What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is an increasingly popular procedure designed to peel away layers of damaged skin cells to boost collagen production, resulting in a smoother and softer appearance and lower downtime than aesthetic surgery. There are three main types of chemical peels: superficial, medium, and deep peels.

• Superficial Peels: These use mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acids or salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the outer layer of the skin and clear away dead skin cells. They are used for skin rejuvenation to improve the appearance of mild skin discolouration and rough skin texture.
• Medium Peels: These involve glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid to penetrate the outer and middle layers of the skin. They are effective for treating age spots, fine lines, and moderate skin discolouration.
• Deep Peels: These use stronger acids such as phenol to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. They are used to treat deeper wrinkles, severe sun damage, pitted acne scars and precancerous growths.

In a chemical skin peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, causing a controlled 'blistering' effect. This process leads to the peeling away of dry, damaged layers, revealing fresh, new skin underneath.

This procedure is often used to treat blemishes and signs of ageing and is typically painless when performed correctly. However, if done improperly, it can cause pain, irritation, and irreversible damage such as scarring.

Chemical peels are not suitable for all skin types, so it is essential to consult a professional, such as a GP or dermatologist, who can carefully assess your skin before proceeding with the treatment.

Why does my skin look burned after a chemical peel?

The appearance of burned skin following a chemical peel is often due to the nature of the treatment itself. Chemical peels work by exfoliating the outer layers of the skin, which can lead to redness, swelling, and a burnt look as the skin begins to heal and regenerate. This reaction is typically temporary, but it can be alarming. It's important to adhere to post-peel care guidelines provided by your practitioner to help soothe your skin and promote healing. If the burnt appearance persists or worsens, seeking medical advice is recommended to address any complications.

Can your skin get worse after a chemical peel?

Undergoing a chemical peel can sometimes result in adverse effects, making your skin appear worse than before the treatment. This reaction can occur due to various factors, such as the depth of the peel, your skin type, and the care you take during the recovery process. Some individuals may experience increased redness, irritation, and even scarring if the peel is not administered correctly or if post-treatment care is inadequate. It is essential to follow professional advice and carefully monitor your skin's response to mitigate these risks.

What happens when a chemical peel goes wrong?

A superficial peel will often be painless when done correctly and aims to just remove one or two layers of dead skin, brightening your appearance - this also applies to the mediumlevel chemical peel. These procedures don’t require anaesthetic but will often produce a slight burning sensation when applied.

The result of deep chemical peels last much longer, but they also come with more pain, risk and require a local anesthetic to administer. Patients who opt for a deep chemical peel and face issues may suffer side effects including:

• Blisters
• Facial scarring
• Reddening of the skin
• Permanent damage to the skin
• Bacterial infections
• A burning sensation
• Permanent skin discoloration and/or post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation

How do you recover from a bad chemical peel?

If you've had a deep peel that has gone wrong, take these important steps to support your skin's healing process:

• Gently cleanse your skin with a mild, non-irritating cleanser
• Apply a moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated
• Avoid sun exposure and use a high-SPF sunscreen if you need to go outside
• Refrain from picking at peeling skin to prevent scarring and infection
• Use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation and discomfort
• Seek advice from a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon who is trained in chemical peel burns

If your symptoms are severe or do not improve, consulting a dermatologist or medical professional is advisable to receive appropriate treatment and care.

Why should I choose Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors?

Deciding to seek compensation for a negligent chemical peel treatment can be daunting. However, at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, we pride ourselves on offering a genuine and sympathetic service to support each of our clients individually. We tailor our services to your exact needs, ensuring that you feel comfortable throughout every step of the process.

After you start your claim with us, we will be there to support you with any questions you may have or guidance you may need. We promise to keep you informed throughout the process to ensure you have full understanding and peace of mind.

So far, our specialist lawyers have secured over £10 million in compensation for our clients. You can rest assured of our dedication and expertise in pursuing a successful claim.

How long will the claims process take?

While we can’t give an exact length of time for how long a chemical peel claim will take, our solicitors will ensure that your case proceeds as swiftly and efficiently as possible so that you can continue with your recovery process and receive the compensation you deserve.

As soon as you start your claim, one of our dedicated lawyers will be assigned to your case and they will assess the specific details of your claim and discuss potential timescales.
Do I have a chemical peel claim?

Any clinician or practitioner who carries out a cosmetic procedure, such as a chemical peel, has a duty of care to ensure that what they are administering is done in a safe and sterile manner. The wellbeing of their patients should be at the forefront of their mind at all times throughout the process and best practices should always be undertaken.

Not only will these cosmeticians be responsible for avoiding any complications that can be reasonably prevented during your chemical peel, but they should also provide patients with comprehensive information about the process, how it works, and the risks that could come with it. They should also be willing to discuss their qualifications with you and put you at ease.

If a clinic does not uphold this duty and you have suffered adverse effects as a result, then you may be eligible to make a claim for chemical peel compensation.

How much compensation can you get for a chemical peel claim?

The amount of compensation you will receive from can receive for a chemical peel claim will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the amount of risk that was posed to you. The amount of financial losses incurred will also be considered, for example, if you needed to take time off of work as a result of your injuries.

The more information we are able to receive, the better we can assist you with your claim and give you a rough estimate of what sort of compensation you could be looking at.

Though we cannot provide any exact figures for your claim, you could potentially receive up to £85,000 for very severe cases.

Are there time limits on making a chemical peel claim?

In most cases of personal injury, whether it is cosmetic or otherwise, you will have up to three years to bring a claim. However, we suggest gathering the information you need and contacting us as soon as possible after your incident to ensure a faster recovery and receive the full payout that you deserve much quicker.

For more information about time restrictions when making a chemical peel treatments claim, click here.

How can we help?

If you have been the victim of a botched chemical peel, our legal experts at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors are on hand to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

We are the UK’s leading cosmetic surgery law firm and have a strong reputation for delivering outstanding results to our clients who have suffered as a result of chemical peel negligence.