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The ageing process is a dynamic continuing gradual process. No single treatment option is able to address all the various factors of ageing and provide a complete solution to each individual’s needs. Thus in general most patients will be advised to have a series of treatments specifically tailored to the patient’s needs and expectations. Please double click onto the treatments below to find out more. |
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Chemical Peels |
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Chemical peel treatments involve the careful application of a chemical exfoliant to the epidermal skin specifically for the removal of superficial lesions and blemishes, thus improving the texture of the skin. This can include hyperpigmentation caused by acne scars and melasma. Melasma is an irregular darkening of the skin which usually occurs on the cheeks or around the mouth area and can be caused by the sun, pregnancy, or the oral contraceptive pill. Chemical face peels are also very good at reducing age spots on the backs of your hands and for improving crepey skin around the chest or decolletage area. Chemical peel treatments are also really good at reducing pore size and improving acne prone skin. In addition it rejuvenates the skin and thus can be used for anti ageing purposes to improve fine lines and wrinkles and to give a slight lift to the face. Various acid types and base chemical agents are used for this purpose. The nature of the compound, the chemical concentration, and the amount of time it is in contact with the skin will determine the skin penetration and level of peeling. The Beauty Doctor only generally recommends light and medium peels as these are safe and require minimal or no down time.
The AHA peels are the gentlest chemical peel treatments, causing redness for 1-2 days maximum after the initial treatment and no peeling. When used occasionally, these peels are perfect to refresh a sallow complexion. Alternatively, a course of several treatments once a week can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, rejuvenate the skin, and improve slight irregular pigmentation.
TCA peels are slightly deeper, but involve removal of the dead skin cell layers only. Because of this, the down time is longer. The skin will feel tight and red immediately after the peel, and will then begin to gently peel. This process will last anything from 2 days to 8 days, depending on the patient's skin type and condition. In addition the cost of the TCA peel includes a regimen of pre peel and post peel creams which help soothe and rejuvenate the skin further. The advantage of using a TCA chemical face peel is that, because it is deeper, it is more effective at removing skin blemishes and pigmentation, such as melasma, and the anti-ageing effects are also seen quicker. A typical anti-ageing course consists of 4 peels at 1 week intervals and then a rest period of at least 1 month.
The Innovative Concept Peel (ICP peel) is a chemical peel treatment formulated especially for skin types IV-VI who easily pigment after the slightest irritation or trauma to the skin. It improves skin blemishes and hyperpigmentation or melasma, removes fine lines and wrinkles as it has an anti-ageing effect, and improves acne prone skin and reduces pore size. It consists of not just the peel itself, but also of 3 different post peel creams to be used at certain times after the treatment, as well as a specially formuated facial wash and skin block, vital in preventing any post inflammatory hyperpigmentation during sunny spells. The ICP peel is the safest peel to use on Asian and Afro-caribbean skin as the likelihood of post peel hyperpigmentation is extremely rare compared to the AHA and TCA peels. From personal experience, it works for me, but the downside is that one course of treatment lasts 28 days, which means that the maximum number of treatments allowed is one per month. Again, recovery time is variable, rangeing from 3 days to 10 days depending on the patient, and can involve redness with some mild peeling.
With all the chemical face peels described it is safe to apply make up to cover any redness or peeling experienced after the treatment
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