Chemical peel, carbon facial or skin polishing: which one for your skin?
In brief
Choose by the problem, not the name. A chemical peel is the one for melasma, pigmentation and marks. Skin polishing lifts tan and dullness from the surface. A carbon facial is for oily skin, open pores and a dull look. None of the three removes deep scars, and none is done on inflamed acne or sunburnt skin.
Side by side
| Chemical peel | Skin polishing | Carbon facial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A solution left on the skin for a set time, so the dull outer layer sheds | A machine that lifts off the dead surface layer | A carbon lotion, then a laser pass that clears it with the oil and dead cells |
| Chosen for | Melasma, pigmentation, tan, acne scars, dull skin | Tan, dull or rough skin, oily skin, enlarged pores | Oily skin, open pores, a dull look |
| Will not do | Remove deep scars or lift sagging skin | Remove deep pigmentation or scars | Remove melasma or deep scars |
| Feels like | Mild stinging or warmth for a few minutes | A light scraping and suction | Warmth and light snaps on the skin |
| Afterwards | Tight, a little red, some flaking for a few days | Mild redness for a short time | Mild redness for a short time |
| Sittings | A course of six at the clinic | Repeated from time to time | Repeated to keep the effect |
Which one for which problem
- Tan. Skin polishing, or a light peel. The clinic often pairs the two.
- Melasma and dark patches. A series of chemical peels with creams, internal medicine and daily sunscreen. Neither polishing nor a carbon facial is enough on its own. See melasma in Ayurveda.
- Acne marks and shallow scars. Peels help. Deeper scars need other treatment, such as a dermaroller.
- Oily skin and open pores. A carbon facial or skin polishing.
- A dull look before an event. Skin polishing or a carbon facial, since neither needs time to settle. Do not have a strong peel for the first time just before an event.
Why Indian skin needs a gentle hand
Darker skin answers irritation with pigment. A peel that is too strong, or polishing over inflamed skin, can leave new dark patches that take months to fade. That is why the peel and its strength are chosen after the skin has been examined, and why a series of gentle sittings is safer than one strong one.
Whichever you have, use sunscreen every day afterwards and stay out of strong sun. Sun exposure is the commonest reason pigmentation returns after treatment.
When to skip all three
Postpone them if the skin is sunburnt, broken or infected, or if there is inflamed acne. A peel is also put off during a cold sore. Tell the doctor if you are pregnant, if you take medicine that makes the skin sensitive to light, or if you have recently taken acne medicine by mouth.
Questions patients ask
Which is best for removing tan?
Skin polishing or a light peel, and the clinic often uses the two together. Tan usually clears faster than melasma.
Is a carbon facial good for melasma?
No. A carbon facial freshens oily, dull skin, but it does not remove melasma. Melasma is treated with a series of peels, creams, internal medicine and daily sunscreen.
Which has no downtime?
Skin polishing and a carbon facial: you can go back to your day straight away, with sunscreen on. After a peel the skin may feel tight and flake a little for a few days.
How many sittings will I need?
The clinic gives peels as a course of six sittings. Skin polishing and carbon facials work for a while and are repeated from time to time; the doctor suggests an interval for your skin.
What do these treatments cost?
It depends on the treatment and the number of sittings. Please call the clinic for current charges.
At the clinic
-
Chemical peel
Fruit, glycolic, lactic, Nomelan and yellow peels for melasma, tan, acne scars and dull skin.
Courses of 6 sittings -
Skin polishing
Microdermabrasion for sun tan, dull, oily or ageing skin and enlarged pores.
No downtime -
Carbon facial
A carbon lotion and a laser pass, for oily skin, open pores and dullness.
Carbon and laser
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