Light Skin Peels

If bleaching creams aren't sufficient, light skin peeling is commonly used in the treatment of blotchy pigmentation. These peels are also used to treat acne, dry skin and fine wrinkling.

Bleaching creams

Bleaching creams work to even out skin complexion by subtly inhibiting the production of melanin over an entire area. Melanin is the body's natural chemical that gives skin its colour. Many bleaching creams also exfoliate pigmented cells on the outer skin layers. In this way they act as an extremely mild peel, further contributing to a more even complexion. The better bleaching creams will also have an in-built sunscreen. The regular use of sunscreens is of key importance; exposure to sunlight is a major cause of melanin synthesis, which in turn, serves to aggravate an uneven complexion.

Light peels

Skin Peels are useful for improving the condition of the skin generally, and for producing a healthy, more youthful complexion.

There are a number of light skin peels available in the clinic that may be applicable to your skin type. A single peel or a series of peels may be used, depending on your skin condition.

PCA Peels. These contain several agents including AHAs, non-AHA compounds and bleaching agents such as kojic acid or hydroquinone, and are particularly useful to those for whom pigmentation changes is their main problem. Coats of peeling agent are painted onto the skin and washed off at variable times. Some slight flakiness or peeling may occur for several days following the peel, but this does not always happen and does not mean that the peel has not worked.

Rap Peels. These contain tretinoin or retinoic acid, which has been found useful in the treatment of sun damaged, photo-aged skin and acne prone skin. The peels tend to even out skin colour, increase the skin thickness and reduce the number of sunspots and facial blemishes over time. They have been shown to stimulate new collagen formation and new blood vessel production.

The skin will start to peel approximately 2 days after the peel is applied. The peeling may be quite significant or slight with some flakiness possibly occurring for several days following the peel.

TCA Peels. TCA peels of less than 25% are occasionally used for troublesome colour abnormalities where PCA or AHA peels have been unsuccessful.

Lightening Peel. The lightening peel is designed to treat epidermal hyperpigmentation such as melasma. It is performed in the clinic every 3-4 weeks. It combines the tyrosinase-inhibiting effects of phytoquinone with the keratolytic properties of alpha and beta hydroxy acids.

Clarifying Peel. The clarifying peel is designed to treat acne and is performed in the clinic every 3-4 weeks. It contains a combination of antibiotics, keratolytics and anti-inflammatories.

MicroPeel. The MicroPeel is designed for weekly home use by patients. It can also be used in the clinic as a mild, gentle peel for patients who have very sensitive skin and who may be concerned about chemical peeling.

The procedure

The peeling agent is painted onto the skin in layers, and washed off at variable times. It is common to feel a mild stinging sensation for a few minutes following application. No make-up should be worn for the rest of the day. Some slight flakiness may occur for several days following the peel but this does not always happen and does not mean that the peel has not 'worked'.

To ensure that the correct peeling system is being used on your particular skin type, we encourage all patients who are considering undergoing this procedure to first complete a complimentary SCRIPT skin type test.