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Chemical Peels in Manchester, UK

Chemical Peels

one of the best rejuvenating skin treatments

At the Manchester Cosmetic Centre, Dr. Abel Mounir, plastic surgeon, carefully assesses each patient’s condition to choose the most effective treatment to meet the patient’s expectations. All skin treatments are performed by Dr. Mounir who has extensive experience and training in skin treatment. We offer chemical peels in Manchester as one of the best rejuvenating skin treatments. The objective is to get rid of the superficial layers of the skin by initiating an exfoliation process.

This will lead to the proliferation of newer skin to replace and remove the superficial skin. Depending on the ability of the chemical peel to penetrate the deep layers of the skin, the chemical peeling products are classified into three different groups. There are superficial, medium, and deep peels. All of these chemical peels have proven to be efficient in producing a youthful look of the face and the neck area, but their indications and applications will depend on the patient’s unique situation.

Superficial Peels

What are AHA and BHA peels?

AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid, whereas BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid. AHAs and BHAs are two different types of hydroxy acids.

Both types of acid are sold in a variety of toners, moisturizers, scrubs, and masks. Both Alpha and Beta acids are highly effective for deep exfoliation. The truth is that neither type of hydroxy acid is “better” than the other, and the differences lie in how you use them. Both forms of hydroxy acid:

  • Reduce inflammation associated with skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.
  • Reduce large pores and wrinkles.
  • Improve skin tone.
  • Improve skin texture.
  • Reduce superficial dead skin cells.
Manchester Chemical Peel model with dark hair

AHA

Origin

AHAs are water-soluble acids derived from sugary fruits that can make your skin sensitive to the sun.

Target AHAs effectively target age spots, melasma, and scars by peeling away the surface of your skin so that new skin cells can be produced.
Glycolic acid Glycolic acid is made from sugar cane. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it may also help prevent acne breakouts. It is commonly used in cosmetic anti-aging formulations, moisturizers, and peels.
Lactic Lactic acid is made from lactose in milk and is known for its significant exfoliation and anti-aging effects.
Tartaric Tartaric acid is made from grape extracts and may help improve signs of sun damage and acne.
Citric This citric acid is made from citrus fruit extracts and is primarily used to neutralize the skin’s pH levels even out rough patches.
Malic Malic acid is a type of AHA-BHA crossover. It’s made from apple acids.
Mandelic Mandelic acid contains larger molecules derived from almond extracts. It can be combined with other AHAs to increase exfoliation.

BHA

Origin

BHAs are designed for safe daily use and don’t make your skin as sensitive to the sun.

Target BHAs are primarily used for acne and sun damage.
Salicylic acid Salicylic acid is the most used BHA. Concentrations range between 0.5 and 5%, depending on the product. It’s also known as an acne treatment.
Citric acid This type of citric acid is most commonly used to dry out excess sebum and clean out dead skin cells deep within your pores.

How Do I Choose Between AHA And BHA Peels?

AHAs are primarily used for age spots, melasma, enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and scars (including acne scars). BHAs, on the other hand, are primarily used for treating acne and sun damage, penetrating deep into your hair follicles to clear your pores of excess oils and dead skin cells. BHAs are most suitable for combination to oily skin.

Medium Peels

Medium-depth peels, such as Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), alter the membrane proteins and consequently destroy the cells of the epidermis. How aggressive the peel and its effect on the skin will depend on the concentration of the TCA. The higher the concentration of the chemical peel, the more significant the rejuvenating effect.

Manchester chemical peel model wearing white

What is the Obagi Blue Peel?

Obagi Blue is a solution used to control the depth of the penetration of the peel. Dr. Abel Mounir will mix Obagi Blue with the TCA peel and assess the skin’s reaction and the depth of the application.

The Obagi Bleu peel can be used on all skin types and effectively rejuvenates the skin on the neck, chest, and hands. The treatment lasts about 2 hours, depending on your skin’s unique needs. At the Manchester Cosmetic Centre, you will receive a full assessment prior to any treatment. During your consultation for a chemical peel Manchester plastic surgeon, Dr. Mounir will make sure that you understand the risks as well as the limits of the procedure.

Am I A Good Candidate For An Obagi Blue Peel?

Dr. Mounir will design your treatment

You are a good candidate for the Obagi Blue peel if you are presenting some acne scars, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and/or some aging signs due to sun damage. During your initial consultation, Dr. Mounir, Manchester plastic surgeon, will examine and assess your skin and listen to your desires and expectations.

He will explain possible risks and complications and plan your chemical peel skin treatment. Usually, if the Obagi Blue Peel® is the treatment of choice for you, Dr. Mounir will prescribe a range of facial products to prepare your skin for treatment. Most importantly, Dr. Mounir will design your treatment according to your goals, preferences, and the condition of your skin.

How Do I Prepare For My Chemical Peel?

At the Manchester Cosmetic Centre, we believe strongly that medium and deep chemical peels can be very successful if the skin is adequately prepared. It is also paramount that you are medically, mentally, and physically prepared for the treatment. Prior to the treatment, Dr. Mounir prescribes the following six-week preparatory protocol for all Obagi Blue peel patients:

  • Topical tretinoin (0.05%–0.1%).
  • Hydroquinone (2%–4%).
  • Sunscreen with SPF greater than 30.
  • Alpha hydroxy acid (4%–10%).

The objective of the pre-treatment is to improve skin penetration and tolerance, regulate fibroblast and melanocyte function, improve dermal circulation, and allow a quick recovery.

What Happens After The Obagi Blue Peel?

At the Manchester Cosmetic Centre, you will be given detailed verbal and written instructions to ensure that you understand your aftercare.

After a chemical peel Manchester patients will also be prescribed aftercare products to protect your skin during the healing process. You will be seen by Dr. Mounir for checkups after your peeling to assess your recovery, the effect of the peel, and to have a face-to-face consultation for further clinical instructions.

Chemical Peels
Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Mounir will decide the adequate strength of the chemical peel to use. Your skin type and concerns are the most important parameters Dr. Mounir will consider before selecting the correct type of chemical peel for you. Therefore, it is important to book a consultation to be seen by an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist to discuss the potential risks and complications associated with TCA peel. Milder chemical peels such as lactic acid and glycolic acid peels can be safely performed by trained aesthetic practitioners, but TCA peels such as the Obagi Blue peel need to be performed by an experienced medical practitioner. The Obagi Bleu peel can penetrate to different skin depths from superficial to deep, depending on a patient’s goals for treatment. It effectively treats acne scarring and improves the quality of the skin.

Superficial or light chemical peels are the mildest of the three types of chemical peels. They are ideal for treating mild sun damage, not deep acne scarring and signs of aging. Superficial peels are designed to remove the superficial layer of skin all the way to the deeper part of the epidermis, depending on the type of peel used. They do not penetrate to the level of the dermis.

Yes, usually, the AHA and BHA Superficial peels are performed by our aesthetic nurse practitioner. They are usually used on the face and neck area at regular intervals of four to six weeks to provide quick treatment effects. If you are a very busy person and have don’t have time for a long recovery process, then a glycolic or lactic acid could be ideal for you. These chemical peels are suitable for patients wishing to get rid of dead surface skin cells and prompt the body to regenerate new skin cells without the typical side effects associated with stronger peels such as flaking, redness, frosting, and a degree of discomfort lasting several days.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel is designed to treat early aging signs such as facial lines and wrinkles. TCA can be used at different concentrations. TCA can be used at a 30% concentration to achieve a medium-depth peel into the upper part of the dermis. However, skin preparation can improve the penetration of the chemical peel considerably. The depth of the peel can be assessed clinically based on the color of the frosting. TCA peels often lead to a white or pinkish frosting that heals in about five to seven days. Deeper peels lead to a more opaque white frosting that takes longer to settle. To avoid deep scarring, Jessner’s solution is often applied before the TCA peel to allow deeper penetration of the TCA with lower concentrations.

Usually, for a safe TCA peeling, these are the steps:

  • Application of superficial peel such as a glycolic acid peel.
  • Pre-treatment protocol, including 4% hydroxyquinone, tretinoin, sunscreen, and antioxidants.
  • Application of Jessner’s solution immediately before application of TCA peel.

The most used deep chemical peel is the phenol peel. Deep peels contain high TCA concentrations of 60% and above. Earlier phenol peels were based on the Baker-Gordon formula, but these have been replaced by phenol mixed in with croton oil.

After the application of any chemical peel, regardless of whether it is medium or deep peel, there is always a chemical reaction that occurs. The intensity of this reaction is assessed by the appearance of a white, frost-like substance on the skin. Frosting is the direct result of the suppression of the melanocytes in the skin. The more significant the frosting, the higher the risk of a skin burn or hyperpigmentation after the peel. Patients with darker skin types have a higher risk of hyperpigmentation depending on the strength of the peel used.

Following your chemical peel treatment, you will need to apply topical tretinoin cream every day for four weeks to promote the skin peeling process and the growth of new, fresh skin cells. Tretinoin will also help the peel to penetrate deeper for an enhanced clinical effect.

The total fees of your chemical peel procedure will depend on:

  • Type of chemical peel – superficial or medium
  • Combination treatments with facial injections

At the end of the treatment, a mupirocin ointment is applied to the treated areas. You will be asked to keep the treated area moisturized, as this will have an impact on skin sloughing. Usually, you will need one week for your skin to slough and renew itself. However, dermal regeneration will take five to six weeks. You can wash your face every day without scrubbing for the first four days. Cold compresses can be used to reduce any discomfort. Prophylactic antibiotics are used for three days.

Generally speaking, chemical peels are safe when performed by a plastic surgeon. At Manchester Cosmetic Centre, all efforts are made to reduce the risks by pre-treatment preparation and careful patient selection. Patients with an active skin infection, inflammatory conditions, or taking any drugs with photosensitive side effects are not suitable for chemical peels. The potential risks of superficial peels include:

  • Excessive burning
  • Persistent redness
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
  • Persistent itchiness
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
  • Infection
  • Facial scarring
  • Persistent redness
  • Herpes virus reactivation
  • Post-procedure milia
  • Acne breakouts

Your uniqueness is beautiful. At Manchester Cosmetic Centre, our goal is to complement and highlight your unique beauty so that you can realize your ideal you.

If you would like to take the first step toward a truly exceptional experience and stunning results, please schedule your consultation with Dr. Abel Mounir today. We offer consultations in Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham.

61 King St, Manchester M2 4PD

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