Do you know what is the difference between a chemical peel in the clinic and at home? Come learn more about it with us.
Peeling is one of the most used methods of skin care and to obtain a more vibrant and youthful complexion, and it can be performed in the clinic or at home. Learn about the differences between chemical peeling done at home and in a clinic by reading along with us:
The difference between in-office and home chemical peels: definition
Here's the definition of each:
- In a clinic, a chemical liquid is applied to the skin, causing the skin to peel and reveal new, smoother, younger skin. This type of chemical peeling is done for the skin under medical supervision, just as it is done in external medical cosmetic clinics.
- Chemical peeling at home: This type of peeling is typically performed at home using cosmetic peeling products, which contain fewer peeling chemicals than the substances used in medical peeling.
The difference between an in-office and home chemical peel: the benefits
These are the main differences:
- advantages of chemical peels in a medical setting
These include:
- Reducing wrinkles around the eyes and mouth.
- Treating wrinkles caused by sunburn and aging.
- Acne treatment .
- Reducing melasma and disparity in skin color resulting from pregnancy or using birth control pills.
- advantages of home chemical peeling
They include:
- Open pores.
- Increase the absorption of skin care products.
- Reduce wrinkles.
- Pigmentation treatment .
The difference between chemical peels in the clinic and at home: types
These are the main differences:
| The difference |
Peeling in the clinic |
Peeling at home |
| Mild peeling |
Chemicals like salicylic acid are typically used, and they are applied to the face with cotton on the areas that need to be peeled. The patient may experience a slight burn during the session as the skin colour starts to lighten. |
Light home peeling requires no breaks or gaps. The skin is peeled by applying materials containing Mandelic or Lactic. It is used to treat minor skin issues like skin roughness and light skin discoloration. |
| Medium peel |
Or the so-called blue peel, in which the doctor places the peeled material on specialised gauze; trichloroacetic acid is typically used to produce the blue colour. After the peeling is finished, the skin will be blue for several days and the patient may experience a slight burn in the face for 20 minutes. |
Medium home peeling uses substances like glycolic acid to remove damaged skin cells from the middle layers of the skin. It also works to treat skin conditions like fine lines, wrinkles, melasma, and the removal of skin tags. |
| Deep peeling |
The patient is given anaesthetic by the doctor, who then uses specialised cotton to apply the material for peeling, typically phenol acid. It takes about 15 minutes before the skin starts to turn white or grey, ensuring that the skin is not subjected to the effects of acid for an extended period of time. |
Deep peeling, which typically uses phenolic acid, requires caution when used at home because it penetrates deeper than the middle layer of skin. It is also preferable to use it under the supervision of a professional. Treatment for deep wrinkles and a significant, uneven change in skin tone involves deep peeling. |
The difference between chemical peels in the clinic and at home: side effects
The main variations between them are as follows:
- Clinic side effects of chemical peels
Side effects of in-office chemical peels include:
- The appearance of redness or swelling, usually accompanies medium or deep peeling and lasts for several months.
- Skin discoloration. Skin can become darker or lighter than normal and is usually accompanied by mild peeling.
- The appearance of scars, usually in the lower part of the face, and their appearance is rare.
- Infection, which can be either a bacterial , viral or fungal infection.
- Liver, heart , or kidney dysfunction may accompany deep peels due to the use of phenol.
- adverse effects of a home chemical peel
The likelihood of redness and infection depends on the type, potency, and intensity of the scrub.
Similarities to in-office or home chemical peels
Contraindications to using peeling on people include the following and are similar for both types:
- Who suffers from skin diseases.
- Those who take medications that make the skin more sensitive.
- Who needs sun exposure Patients who cannot stay out of the sun for the duration of the treatment cannot undergo peeling.