A phenol chemical peel is the most drastic of peels. The treatment is usually used for deep wrinkles and acne scars, or for pigmentation changes. The treatment is not suitable for people with a dark complexion.
About phenol Chemical Peel against Wrinkles and Acne Scars
Phenol is a very powerful form of acid, which is often used for peels against medium deep and deep wrinkles, acne scars, initial stages of cancer, as well as pigmentation changes.
The phenol peel is almost only performed in the face.
Phenol has a tendency to remove the skin's ability to form pigmentation completely. For this reason, the treatment is not suited for people of a dark complexion, and after the surgery, it is often necessary for the patient to protect the treated area against strong sunlight permanently.
Usually, a single peel with phenol is enough to achieve the desired result.
Generally on chemical Peel (Cauterisation of the Skin)
The purpose of a peel is to remove old and wrinkly, pigmented, or sun damaged skin and to stimulate the production of new and fresh skin cells.
A peel can reduce the fine lines underneath the eyes and around the mouth, wrinkles caused by sun damage, sign of ageing, and hereditary factors, as well as liver spots, freckles, and pigmentation changes. A peel is also able to improve the appearance of shallow scars, and can treat some forms of acne (pimples).
There are various acids available for chemical peel - some more powerful than others.
The stronger and more concentrated the acid is, the greater the effect. Unfortunately, a stronger acid also increases the risk of complications.
The different acids used are:
- AHA (Fruit, milk, or glycolic acid)
- TCA (Tri-chloroacetic acid)
- Phenol
AHA is normally used for a shallow peels, which only affects the top layer of skin. With a mild peel like this.
TCA is mostly used for shallow or medium deep peels, and is the most commonly used acid for chemical peel.
Phenol is the strongest of the three, and is used for medium deep and deep wrinkles, as well as for pigmentation changes.
Suitability
Phenol acid is known to cause interruptions in the heart rhythm during the treatment. Due to this, patients with heart, liver, or kidney diseases are not suited for the treatment.
Phenol acid is also known for removing pigmentation very effectively. This is why phenol peels are not used on people with a dark complexion.
Persons over 18 with unwanted skin conditions such as wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation changes, or similar, can benefit from this treatment.
Persons with a tendency to form of keloid (excess scar tissue) or other forms of irregular scar formation are not suited candidates.
The procedure
A phenol peel can take up to an hour or longer, depending on the size of the treated area.
Usually, the patient will be asked to apply special medicaments on the skin for a period of time before the treatment. These medicaments contain active agents, which help prepare the skin for the peel, and which will improve its ability to form new skin cells afterwards.
The patient will often receive some antibiotics, which are to be taken before the treatment. This will reduce the risk of infection after the peel.
Before the treatment, the treatment provider will cleanse the skin thoroughly.
Then, one or more acid solutions are applied to small areas of the skin. This create a controlled abrasion and give the skin the opportunity to form new and smoother skin in the area.Anaesthesia
Usually, no sedation is used during a chemical peel. With a deep peel, some painkillers might be given.
Side-effects
Depending on the depth of the peel, the patient will feel it as anything from a light warmth to a stinging pain.
Risk of complications
Phenol acid can effect the heart rhythm, and a phenol peel can therefore be dangerous for patients with heart, liver, or kidney diseases.
There is a risk of temporary or permanent discolouration of the skin in the treated area. Some will have a greater hereditary tendency to develop this than others.
The risk of pigmentation changes increases when taking contraceptive pills, or in case of pregnancy, after the treatment.
Healing and recovery
A phenol peel can cause some very pronounced swellings, although these will disappear within a couple of days.
After a week or so, new skin will start to form in the treated area. In the beginning, the skin will be red, and it will slowly shift to a pinker shade, which then will fade with time.
It can take a long time for the skin to recover after a phenol peel. Complete healing can take several months, depending of the extent of the treatment.
Normal activities, such as work, can be resumed 2 weeks or so, after the treatment with the use of concealing make-up.
The new skin on the treated area will be very sensitive to sunlight. This should therefore be avoided as much as possible, and the patient should use a sunscreen with a high protective factor for several months after the surgery.
Duration of the result
A phenol peel is the most intrusive form of chemical peel, and the result is significant.
Most unwanted skin conditions will be strongly reduced after a phenol peel.
In principle, the result is permanent, but of course the skin will continue to age, bringing about the skin changes due to ageing.