Skin Resurfacing

Most of my patients only require the occasional light chemical peel to refresh their skin and keep it In top condition. Usually once a month is sufficient. As a Dermatologist, I create my own Prescription Power Peels to deliver customised, highly targeted results to my patients. These are performed in my office according to each patients needs. Ive also created a home-use, weekly Concentrated MicroPeel to gently exfoliate the skins outermost layers which have been damaged by the sun or acne. The result is a brighter, clearer, more finely textured skin surface.		Chemical Peels At Darlinghurst Dermatology Skin & Laser Clinic we use a variety of skin peel formulations that aim to rejuvenate the skin as well as treat acne and sun damage. Skin ageing is due to genetic factors as well as environmental factors including sun exposure and smoking. These result in uneven or blotchy appearance to the skin due to age spots, uneven pigmentation, broken capillaries, fine lines and deep wrinkles. Skin is a dynamic organ. Every day cells divide in the deep layer of the skin and migrate to the superficial layer called the epidermis. As new cells grow, old cells slough off from the epidermis. Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to the face which causes an accelerated form of exfoliation of these dead cells. Chemical peels work by removing different layers of the skin allowing damaged cells to be removed and replaced by fresher new skin during healing. There are many different peels available. Facial peels are divided into superficial, medium and deep. Very superficial peels, such as the ones performed by beauticians, only remove the top layer of dead skin cells and thus usually only have a short period of minor cosmetic benefit. Stronger superficial peels and medium to deep peels performed by doctors, usually result in a noticeable improvement in textural irregularities, uneven pigment such as 'age spots' and freckling, deeper wrinkles, some types of acne scaring and precancerous skin lesions. The deeper the peel the greater and more long-lasting the benefits are especially for deeper wrinkles, however the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery time. At the initial consult, after a comprehensive assessment, we will choose the right peel that suits your skin and is tailored for your schedule. At Darlinghurst Dermatology Skin & Laser Clinic we use a variety of peeling solutions to treat your skin. We use one of the latest technologies in skin peeling from Italy, The Enerpeels. This new generation of peels allow treatments to be individually tailored to skin type and age rather than the one type fits all acid peels previously offered. What happens during Chemical Peel treatment? Pre Treatment Sometimes Retin A - a prescription medication derived from Vitamin A - is used to pre-treat the skin. This thins out the skin's surface layer, allowing the acid solution to penetrate more deeply and evenly. If your skin won't tolerate Retin-A pre-treatment, an AHA cream may be used instead. Hydroquinone, a bleaching agent, is sometimes used in conjunction with Retin-A or AHA pre-treatment, especially if you have blotchy skin areas or pigmentation problems. During Treatment Your doctor or therapist will apply the solution to your cleansed facial skin, a process that usually takes no more than 10 minutes. The solution is applied using a sponge or a cotton pad. You may feel a stinging sensation as the peel solution is applied, but this feeling will quickly pass. Ice packs are applied to minimize discomfort. With certain types of chemical peels, the solution may be "neutralized" after an appropriate amount of time has elapsed. A full-face peel usually takes no more than 15 minutes. Depending on the strength of the peel, periodic treatments may be necessary until the desired effects are achieved. Post Treatment After a superficial peel, it is common to experience some temporary flaking or scaling, redness and dryness of the skin. However, these conditions will disappear as the skin adjusts to treatment. There is no downtime and you can resume your normal activities immediately. It is also possible to have a lunch time peel with superficial peels, the temporary redness, flaking and dryness that you experience will not prevent you from working or engaging in your normal activities. However, protecting your skin from the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Ask your doctor to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it every day. After a medium-depth peel, you may feel a tingling or throbbing sensation. The mild discomfort you may experience will subside within the first week. More flaking and scaling is seen on the treated area than a superficial peel and this may last for 4 - 7 days, depending on the strength of the peel used. In about a week to ten days, your new skin will be apparent. It is best to avoid sun exposure unless you are adequately protected. During this time, it is especially important that you use a sunblock or blotchy, irregular skin coloring may result. Superficial peels involve the application of certain mild fruit acids like AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids - the most common ones being Glycolic, Lactic and Citric acids), B.H.A. (Beta Hydroxy Acids - such as Salicylic acid) and combinations of the above (such as the modified Jessner solution) to the skin to rid the upper layers of accumulated dead skin cells and kill the bacteria in the pores that cause acne. Uses: Smoothes rough, dry skin Improves texture of sun-damaged skin Reduce pore size Aids in control of acne Can be mixed with bleaching agent to correct pigment problems A series of 3-4 peels over 3-4 months may be necessary to achieve the desired results. These types of peels can improve the skin texture and provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who can't spare the time to recover from a TCA peel. Medium-depth peels involve the application Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), used in different concentrations. The results of TCA peel are usually more dramatic than those of a superficial peel. Uses: Smoothes out fine surface wrinkles Removes superficial blemishes Corrects pigment problems Improve acne scars. Removes sunspots. TCA peels in higher concentrations may result in aggressive exfoliation which restricts a person's activity for about 5-7 days and ideally can been performed over the weekend ("weekend peel") Nevertheless, your skin will eventually be awakened, looking smooth and even.

Most of my patients only require the occasional light chemical peel to refresh their skin and keep it In top condition. Usually once a month is sufficient.

As a Dermatologist, I create my own Prescription Power Peels to deliver customised, highly targeted results to my patients. These are performed in my office according to each patients needs.

Ive also created a home-use, weekly Concentrated MicroPeel to gently exfoliate the skins outermost layers which have been damaged by the sun or acne.

The result is a brighter, clearer, more finely textured skin surface.

Chemical Peels

At Darlinghurst Dermatology Skin & Laser Clinic we use a variety of skin peel formulations that aim to rejuvenate the skin as well as treat acne and sun damage.

Skin ageing is due to genetic factors as well as environmental factors including sun exposure and smoking. These result in uneven or blotchy appearance to the skin due to age spots, uneven pigmentation, broken capillaries, fine lines and deep wrinkles.

Skin is a dynamic organ. Every day cells divide in the deep layer of the skin and migrate to the superficial layer called the epidermis. As new cells grow, old cells slough off from the epidermis. Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to the face which causes an accelerated form of exfoliation of these dead cells. Chemical peels work by removing different layers of the skin allowing damaged cells to be removed and replaced by fresher new skin during healing.

There are many different peels available. Facial peels are divided into superficial, medium and deep. Very superficial peels, such as the ones performed by beauticians, only remove the top layer of dead skin cells and thus usually only have a short period of minor cosmetic benefit.

Stronger superficial peels and medium to deep peels performed by doctors, usually result in a noticeable improvement in textural irregularities, uneven pigment such as 'age spots' and freckling, deeper wrinkles, some types of acne scaring and precancerous skin lesions.

The deeper the peel the greater and more long-lasting the benefits are especially for deeper wrinkles, however the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery time. At the initial consult, after a comprehensive assessment, we will choose the right peel that suits your skin and is tailored for your schedule.

At Darlinghurst Dermatology Skin & Laser Clinic we use a variety of peeling solutions to treat your skin. We use one of the latest technologies in skin peeling from Italy, The Enerpeels.

This new generation of peels allow treatments to be individually tailored to skin type and age rather than the one type fits all acid peels previously offered.

What happens during Chemical Peel treatment?

Pre Treatment
Sometimes Retin A - a prescription medication derived from Vitamin A - is used to pre-treat the skin. This thins out the skin's surface layer, allowing the acid solution to penetrate more deeply and evenly. If your skin won't tolerate Retin-A pre-treatment, an AHA cream may be used instead. Hydroquinone, a bleaching agent, is sometimes used in conjunction with Retin-A or AHA pre-treatment, especially if you have blotchy skin areas or pigmentation problems.

During Treatment
Your doctor or therapist will apply the solution to your cleansed facial skin, a process that usually takes no more than 10 minutes. The solution is applied using a sponge or a cotton pad. You may feel a stinging sensation as the peel solution is applied, but this feeling will quickly pass. Ice packs are applied to minimize discomfort. With certain types of chemical peels, the solution may be "neutralized" after an appropriate amount of time has elapsed. A full-face peel usually takes no more than 15 minutes. Depending on the strength of the peel, periodic treatments may be necessary until the desired effects are achieved.

Post Treatment
After a superficial peel, it is common to experience some temporary flaking or scaling, redness and dryness of the skin. However, these conditions will disappear as the skin adjusts to treatment. There is no downtime and you can resume your normal activities immediately. It is also possible to have a lunch time peel with superficial peels, the temporary redness, flaking and dryness that you experience will not prevent you from working or engaging in your normal activities. However, protecting your skin from the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Ask your doctor to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it every day.

After a medium-depth peel, you may feel a tingling or throbbing sensation. The mild discomfort you may experience will subside within the first week. More flaking and scaling is seen on the treated area than a superficial peel and this may last for 4 - 7 days, depending on the strength of the peel used. In about a week to ten days, your new skin will be apparent. It is best to avoid sun exposure unless you are adequately protected. During this time, it is especially important that you use a sunblock or blotchy, irregular skin coloring may result.

Superficial peels involve the application of certain mild fruit acids like AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids - the most common ones being Glycolic, Lactic and Citric acids), B.H.A. (Beta Hydroxy Acids - such as Salicylic acid) and combinations of the above (such as the modified Jessner solution) to the skin to rid the upper layers of accumulated dead skin cells and kill the bacteria in the pores that cause acne.
Uses:

Smoothes rough, dry skin
Improves texture of sun-damaged skin
Reduce pore size
Aids in control of acne
Can be mixed with bleaching agent to correct pigment problems

A series of 3-4 peels over 3-4 months may be necessary to achieve the desired results. These types of peels can improve the skin texture and provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who can't spare the time to recover from a TCA peel.

Medium-depth peels involve the application Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), used in different concentrations. The results of TCA peel are usually more dramatic than those of a superficial peel.

Uses:

Smoothes out fine surface wrinkles
Removes superficial blemishes
Corrects pigment problems
Improve acne scars. Removes sunspots.

TCA peels in higher concentrations may result in aggressive exfoliation which restricts a person's activity for about 5-7 days and ideally can been performed over the weekend ("weekend peel") Nevertheless, your skin will eventually be awakened, looking smooth and even.