Chemical peels involve a chemical solution made from various acids, which when applied to the skin damage the top layer of the skin. Depending on the type of chemical peel used, the damaged may be superficial, medium or deep. The damage causes the skin to peel, revealing a new and smoother layer of skin. In this way chemical peels can be used to treat acne, pigmentation, freckling, wrinkles, skin tone and texture issues, rejuvenating the skin.

When visiting Nubian Medical Aesthetics, you will be welcomed by Dr Zama Tladi, who is a qualified doctor. With her expertise in medical skin care and skin aesthetics, she will be able to assess your skin and tell you whether a chemical peel may benefit you. IN some cases, wrinkles and fine lines may not be treated with the peel, and she may advise mesotherapy or micro needling in addition to a chemical peel. If she feels a chemical peel may be of benefit to you, she will also tell you what type you will need.

Before beginning, Dr Tladi will clean your skin thoroughly. After applying the chemical solution to the skin, you may feel a slight burning sensation. Depending on the type of chemical peel, it should feel something like a sunburn. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days after your peel. After your peel your new skin will be fairly sensitive, so you will need to avoid the sun for several months after treatment. Downtime after the peel will depend on the type of chemical peel, but Dr Tladi will explain this aspect to you upon assessment.

• Superficial peels – these are the mildest of chemical peels and contain a mild (dilute) acid, often glycolic acid.

• Medium peels – these are slightly more intense. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is often used in these types of peels to penetrate the skin more deeply than superficial peels and cause a second-degree burn of the skin.

• Deep peels – this type usually include phenol which penetrates several layers of skin and causes a second-degree burn of the skin. They are used only on the face. A chemical called phenol is usually used for a deep peel. This type may only be done on fair skin. A deep peel can also only be done once in one's lifetime.

How many chemical peels and which type will depend on your specific skin condition and goals. A mild peel may be repeated after 4 weeks depending on your skin's reaction to the first peel. Medium-depth peels may be repeated in 6 - 12 months if necessary. Deep peels should not be repeated.

While not unbearable, a chemical peel may sting a little as it penetrates the skin. Afterwards, it may feel like sunburn which can be treated with cooling ice packs.

Whether or not you will need downtime will depend on the strength of the chemical peel. Superficial peels may just feel mildly burnt but shouldn't need downtime. Medium chemical peels may need medication and ice packs to soothe the burning while deep chemical peels will need bandaging and significant downtime.

With a medical doctor as your therapist, Dr Tladi will do a thorough assessment of your skin before the chemical peel to ensure that you are a good candidate for this treatment. You may need to stop taking certain medications prior to a chemical peel.