WHAT ARE RESURFACING SKIN PEELS?
Resurfacing Skin Peels (or chemical peels) involve peeling solutions applied to the skin to remove dead cells and promote the growth of new cells in their place.
Resurfacing Skin Peels can help to improve skin tone by reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. They are categorised as superficial, medium, or deep, depending on the level of penetration into the skin.

HOW DO RESURFACING SKIN PEELS WORK?
A chemical solution is applied to the skin and left on for a short time before it’s neutralised with cool saline compresses (pads soaked in a salt water solution).
The process works to remove - or ‘peel away’ - the outer, damaged layers of skin so that new, fresh skin cells can grow in their place. The amount of skin removed will depend on the type of chemical your qualified Practitioner uses as well as the chemical’s strength and the length of time it is left on your skin.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE A PEEL?
You will see our specialist doctor who will advise you on your home care programme which is usually performed 2-3 weeks prior to your first peel.

HOW MANY DO YOU NEED?
Usually a series of at least 2-4 very superficial and superficial peels are needed to treat ageing skin and acne scars. For deep scars, lines and wrinkles 1-2 medium peels may be needed.

WHAT IS IT LIKE AFTERWARD?
Superficial peels result in mild facial redness and occasional swelling but this usually resolves within 48 hours. Medium peels result in a more intense redness and possible swelling, which usually has a recovery time of 5 - 10 days.

WHAT SKIN PROBLEMS DO RESURFACING SKIN PEELS TREAT?
Resurfacing Skin Peels can be used to treat a range of skin problems. Superficially, peels can help to:

• smooth skin texture and dry, flaky skin
• balance uneven skin tones
• reduce the appearance of fine lines due to sun damage
• treat mild acne spots
• treat ‘age spots’ (brownish patches that can be caused by sun damage).

Medium-depth peels can help to reduce small wrinkle lines, some acne scars, and the appearance of certain pigmentation problems. Finally, deep peels can provide more dramatic results in reducing the appearance of deeper lines, wrinkles, and scars.

HOW OFTEN WOULD I REQUIRE TREATMENT?
The frequency of treatment depends upon your desired effects and the type of peel used in your treatment. For superficial (mild) peels, you’ll probably need to be treated weekly for four to six weeks in order to achieve optimal results.

You may wish to continue getting monthly peels to keep your skin looking its best. If you’re treated with a medium peel, your qualified Practitioner may suggest monthly treatments until you achieve the look you want as well as touch-up, or maintenance, peels every six to 12 months. With deep peels, one treatment is usually enough to produce dramatic, lasting improvements in your skin so it’s unlikely that you would need any follow-up treatments.

ARE THERE ANY REACTIONS TO TREATMENTS?
As with any skin treatment, chemical peels do have some risk. Possible side effects include:

• infection
• redness
• moderate to severe pain
• cold sore outbreaks
• appearance of small raised cysts or white spots
• temporary tightness or swelling of the skin.

If you’re considering a deep peel, be sure to talk to your qualified Practitioner about the risk of hypopigmentation - a permanent bleaching, or lightening, of the skin - before your treatment. This is the most common problem associated with deep peels and the bleaching is permanent; so it’s something to think about before you decide on treatment.

It’s also possible to experience the opposite problem - hyperpigmentation, or the temporary appearance of dark patches of skin. To help reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation, you should avoid unprotected exposure to the sun by always wearing a high-factor sunscreen (minimum 30+ SPF).

The deeper the peel, the higher the risk for pigmentation (both hypo- and hyper-pigmentation) problems afterwards. People with darker complexions are also at higher risk.

Resurfacing Skin Peels aren’t for everyone. Be sure to discuss your specific skin problems as well as general health history with a Deborah Forsythe Practitioner. Depending on the type of peel, your qualified Practitioner may not recommend this treatment if you have a history of scarring or have abnormal skin colouring, a dark complexion, or red hair with freckled skin.

WHAT IS HYPERPIGMENTATION?
Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of skin caused by an overabundance of pigment. This results in the appearance of brownish spots or blotches on the skin.

WHAT IS HYPOPIGMENTATION?
Hypopigmentation is the whitening, or bleaching, of the skin due to a loss of pigment.

ARE RESURFACING SKIN PEELS PAINFULL?
During treatment, you may experience a degree of sensations, depending on the depth of the peel used. Superficial or medium-depth peels may cause a mild to moderate stinging or burning sensation during the procedure and for a short time afterward.