Rejuvenating Chemical Peels 

Mississauga Cosmetic Surgery Clinic offers a variety of chemical peels, allowing for treatment of most skin types. These include Alpha Hydroxyl Acid, Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid peels, as well as AFA peels which are useful in darker skinned patients, and can be carried out in the summer months as they do not result in sun sensitivity. Finally, Dr. Weinberg also administers a Trichloroacetic Acid peel, which is a deeper and more corrective peel for more severely sun damaged skin with deep lines and wrinkles.

Chemical peels offer another method of exfoliation, whereby the dead layer of the outer stratum corneum of the skin is peeled away, causing a reactivation of collagen and elastin production through stimulation of the deeper layers. Many peels are derived from natural fruit acids. The liquid acid is applied to the skin for a contolled length of time from 1 to 10 minutes, depending on the type of peel, skin type and desired effect. You may experience a feeling of tingling or heat during the treatment. Some redness afterward is usual. Chemical peels can stimulate outbreaks of Rosacea or cold sores in predisposed patients. An antiviral medication can be taken beforehand to prevent cold sores. Peels improve the texture of the skin, giving a smoother feel, and lightening of dark discoloration. The skin has a more even tone, and a healthy glow. For optimal results, peels should be repeated at periodic intervals. They are often used in combination with other treatments like microdermabrasion or IPL to enhance results.

Gycolic, AHA, and Salicylic Acid Peels

Glycolic Acid and Alpha Hydroxy Acid peels are the mildest peels, with Salicylic Acid being somewhat stronger. These are most suitable to light skinned individuals as pigment changes can result in those with darker complexions. Patients should use sunscreen for several days afterward as the skin will be more photosensitive, and strong medications like Retin A should be avoided for a few days. There may be some mild redness or dryness afterward, but there is no downtime and patients can return to work immediately the same day. For maximal benefit these peels shoud be repeated several times over a number of weeks.

AFA Peels

AFA Peels contain acidic amino acids. AFA stands for Amino Acid Filaggrin based Antioxidants, Filaggrin being a protein that is metabolized by the skin into several amino acids which help the skin retain moisture.AFAs are thought to promote moisture retention, reduce photopigmentation, and exfoliate the skin with minimal irritation and without producing sun sensitivity. In contrast to other peels they give good results in darker skins, with no risk of hyper or hypopigmentation . These are typically used in combination with a 2 week home treatment done prior to the peel.These peels are ideal for patients with dry sensitive skin.

TCA Peels

Finally, Trichloroacetic Acid peels (TCA) are a deeper peel that removes the entire epidermis and some of the dermis of the skin. It results in smoothing of wrinkles and removal of superficial blemishes, and  improvement of color, texture and thickness of the skin. It is suitable for fair skinned people with more markedly damaged or aged complexions. This peel is not appropriate for darker skins as permanent pigment changes can occur. This peel should not be administered by anyone other than an experienced physician. The liquid acid is applied in layers, with a “frosted” appearance developing on the skin. A stinging and tingling sensation will be felt. The procedure takes about 15 minutes. Afterward moisturizer and sunscreen are applied. Patients will typically be quite red and often blistered for ten days to two weeks.  Again, it can stimulate an outbreak of cold sores, so patients prone to them should take antiviral medication. Best results for a TCA peel may require a repeat treatment in six months to a year.