CHEMICAL PEELING AGAINST STRETCH MARKS

A chemical peeling is a procedure performed by a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon with the help of a chemical solution. After the chemical agents are applied to the skin, its upper layers are peeled off, which stimulates the growth of new skin cells and boosts collagen and elastin synthesis.
Depending on the depth of chemical peel, some patients are recommended to prepare the skin with Retin-A, Renova or other medications. During the treatment, the skin is first cleansed from excess oils, and then a chemical solution with glycolic, trichloroacetic, or phenol acids is applied. With mild peelings, you may experience hot or stinging sensation which lasts up to ten minutes. A deeper peeling may result in pain, so you'll need to take medications during or after the treatment to help you feel better.

A day or two after the procedure you may notice small flakes on your body. They will soon fall off and expose the new skin; it will look red at first, but gradually will lighten. Your health care provider will most probably recommend you to wear a sunscreen of at least spf 15, as chemical peelings make the skin very UV-sensitive. To stop itching sensation or swelling, try using cold compresses and avoid make up for a couple of weeks. If you've had a deep peeling, you may have to wear bandages for a day or two to protect the treated area. A deep peeling gives maximum results, but the recovery process may take several weeks.

A chemical peeling is considered to be a safe procedure when performed by a board-certified, experienced health care provider. However, though they occur rarely, there are a few potential risks of skin pigmentation, infection and scarring.