Skin peels were first categorized into light (or superficial), medium and deep by German dermatologist P.G. Unna over a century ago. They are designed to create a controlled injury on the skin. The destruction of outer skin layers will generate re-growth of new skin cells, resulting in a more uniform and improved appearance of the skin. A deeper wound will generate a more significant result but this carries increased risk. The strongest chemical peels can create an abnormal epidermis. It appears shiny, pale in colour and abnormally translucent. The risk of complications such as hypertrophic scarring, loss of pigmentation, demarcation lines and persistent redness have rendered deep skin peels less popular.
Laser resurfacing is a relatively new modality offered by physicians. Whilst results can be quite spectacular it has been pointed out that ablative laser treatments will often destroy the skin’s pilo-sebaceous units.
Normal epidermal re-growth will not occur; the new skin will be scar tissue.
The latest development designed to overcome this issue is the Fraxel Laser. Wounding of the skin is reduced to tiny spots, lessening the chance of complications.
Light and medium chemical peels are the preferred options for professional aestheticians. A multitude of different peeling agents is available, under different brand names. As with deep peels, the result of these peeling agents relates to the depth of the wound created in the skin. Many factors will impact on the treatment: how the skin is prepared, the concentration and pH of the peeling agent, the way it is applied, after care and last but not least, selection of client. Even prior use of home care containing AHAs, a micro-dermabrasion treatment or just inadvertently scratching the skin may cause a deeper wound than intended. A level of unpredictability is therefore inherent in these treatments. With darker skin types, skin pigmentation is an ever present danger.
In the final analysis all these modalities create an injury. They rely on the body’s regenerative powers to improve the appearance of the skin. Herbal peeling works from the opposite end of the spectrum. The skin naturally renews itself every 28 to 35 days. We know that a herbal peel can significantly shorten this natural renewal process. |