General information about chemical peeling.
It was noticed long ago that surface damage of skin stimulates its active regeneration that leads to rejection of nonviable cells and their replacement with new ones. This phenomenon was known already in ancient Egypt and is still widely used for skin rejuvenation. Directed and controlled process of removal of certain number of epidermis and derma layers together with existing defects and initiation of restoration of all destroyed layers was called “dermabrasion” or “peeling”. Peeling is performed by various methods: with the help of ultrasound, lasers, ferments, acids, etc. Using of acids is the essence of chemical peeling. Unlike the other methods, chemical peeling is the simplest and does not require expensive equipment.
Possibilities of chemical peeling are not limited to esthetic effect. The method is used to treat such diseases and skin conditions as acne, dyschromia, chronodegradation and photodegradation of skin, lentiginosis skin rash, seborrheic and actinic keratoma, small wrinkles, surface scars, rough skin microrelief, enlarged pores, freckles, chloasmas, ichthyosis, xerodermia, and for additional treatment of benign neoplasms.
Masses on skin that can be treated with chemical peeling can be categorized according to their histology and depth as follows:
▪ Epidermal skin rash (freckles, chloasma, keratotic neoplasms).
▪ Skin rash that is localized in epidermis and papillary layer of derma (epidermal-dermal and dermal chloasma, hyperpigmentation, numerous small surface wrinkles and scars).
▪ Skin defects, mainly furrows and scars that reach reticular layer of derma.
Depending on the level of penetration and effect of acids chemical peeling is classified into surface, medium and deep.
Surface chemical peeling leads to exfoliation of epidermal surface layers or the whole epidermis down to papillary layer of derma.
Medium chemical peeling leads to planned chemical burn and further exfoliation of epidermis and derma down to upper part of reticular layer.
Deep chemical peeling is performed with mixtures that contain phenol and in some cases crotonic oil; this leads to maximal destruction down to middle of reticular layer of derma. Phenol peeling is used to eliminate inverted and atrophic scars and to smooth out furrows. Skin surface becomes tightly stretched i.e. facelift effect is observed that can remain for 5-8 years. |
