Peeling applications

Undesirable effects from superficial peelings can be hyperpigmentation after exposure to solar radiation, so a 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.)
In medium peelings or deep peelings, the instructions after the treatment are more and the patient should pay attention to more things and has some restrictions.

• 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 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
What should I expect immediately after applying the peels? The next days? Recovery time;

· Mechanical peels with microcrystals cause a mild irritation after application, which is treated with a moisturizing-regenerating cream that can be used during the following days. Micro-crystal peels have virtually no recovery time, and offer an immediate return to work and activities

· In chemical peels, the development after application and recovery times depend on the depth of the peel.

i. Superficial peels usually experience mild redness and possibly mild 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 provides deep hydration and fights the burning sensation caused by peeling.

Peels can also be combined with other deep antiaging applications (Botox, hyaluronic implants to fill wrinkles) which offer impressive results. Botulinum toxin prevents the formation of expression lines 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.

Peeling 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 which 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

Mechanical peeling is also known as peeling with microcrystals 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.

Superficial 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 TCA peeling (Trichloroacetic acid) can also be used to induce superficial peeling.

Medium Peels:
They reduce fine lines, acne scars, and some pigmentation problems. These include using 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.

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 varicose veins of the face (redness from dilated blood vessels).

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.

This combination application is the latest in the field of peels. The micro-trauma created by microneedling creates "ports of entry" for the chemical peel which achieves a much better penetration into the skin. So we can use milder peels which are completely safe, have very controlled exfoliation and very little skin irritation after application, can be done even in the summer months and have no recovery-recovery time, which with this combined application penetrate deeper and they have a much better effect similar to that of very strong chemical peelings