Chemical Peels

What are chemical peels?

Chemical peels use topical treatments to gently remove the surface of your skin. Without the dull dead cells, the skin looks fresher. Following treatment, new skin grows to make your complexion smoother, softer and more youthful.

The Medical Chambers Kensington offers superficial, medium, or deep chemical peels. The treatments are classified according to the level of resurfacing. Deeper peels remove more skin layers, which improves the results but also makes your downtime and recovery longer.

What do chemical peels treat?

Age, sun damage and too many late nights can make your skin dull, tired and lifeless. Home exfoliation can brighten your skin, but the effects are limited. Controlled chemical peels remove more of the surface layers to reveal smooth, radiant and blemish-free skin. Chemical peels can be used to treat:

• Freckles and age spots.
• Acne scarring.
• Dull and lacklustre skin.
• Uneven skin texture.
• Enlarged pores.

Recovery from chemical peels?

Your recovery depends on your skin and the depth of the peel.

Superficial peel recovery: There is very little downtime following a superficial peel. You may notice mild redness, skin flaking and soreness for a few days after treatment.

Medium chemical peel recovery:  After a medium peel, your skin may be red, swollen and irritated. After a few days, crusts and brown patches appear, which peel to reveal new skin. After a week, most of the crusting should have settled, but the redness can last for several weeks.

Deep chemical peel recovery: A deep peel causes significant pain, redness and swelling. You will need much more downtime after treatment. After the first few days, white spots, cysts, and crusts appear and the eyelids may get severely swollen. After two to three weeks the crusts resolve and new skin is revealed - but the redness is often noticeable for several months.

After a peel, you should avoid picking and touching the tender skin. It’s very important to avoid sunlight and use effective sunblock. Your consultant will recommend treatments to soothe your skin, advise about safe ways of concealing redness and provide individual advice about aftercare and follow-up.

Why choose The Medical Chambers for chemical peels?

The Medical Chambers provides professional, safe and effective care in a state-of-the-art Kensington Clinic.

• Consultant-delivered service: All patients attending the clinic will be seen by a highly-qualified consultant cosmetic dermatologist with extensive knowledge, experience and skills.
• Treatment you can trust:  Our consultants use the highest quality chemicals and perform carefully controlled and supervised peels to achieve excellent aesthetic results.
• Legacy: Over ten years The Medical Chambers Kensington has built a reputation for excellence and the highest standards of service and professionalism.
• Comprehensive care: With a team of world-leading consultants from different specialties under one roof, if you need to see another specialist we can arrange for rapid referral to a trusted expert.
• Bespoke treatment programmes: The Medical Chambers Kensington believes in an individual approach to skincare. Your consultant will carefully assess your skin and your goals before recommending a resurfacing treatment programme to optimise your skin health and enhance your natural beauty.

What happens in chemical peels?

Your consultant will assess your skin and select a peeling chemical to treat your problems and help you achieve your goals. There is no need for any anaesthetic for more superficial treatments.

Your consultant will cleanse and prepare your skin. They will paint the chemical onto your face. It’s a little like applying a face-mask. They will leave the chemical in place for a short time, carefully observing and monitoring your skin throughout.

Finally, your consultant will carefully remove the peel, applying treatment to neutralise the chemical if necessary. You may notice some tingling, stinging and irritation but the process should not be painful.

Preparation for chemical peels

Preparation before a chemical peel can reduce problems and improve recovery. We recommend that you:

• Avoid alcohol for twenty-four hours before and after treatment.
• Stop retinoids, glycolic acids and other chemical exfoliants before treatment.
• Talk to your GP or consultant about medication. Aspirin, ibuprofen and some supplements and herbal medicines can increase your risk of bruising. If possible, you should stop them one week before treatment.

Complications of chemical peels

Chemical peels are very safe, however there can be side-effects especially after deeper peels:

• Pigmentation problems. You may notice irregular skin pigmentation. This is more of a risk in women who are on the pill or become pregnant. Pigmentation problems are also more common in people with black, Asian or olive skin.
• Skin scarring.
• Infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.
• Cold sores. Peels can trigger an attack in people with cold sores. See your GP or talk to your consultant about preventative anti-viral medication.