medium-depth peel if you have deeper wrinkles, acne scars, or an uneven skin tone. In addition to the epidermis, the upper part of the middle layer of your skin, known as dermis, will also be removed. This peel can be given to someone who has already gone through a light chemical peel treatment. The chemicals used are much more potent, like TCA (trichloroacetic acid), glycolic acid, and Jessner’s solution. Medium-depth peels can only be repeated after six months because the intensity leads to more long-term, improved skin texture.  

Deep chemical peel

Finally, there’s the deep peel, which is best for those with deeper facial wrinkles, scars, blotchy areas, or even pre-cancerous growths.

This is an intense treatment, so your professional practitioner should carefully consider whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure or not.

Since phenol (the strongest possible chemical), will be used to remove skin cells up to the lower dermal layer of skin, patients must undergo pre-treatment around eight weeks prior. This prepares the skin for the peel and speeds up the subsequent healing process. It’s important not to have a deep peel if you suffer from heart disease, since phenol poses risks for people with the condition. Also, only go for the treatment if you can commit to staying away from the sun as much as possible for two weeks afterwards.  

Ensuring you use the best type of chemical peel

If you have questions and concerns about your skin, the best thing to do is discuss with your provider about which chemical peel is right for you. Some chemicals are better at treating acne, while others greatly minimise fine lines. Those with sensitive skin should also be treated with gentler peels compared to other skin types. There are also various percentages of ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid. Again (and this cannot be stressed enough), your skin care professional should inform you as to what specific ingredients and procedure will suit you the most.  

What are some possible side effects of chemical peels?

There are some potential chemical peel side effects. Some will last longer than others, depending on the intensity of the peel, and the sensitivity of your skin. Some potential side effects include:

• Hyperpigmentation (when the skin has too much pigment, leading to brown spots)
• Infection
• Redness
• Flaking or scaling
• Lighter skin (for deeper peels)

 

How can I minimise risk of chemical peels?

Taking the time to look after your skin following a chemical peel is important. Your skin care therapist will provide you with guidance, based on your skin’s reaction and the intensity of the treatment. Depending on the intensity of the peel, any redness, flaking, or scaling can take from three days up to a week to subside. A deeper peel usually results in swelling and much flakier skin that will continue to peel for at least a week following treatment. This can be itchy as the skin continues to regrow. It’s important not to pick at this, as this can result in scarring. Your therapist should inform you how long to expect any side effects to take to heal. Regardless, it’s best to moisturise your skin during this period to avoid dryness. For all types of peels, there is a risk of hyperpigmentation. This can be minimised by using high-factor sunscreen and avoiding the sun whenever possible. Also, the phenol used (in a deep peel) will lighten the skin. This means it won’t tan normally for a few months and will, again, need protection from the sun. Make sure that the sunscreen you use is a minimum of SPF 30 (the higher, the better). There can be a risk of infection following your peel. The procedure essentially works by creating “opens wounds” and therefore it’s more susceptible to dirt and other outside elements. It’s important to keep your skin clean following treatment. It’s also a good idea to minimize the use of heavy makeup straight after your treatment. Light, mineral-based makeup is typically suggested.  

Choosing the right Professional for your Chemical Peel Treatment

Chemical peels are safe, provided they are administered by a trained professional. When done properly, common skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone can be improved; leaving you with healthy, glowing skin. Your skin care therapist will work with you to assess your skin type and determine which peel intensity will work best for you. If you’re ever unsure, the best option is to take it slow. Make sure you take the time to talk to them and understand their guidance. It’s a good idea to start with a gentle peel that will leave you with minimal flaking. In fact, most people who have gentle peels barely notice any flaking and discomfort. Once you start to see noticeable results from a few rounds of gentle peels, you can then discuss more intensive treatments with your skin care provider. To find a local skin therapist in your area, check out our local Chemical Peel directory. We host Australia’s largest directory of professional non-surgical cosmetic therapy providers. Once you’ve found your local practitioner, all that’s left to do is lie back and let the exfoliation do the work.