Skin Peeling and Skin Rejuvenation

Skin peeling can be performed in three ways: mechanical, chemical and physical. Dermabrasion: The skin surface is sanded with the help of a motor and a rotating tip. In this way, fine wrinkles, pits and irregularities are corrected. Spots on the skin surface and crusting such as keratoses also improve. Dermabrasion is particularly useful for removing acne scars on the face, reducing scars and reducing the vertical wrinkles around the lips. Chemical peeling: The skin surface is burned with the help of mild and medium-strength acids. The newly formed skin provides refreshment and rejuvenation of the face. Glycolic acid (fruit acids), phenol and TCA are the acids used in chemical peeling. It is especially effective in removing wrinkles around the eyes and reducing facial spots. Lasers: The use of lasers for facial peeling was a method about to be abandoned because of the problems experienced. However, with newly developed fractional laser systems, this procedure has begun to be used again. While laser treatment reduces fine wrinkles and spots on the face, it also provides a general tightening of the face by tightening the collagen beneath the skin. With advancing technology, side effects have decreased and the risk of complications has been reduced to almost zero. In addition, compared with other methods, control is much more in the surgeon's hands.

Chemical peels performed with glycolic acids and diluted TCA, and laser treatments, are performed in a clinic setting without the need for anaesthesia. Chemical peels performed with concentrated TCA and phenol, and dermabrasion, are performed in an operating theatre under general anaesthesia or sedatives.

As with all surgical interventions, in skin-peeling procedures aspirin and smoking must be stopped 3 weeks before the procedure. In the last 1 week, it is necessary to stay away from drugs and similar substances that may thin the blood.

Especially in patients using Roaccutane for the treatment of acne, facial peeling should not be performed for one year.

Chemical peels performed with mild acids and laser treatments are performed in a clinic setting after numbing creams are applied to the skin. Chemical peels performed with stronger acids and dermabrasion procedures require general anaesthesia or deep sedation and are performed in an operating theatre.

Skin-peeling procedures take about 20-30 minutes.

With peels performed with mild acids and with laser treatments there may be some burning, but severe pain is not expected. Deep peels and dermabrasion, on the other hand, are painful. Pain and a burning sensation may continue for a few days after the operation.

If the peel is performed too deeply, healing difficulties and scars may occur. Such problems may be observed especially after dermabrasion. Dermabrasion performed deeply may heal with permanent scars. After laser treatments, loss of pigment and paleness that does not improve may occur in the skin. After chemical peels, on the contrary, darkening of the skin colour may be observed. If the skin is not well protected from the sun after peeling, spots may develop.