Definition and objectives

Peeling is used to remove brown patches, crow’s-feet and acne by eliminating dead epidermal cells. The neck, decolletage and hands can also benefit from this treatment.

The choice of peeling depends on the degree of skin changes, very little or very marked, fine skin or coarse skin, pigmented or light skin and the possibility of the patient not appearing in public for a while.

Depending on the desired result, the practitioner has a choice of 4 types of peeling: superficial, medium, deep or depigmenting.

Superficial peeling

This treatment makes it possible to:

- even out and brighten the complexion,

- smooth and firm the skin,

- tighten pores to obtain a finer skin texture,

- reduce acne through regulation of sebaceous glands,

- improve crow’s-feet,

- reduce skin ageing caused by the sun.

Fruit acids are effective in this type of treatment (the most frequently used acid is glycolic acid).

Medium peeling: weak trichloracectic acid (15% or 18%) is used to improve very coarse, rough skin caused by exposure to the sun and to correct wrinkles. COSMOPEEL cream is effective for this skin type.

Deep peeling: is used to correct skin that is very damaged by the sun with deep wrinkles. This treatment is used on the face or locally on the eyelids and area around the mouth.

EXOPEEL cream is effective for this skin type.

Depigmenting peeling: used to improve the problem of patches of hormonal origin (melasma, chloasma) or following inflammation. Brown patches are deep and occur on particularly reactive skin. This treatment is part of a depigmenting procedure that takes place before and during a peeling session.

SPOTPEEL cream is effective for this skin type.

Prior to the procedure

Facial rejuvenation treatment specific to each person will be offered based on:

Skin analysis in terms of:

- skin type and quality,

- degree of skin alteration caused by the sun,

- cutaneous elasticity,

- pigment and vascular lesions,

- toxic status (refer to exposure to smoking/UV/pollution and lifestyle),

- dermatological check-up to screen for precancerous or skin cancer conditions.

Other parts of the body (hands, decolletage…) are also examined.

A combination of techniques:

- IPL, mesotherapy, radiofrequency, peeling and LED.

Repair principles:

- re-establishment of the dermis’ physiological function,

- reduction in free radicals (which cause cell damage and lesions),

- absence of side effects.

Desired result

This overall treatment plan leads to a harmonious and long-lasting result.

If the patient has a history of herpes, anti-herpes treatment will be given. Peeling is contraindicated in the case of a skin infection (staphylococcus…).

The patient receives adapted treatment to prepare the skin prior to the session.

The procedure

Superficial peeling: the acid product applied to the skin causes mild stinging.

Medium and deep peeling: there is a sensation of heat on application which disappears after 5 minutes.

Depigmenting peeling: the treatment takes a long time and mist be very gentle in order not to reactivate the cells which cause skin pigmentation. The session is painless.

After-effects

Superficial peeling: the after-effects are straightforward, at the very most slight skin dryness may be felt temporarily. There is no need to exclude oneself socially and exposure to the sun is not contraindicated.

Medium peeling: there are very few after-effects. After peeling, a sensation of sunburn lasts for 1 hour and skin becomes darker. Skin undergoes a desquamation phase and the patient’s skin feels papery for 4 to 5 days.

Deep peeling: skin looks pink for 1 to 2 months. After the session, skin must not be exposed to the sun or scratched and scabs must not be picked. The patient will not be able to appear in public for 15 days.

Depigmenting peeling: the after-effects are mild and there is no need to exclude oneself socially. Skin must not be exposed to the sun or scratched and scabs must not be picked.

Result

Medium peeling: there is a rapid improvement in skin tone and thickness. This treatment is highly effective for the decolletage.

Deep peeling: wrinkles and brown patches disappear very successfully and facial skin is firmed.

Depigmenting peeling: brown patches disappear in a spectacular manner.

Imperfections in the result and possible complications

Deep peeling and depigmenting peeling carry the risk of pigmentation and require a treatment protocol and rigorous patient management.