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Chemical Peel for Acne Scars, Acne, Hyperpigmentation and Wrinkles
Rejuvenate your skin with a chemical peel treatment at Curamed Aesthetics!
What is a Chemical Peel?
Sometimes called dermapeeling or chemexfoliation, a chemical peel involves applying a chemical solution to your skin. The solution causes the skin’s topmost layer (the epidermis) to exfoliate and “peel” off, allowing your skin to renew itself. As the skin peels off, your skin will gradually heal. Chemical peels are typically performed on the face, neck, chest, and hands and can be performed as a standalone or in conjunction with other skin treatments.
Most skin types can undergo a chemical peel, but a detailed consultation with our team will be necessary to assess your skin type, overall health, and other criteria to ensure you are a suitable candidate.
What Are Chemical Peels For? Conditions a Chemical Peel Can Treat
A chemical peel can be beneficial in treating specific skin conditions.
Chemical Peels for Fine Lines and Wrinkles
When a chemical peel exfoliates the skin, it also stimulates collagen within the skin to “activate” and causes the renewing skin to level depressions left by fine lines, wrinkles, or even scars, making your skin appear youthful once more. You may need several sessions to maximise results for deeper wrinkles or scars.
Chemical Peels for Acne
Acne is a skin condition in which the pores or hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil (sebum). Chemical peels can reliably treat acne depending on the peel’s depth; mild acne is generally treatable with a light peel, which exfoliates the epidermis and can potentially remove acne blockages. The chemical peels also contain anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce sebum secretions to the skin, which can minimise the risk of acne breakouts.
Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Acne scars are marks left behind when acne clears up, which is why they are considered scars. Depending on the nature and severity of your acne scars, you will be recommended the appropriate chemical peel to treat them. However, not all acne scars may be treatable using chemical peels, and we will notify you if this is the case during the initial consultation and can recommend other treatments that can help.
Chemical Peels for Hyperpigmentation
Even for cases of hyperpigmentation, or the darkening of skin due to excess melanin, chemical peels can brighten pigmented skin and promote skin renewal. The peel will encourage the growth of new skin while gradually removing patches of skin where discolouration occurs, slowly bringing your skin tone even as the new skin layer grows. As such, chemical peels can be helpful to treat melasma, a disorder that causes discolouration of the skin and mainly affects pregnant women.
Types of Chemical Peels
There are three different chemical peels, each with specific applications for various skin conditions.
Superficial/Light Peel
A light (sometimes called a lunchtime) peel only targets the skin’s surface layer, the epidermis. Our staff carefully applies the chemical peel solution to your skin during this procedure using a cotton ball, gauze, or brush. Once completed, we apply a neutralising solution to remove the remaining chemical peel solution. Light peels are recommended for subtly improving your skin’s condition over a few sessions.
Medium Peel
Medium peels can treat the epidermis and the dermis, your skin’s middle layer. After applying the chemical peel solution with a gauze, sponge, or a cotton-tipped applicator, your skin will gradually whiten. As this happens, we gently place cool compresses to soothe the treated areas and provide you with a handheld fan to help with this process.
The Benefits of the Chemical Peel Process
A professional chemical peel can benefit your skin in many ways.
- Treats various skin concerns.
- Brightens your skin.
- Helps treat uneven skin tone.
- Treat sun-damaged skin.
- Positive long-term results with proper aftercare.
The Chemical Peel Process
Before Treatment
You will first meet with our staff to discuss your treatment goals and assess your skin’s condition, which is necessary to determine if you are an ideal candidate. You can also ask questions about the procedure and to clarify any doubts or confusion you may have. After the consultation, we will provide you with a list of things to do in preparation for your first session.
- Avoid direct sunlight or tanning for two weeks before your appointment.
- Unless told otherwise, avoid products containing retinoids at least one or two weeks before treatment.
- If you have a prescription for oral antibiotics or antiviral medicine, take it at least 24 hours before the appointment.
- Avoid any hair removal or hair dyeing a week before treatment.
- Avoid using facial masks or scrubs one week before treatment.
- Ensure your face has no open sores or skin infections.
- Notify staff well in advance if you have a history of scarring or cold sores or have recently attended a facial X-ray.
- Follow the provided pre-care instructions closely before your treatment.
During Treatment
When you arrive for the procedure, our staff will clean your face thoroughly and cover your eyes and hair to protect them from the peel. They will then apply a numbing cream to the treatment area to minimise any discomfort you may experience during the procedure. Once you are ready, they will gradually use the chemical peel solution to pre-determined areas of your skin, as discussed in the consultation. Depending on your choice of peel depth, the procedure can take less than an hour to 1.5 hours.
During the peel, you may experience a burning sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation that goes away after some time. Cool compresses to the skin can help ease the discomfort, but you might need pain medication for deeper peels.
After Treatment
Once the chemical peel is complete, you may also experience significant skin redness, irritation, frequent stinging, and gradual scaling that ends after three to seven days. The intensity of the aftereffects and your recovery downtime will vary depending on the depth of the chemical peel, so follow the aftercare instructions to ensure consistent and optimistic results. Light peels can be repeated at one to four-week intervals to achieve your desired look.
Light peels have the shortest downtime, with a recovery period ranging from a few hours to seven days, while medium peels may require five to seven days. However, deep peels may take a few months to recover: new skin may develop within two weeks or so after treatment, but the redness and other side effects may not subside until a month or so.
Chemical Peel Singapore FAQs
How long does it take for a chemical peel to heal?
Superficial/light and medium peels generally take anywhere between five days to a week to heal completely. In contrast, deeper peels may take between 14 and 21 days to recover, while you may still experience discolouration for up to 3 months.
Which chemical peel is the right one for me?
In the initial consultation, we can help you determine the ideal chemical peel treatment for your skin care needs. We will perform a thorough assessment of your skin, accounting for any allergies you may have, and then help you devise a comprehensive treatment plan that suits you.
Is it normal for skin to form crusts after a chemical peel?
As your skin heals after the treatment, it is normal to swell and gradually form crusts or scabs. You should allow the crusts to form and fall off on their own, as this is part of your recovery process. Your choice of chemical peel depth can dictate the recovery downtime before your new skin forms, so ensure you follow our aftercare instructions after treatment to improve your recovery and the results of your peel.
Can I resume my daily activities after a chemical peel?
We advise that you allow your skin to make a complete recovery before resuming your regular schedule. For one, avoid exercising, direct sun exposure, and alcohol consumption while recovering, as you can inadvertently affect your skin’s healing process.
What should I do if the post-treatment discomfort and redness persists?
Please contact our staff immediately if you experience any abnormal effects during your recovery, and we will do our best to help you.
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Meet Our Doctor
Dr. Kan Hun Yee
Headed by our director and sole founder, Dr Kan, who is not just a certified family physician by the College of Family Physician, as she is also a certified Aesthetic Physician with the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.
She possess a number of qualifications which speaks to her knowledge:
- Medical Degree (University of Southampton, UK)
- Diploma in Family Medicine (National University of Singapore)
- Diploma in Dermatology (Cardiff, UK)
- Diploma in aesthetic medicine (American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine)
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