There has been a real explosion of interest in chemical peels for tattoo removal in the last 20 years. Before the advent of resurfacing lasers, people used to use some of the strongest chemical peels to try to erase tattoos as well as deeper lines and wrinkles. When performed by experts, the results of some of these harsh peels can be excellent. However, there was a real risk that the deeper the peel, the whiter the skin discoloration would occur, often leading to uneven and patchy results, and in some cases white and red scarring.
Now, however, in the current peel revolution, we have the benefit of peels that have a much more superficial effect. To achieve optimal results, they are usually repeated up to three or four times.
What is chemical peel?
Chemical peeling consists of the application to the skin of a chemical substance that causes the detachment of the superficial layers of the skin. By shedding these layers, a new layer of skin is formed that is healthier and less mottled. In addition to boosting the regeneration process, the chemical also tricks the dermis (the skin’s support structure) into producing new collagen under the skin.
There are several types of superficial (superficial) chemical peels (in order from most superficial to deepest):
lactic acid peels
Glycolic Acid Peels
Peelings with beta-hydroxy acids
jessner shells
Combinations of the previous peelings.
Lactic acid is one of the alpha hydroxy acid peels that is originally obtained from milk and dairy products. Lactic acid peels are extremely valuable for people with very sensitive skin. They are generally well tolerated and will lead to less flaking and shredding of the skin than glycolic and beta peels. Lactic acid could be considered an “entry level” peel.
It is helpful to mention TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels and how they compare to superficial peels. A lower concentration TCA, for example 10 to 25 percent, could actually be used as a superficial peel, while a 35 percent concentration will constitute a medium to deep peel. Some dermatologists still use these deeper peels, but many have switched to laser resurfacing due to its depth control potential. TCA is one of the most common acids in various tattoo removal products and can be used alone as a treatment.
However, there are several qualities of the acid to consider, including whether or not TCA is simply a commercial grade or is a purer “medical” grade. The better the quality of the product, the higher the price will naturally be, so be sure to select a product that is effective rather than one that will simply save you money.
The acids mentioned above, aside from the Jessner peel, are generally not effective at removing tattoo ink, they just don’t penetrate the skin’s surface deeply enough. They are safe, glycolic acid is actually derived from sugar cane and is non-toxic, but it will not be effective for your needs as it will only loosen dead surface skin cells to reveal brighter, smoother skin and younger-looking below.
Beta-hydroxy acid peels come in varying concentrations of salicylic acid (related to the chemical in aspirin) in a peel. They are similar to glycolic acid peels in most ways, the main difference being that they are a bit stronger and can cause more redness and flaking of the surface. However, these are not used as effectively as TCA peels, they are simply not strong enough to penetrate to the levels needed to reach the tattoo pigment. I hope this article sheds some light on the various peels out there and helps you make a more informed decision when contemplating using one of these methods to remove unwanted ink.