Skin Peeling

Skin peeling uses plant or chemical substances which, depending on the strength of their active ingredient, their concentration or the amount of time they remain applied, destroy the top layer of the skin, i.e. all or part of the epidermis and they may penetrate the upper dermis, depending on the result sought.

There are several types of skin peeling

Fruit acid peeling (glycolic, lactic, mandelic and other acids) that improve the brightness of the complexion but are too light to have any decisive action on the components of skin ageing. They have a “refreshing” effect, improving the complexion, but need to be repeated.

Light and superficial peeling peel the skin by exfoliation and affect the complexion. This is a scrub that scrubs away certain superficial imperfections of the epidermis. They have a moderate action on the components of skin ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Medium or deep peeling (using PHENOL) on the other hand, is the performance of true abrasion that can destroy the epidermis and the upper layer of the dermis. It is a controlled chemical burn. The controlling aspect depends on the type of peeling, the concentration of the product or the length of time for which it is applied. The procedure makes it possible to deal with signs of ageing especially those caused by the sun (moles, elastosis, superficial or medium wrinkles).

The procedure

  • Superficial skin peeling is performed in the doctor’s office and does not require anaesthesia.
  • Deep skin peeling is performed in the clinic under general anaesthesia or neuroleptanalgesia with out-patient hospitalisation (sometimes local anaesthesia is used if the area is narrow as on the lips).
  • After cleaning and disinfecting the skin, the product is applied, according to a protocol (concentration, amount of time of application) that is specific to each type of peeling and depending on the seriousness of the faults to be corrected, the area to be treated, skin quality and the purpose sought.
  • Use of an LED lamp after the session will improve the result and reduce the redness.
  • Localised treatments, applied carefully and with serious precautions, based on oils are applied, or dressings used until complete healing is achieved, about 10 days to a fortnight for skin peeling using phenol. Subsequently, emollient creams should be applied to sensitive skin. Suitable make-up and sun screen are recommended to camouflage the treated skin’s red or pink appearance for between two and six months.
  • The sequels and possible complications will be explained to you by Dr COURBIER during the consultation and in the literature supplied to you.

My opinion

While superficial skin peeling, a technique that is not very invasive, is of interest since it gives a “healthy look”, only deep peeling (using phenol) is really effective on deep wrinkles. On the other hand, the post-operative restrictions are much more demanding and the patient is out of action for a longer period.

SOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE CHIRURGIE PLASTIQUE, RECONSTRUCTRICE & ESTHÉTIQUE
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