Spotlight On Chemical Peels | Aesthetics at The Skin Clinic

You have probably heard of chemical peels and perhaps even know friends and family that have had peels in the past, but what exactly do they entail, and should you consider one? Dr. Mottram of The Skin Clinic, Galgorm, explains all.

What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels have been around for hundreds of years, dating back to Egyptian times when Queen Cleopatra was famously known for bathing in sour goat’s milk, to improve the look and texture of her skin. Fast forward to 2022 and while modern day peels are much more advanced, many are still derived from various fruits and natural ingredients.

Lauded for their glow-giving properties, the beauty of peels and the sheer variety of options available mean they can be used for a vast array of different skin problems including dull, tired looking skin, acne prone skin, excessive pigmentation, oily or dry skin, enlarged pores and even fine lines and wrinkles.

The Science Behind Chemical Peels

The superficial peels promote exfoliation of the uppermost layer of skin to reveal healthier cells that improve the texture and feel of the skin. In addition to promoting exfoliation many of our peels work by unclogging blocked pores, breaking down oils, as well as boasting antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and problem pigment reducing properties.

What Can I Expect During & After My Chemical Peel?

After a medical consultation to determine your particular skin concern a peel will be selected for you by Dr Mottram. To start the process we will cleanse and degrease the skin. Delicate areas such as lips, nostrils and around your eyes will be protected by a barrier cream. The peel will then carefully be applied and left onto the skin for a number of minutes. The strength of the peel can be determined by the length of time the peel is left on the face (1-5 minutes) or by the number of layers of peel applied. During the peel process you will usually feel a pleasant warm feeling on the skin.

At The Skin Clinic we offer a range of superficial – medium peels, rather than deep peels, meaning that they can be used alongside microdermabrasion and micro needling to further enhance the results, while still consisting of minimal downtime. After a superficial peel the skin may appear a little pink/flushed, usually settling within hours. Moisturiser will alleviate any dry or tight feeling. Despite the name, many clients may not be aware of any peeling at all and it is important to highlight that obvious peeling is not necessary to achieve the desired results. A slightly stronger peel, or peels combined with other treatments may cause minor peeling for a few days. Our aim is always natural looking results with minimal downtime.

As with any aesthetics treatment, it is important to select a professional practitioner. At The Skin Clinic Dr. Mottram. Is delighted to offer the SkinCeuticals Gel Peel GL; containing 20% Glycol Acid, 10% Lactic acid with a pH of 3.2. This gentle pH peel makes it ideal for any gender, age group and any Fitzpatrick skin type. It is ideal for sensitive skin, used to treat problematic skin (with or without breakouts) photo damage and to improve skin elasticity and wrinkles.

Aftercare 

After any peels the skin will be more sensitive to the sun and it is therefore vitally important to protect against the sun’s damaging rays by using a Broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen. Choosing an anti-oxidant serum such as the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic will enhance the results of any peels reducing fine lines and helping stimulate collagen.

For more information and to enquire with Dr. Mottram, click here