Peeling What you need to know

Over time, certain imperfections appear on the skin.
These are called internal ageing/chronoaging and are more evident in women and men with light phototypes (light skin color and skin that reddens easily and is difficult to tan) and in skins that are thin and normal/dry (our oily skins "suffer" with acne at a young age, but show greater resistance over time).
In addition, the chronic and cumulative exposure to the sun (ultraviolet UV radiation) for professional reasons (working in the countryside, eg farmers) or leisure (various outdoor sports) adds to the above the photoaging which burdens our skin.
Peelings are aimed at people who notice the first signs of time or the sun on their skin.
These can be fine wrinkles, freckles and discolorations from the sun (skin spots), hyperkeratosis (hardening of the skin), dry and dull skin.

The peelings will renew the outer layer of the skin (keratin layer of the skin) and will cosmetically/aesthetically improve the skin, which will feel more radiant, soft, fresh and healthy. There are also special peels aimed at patients with acne and in addition to the medication they receive, they offer seborrhea regulation (regulation of the skin's oiliness and its tendency to retain sebum), while other deeper peels offer the aesthetic improvement of scars left by difficult forms acne.
Finally, special peelings that offer whitening also help patients with melasma (spots that appear on the face after pregnancy, etc.) for the aesthetic improvement of their problem.

Mechanical peeling with microcrystals has no restrictions as to the season in which it is performed

Strong chemical peels are best done in the months when there is no intense sunlight (fall to spring). Despite all these newer chemical peels, which are milder in terms of the irritation and peeling they create, they can also be done in the summer months with proper protection from the sun.

When we peel purely for cosmetological reasons to renew the skin, no preparation is required before the patient. Before applying the peeling chemical, the skin is thoroughly cleaned with a suitable cleanser-antiseptic to remove sebum, make-up and various impurities from its surface. After the skin has dried, the solution with which the peeling will be done is applied. This application causes a controlled irritation to the skin in order to renew it.

In cases where the dermatologist applies a therapeutic peeling to treat discoloration (stains) or acne, before the application of the peeling, medication has been applied by the patient at home. Thus, the skin is therapeutically prepared so that the peeling has an even greater effect. The patient will continue this treatment after 3-5 days (when the peeling irritation will disappear) until the next peeling application.

Among the things you should avoid 1-2 weeks before the application are electrolysis for facial hair removal, strong exposure to sunlight (sunbathing) and solarium

Instructions for the patient to follow after application?

Adverse effects from superficially peeling can be hyperpigmentation after exposure to sunlight so sunscreen cream with a high sun protection index should be used at all hours of the day to reduce the possibility of this unwanted effect. In case of severe skin irritation with intense redness and peeling, the patient can use a regenerating-moisturizing cream in the following days after application. We recommend gentle cleansing of the face with a soap-free product (on the face always with cold water), gentle drying with a towel, and moisturizing twice a day. It is good to avoid exposure to intense heat for the next few days (aerobic exercise, hair dryer for drying hair, sitting near a fireplace, etc.)

Sta medium peels or deep peelingthe instructions after the treatment are more and the patient should pay attention to more things and it also has some limitations.

• Use of mild painkillers, such as paracetamol, if needed
• Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment 2-3 times daily to reduce the risk of infection
• If you suffer from severe itching during recovery, antihistamines are recommended to stop the symptoms
• Sleep on your back with your head propped up on a few pillows to reduce swelling during sleep

• not the hair dryer too close to the face when drying the hair,
• not too hot water in the bathroom and especially in the face to be washed with cold water
• Do not sit near stoves, radiators, or over the stove when cooking. Be very careful of the iron vapors when ironing
• Avoid vigorous physical activity for about two weeks, thus allowing a smooth recovery

• Avoid scrubbing your face vigorously

• Avoid electrolysis or waxing for at least one month after peeling
• Start using a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor, and avoid direct sun exposure for at least 6 weeks
• Contact your doctor immediately if you notice signs of infection or color changes

• The mechanical pills with micro-crystals cause a mild irritation after application, which is treated with a moisturizing-regenerating cream which can also be used during the following days. Micro-crystal peels have virtually no recovery time, and offer an immediate return to work and activities
• Sta chemical peels development after application and recovery times depend on the depth of the peel.

i.         Ssuperficial peels usually show mild redness and possibly gentle peeling within the next 3-7 days (this peeling may not even be noticeable in very resistant skins). The most intense redness observed after the end of the procedure disappears in about two hours and only a very mild redness remains. Some patients do not experience any visible signs as a result of the previous treatment, but the benefit of peeling is there.
ii. In medium-depth and deep peelings, a brownish crust may occur more often, which gradually falls off. The speed of healing is a qualitative element of the skin but also depends on age (older skins tend to heal less quickly).

iii. Deep chemical peels are very invasive, cause a chemical burn and require long recovery times (15-30 days). They also require specific post-operative medication to prevent infections. For these reasons we do not recommend them as a treatment

No. It is not even necessary to apply anesthetic cream (xylocaine) before the application. The moisturizing mask that we apply after application offers deep hydration and fights the burning sensation caused by peeling.

Peels can also be combined with other deep antiaging applications (Botox, hyaluronic implants for filling wrinkles) which offer impressive results. Botox prevents the formation of expression lines (botox) while hyaluronic fillers fill deep wrinkles and loss of volume by correcting the geometry of the face. And the rest of the anti-aging applications that are done in depth, such as the application of support mesh threads or direct traction and lifting threads (lifting) are perfectly legitimate to be combined with the application of peelings.

From the anti-aging applications concerning the surface of the skin, peelings are perfectly combined with autologous mesotherapy (PRP) which, with the growth factors it contributes, contributes to the greater renewal and restoration of the skin and to the reduction of recovery time after peelings.

IN WHICH CASES ARE THEY INDICATED PEELINGS?

Topeeling should not be applied in the following cases:

• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, we prefer to do only mechanical peeling with microcrystals
• In very sun-exposed skin that has undergone a lot of thinning (atrophy)
• Patients with herpes simplex in a flare-up (in case the patient has recurrent episodes of herpes, it is advisable to take prophylactic antiherpetic treatment before peeling)
• Patients with a history of allergy to chemical peeling substances. In this case, we choose another type of chemical peeling or prefer the completely safe mechanical microcrystal peeling
• In patients with a history of keloid or hypertrophic scars
• In patients who present hives or other infection on their face
• In patients who have used within the last 6 months isotretinoin as a treatment for acne

Mmechanical peeling is also known as micro-crystal peeling or dermabrasion

It is a treatment that offers youthful skin, ideal skin cleansing, deep rejuvenation and skin radiance.

It is done with a special machine that shoots microcrystals (microdemabration) onto the outer layers of the skin (epidermis). In this way, it achieves the breakdown of the old stratum corneum and the mechanical detachment of dead cells (peeling). The result of this removal is that the new healthy cells of the skin come out and the skin becomes soft, the deep cleansing of the skin , the hyperemia of the skin (due to the improvement of blood circulation) and in the long term after repeated sessions the fibroblasts of the skin are activated for the production of collagen-elastin with a significant contribution to antiaging.
Thus the skin acquires: Softness and brightness, improved elasticity, a general rejuvenation that offers a velvety, shiny and pleasant appearance
The advantages of the treatment are that it is done without chemicals (so there is no possibility of any allergic skin reaction), it is painless, it is done without injury, it does not require recovery time (staying at home) as deep chemical peels require, nor are special protective measures required after application. It can be done without season restrictions, even in summer

When mechanical peels are applied with a therapeutic protocol (treatment of acne, discoloration, etc.), 4-5 sessions are usually required, which should be done every 30 days, depending on each case. But when it is done purely for reasons of rejuvenation and antiaging, no specific number of sessions is required. It can be repeated whenever we want for a good renewal and stimulation of the skin.
The duration of each treatment is 15-20 minutes

Chemical peeling is the application of one or more chemical exfoliating agents to the skin with the aim of either treating some skin diseases or improving the aesthetics of the skin. The result is the removal of the outer layers of the epidermis or the dermis, resulting in the regeneration of the skin, and in the long term, after repeated sessions, the fibroblasts of the skin are activated for the production of collagen-elastin, increasing the thickness of the skin and improving its texture skin which significantly contribute to antiaging

They are used in conditions such as solar elastosis, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, actinic hyperkeratosis as well as for the improvement of superficial scars. But apart from skin diseases, peelings are also used for aesthetic anti-aging reasons, as with peelings the quality of the skin is significantly improved and the fine wrinkles of the face are smoothed, achieving long-lasting aesthetic benefits.

Superficially Peelings:
They help improve the appearance of skin texture in problems such as fine lines-wrinkles, mild acne scars, "age spots" (brown spots, perhaps from sun exposure) as well as helping to balance pigmentation inhomogeneity of the face.

They are the most common types of peeling and contain some type of hydroxy acid, with exfoliating properties. Different types of hydroxy acids are available in this market. These include alpha hydroxy acids such as natural lactic acid and tartaric acid. Salicylic acid, is a beta hydroxy acid, and is unique among hydroxy acids in that it can penetrate deeper into the sebaceous glands and cause exfoliation even in the oily areas of the face. For this reason, it has been used for years by dermatologists to treat acne in people with very oily skin.
Glycolic Acid: in various concentrations (10%-90%) and different pH levels (acidity levels).
Sometimes combinations of different hydroxy acids are used.
Reduced intensity TCApeeling (Trichloroacetic acid) can also be used to induce superficial exfoliation.

Medium Peelings:
They reduce fine lines, acne scars, and some pigmentation problems. These include the use of stronger peels. The most common of these is TCA which is usually used in a concentration of 25-35% to avoid possible side effects.
Deep Peelings:
They reduce the appearance of deeper lines, wrinkles and scars. These are generally applied using phenol or TCA 40%. While more penetrating peels can be very effective for some, we don't prefer them because they cause a lot of irritation leading to a long recovery time and there are potential complications associated with the procedure.

In which cases can peels not help?

You should know that chemical peels do not change skin pores, do not treat "bags", do not restore sagging and sagging skin (not related to various lifting applications) and do not treat deep acne or chicken pox scars . They also do not treat facial varicose veins (redness from dilated blood vessels)

How to choose the type of chemical peeling where will it be applied?

The Dermatologist will choose the appropriate solution to be applied depending on the patient's problem, skin type and individual history. There are special peelings that we use on oily skin with active acne, other peelings that we use on skin with discolouration-stains. Also, very thin-dry and aged-atrophic skins need a lot of attention in choosing the right peeling that does not cause great irritation after application.

THE EVOLUTION OF PEELS ARE THE COMBINATION APPLICATIONS:

1) Cleaning the face with an ultrasonic spatula: With this treatment we help the skin to eliminate the excess sebum that is retained. The treatment concerns oily skin with a tendency to acne or patients with active acne. The treatment is painless and suitable even for sensitive skin.

2) Peeling with microcrystals: A system that shoots microcrystals into the outer layers of the skin (epidermis) and epidermal exfoliation is achieved. Exfoliation with microcrystals removes dead skin cells and helps healthy cells come to the surface, improving the appearance and quality of the skin. Ideal for antiaging treatment and whitening treatments.

3) Light chemical peels: indicated for reducing the appearance of fine lines and open, large pores of oily skin, while at the same time lightening the color of freckles, brown spots. They also help to treat acne scars while renewing the skin.

4) The moisturizing mask: which completes the treatment, offers a deep hydration and guarantees that in the following days there will be no great irritation (you go to work comfortably), but only a mild and controlled peeling

Depending on the case, the dermatologist can also suggest a dermatological maintenance treatment for the intervals between the therapeutic sessions-applications to enhance the good result.