Viral Clips Of Deep Chemical Peel Show A Huge Layer Of Skin Being Removed, But It Uses An Acid That Can "Harm The Kidneys And Liver"

The beauty industry is always coming up with new ways to promise younger, fresher looking skin. Botox used to be taboo and never spoken of, but now it's common knowledge that many women get injections of some kind. A chemical peel is another popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment, known for its significant impact on skin rejuvenation and enhancement. It involves the application of a carefully formulated chemical solution to the skin, which exfoliates the surface layer, leading to a fresh, vibrant layer of skin beneath. Chemical peels can be used to treat skin issues such as sun damage, acne, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. They are categorized into light, medium, and deep peels, each offering a different depth of exfoliation and catering to varying skin conditions.

Statistics indicate that chemical peels are gaining increasing popularity among women in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, roughly 1.3 million chemical peel procedures were performed in 2020, marking a steady rise in their demand. Most recipients are women, who account for approximately 92% of all cosmetic procedure patients.

Chemical peels are said to promote skin health by speeding up the natural exfoliation process, leading to improved texture and appearance; they apparently stimulate the production of collagen, a protein responsible for skin's elasticity, thereby reducing signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. However, they're known to make your skin very red and even raw for a period of time after you get one done (who could forget Samantha's face at Carrie's book launch party in Sex and the City?). A couple of viral clips online show an especially strong chemical peel that leaves many people wondering if it's even safe.

Viral Clips of Deep Chemical Peel Show a Huge Layer of Skin Being Removed, but Is It Safe?

A Twitter account called @TheCosmeticLane shared videos from a TikTok account @clinicahamronia with 189,000 followers, which features many women getting chemical peels done at a clinic in Brazil. There are some pretty amazing before-and-after stories, and the one in particular that is catching so much attention is a deep peel using carbolic acid. Carbolic acid, also known as phenol, is an aromatic organic compound widely recognized in the medical and cosmetic industry. It is a white crystalline solid at room temperature and has a distinctively sweet, acrid odor. In the realm of cosmetic treatments, carbolic acid plays a pivotal role in the formulation of deep chemical peels. Known as phenol peels, they represent the most intensive category of chemical peels and offer the most dramatic results.

Phenol peels work by causing a controlled injury to the skin, which prompts the skin's natural healing process. The phenol solution penetrates deep into the dermis, removing damaged skin layers and stimulating collagen production. As a result, phenol peels effectively treat severe sun damage, deep wrinkles, pre-cancerous growths, and pronounced discoloration. However, due to its potency, a phenol peel must be administered by a skilled medical professional under strict safety guidelines. It often necessitates a longer recovery period and carries a greater risk of complications compared to lighter peels. Therefore, patient suitability must be carefully evaluated, taking into consideration factors like skin type, medical history, and specific skin concerns.

"[Phenol] can damage heart muscle & cause the heart to beat irregularly," @TheCosmeticLane tweets. "Phenol can also harm the kidneys & liver."

You may need a local anesthetic and a sedative to manage the pain that comes with this peel. The videos show women with a dark, almost frightening peel on their face that they keep on for a while. When it is removed, you can clearly see that a huge layer of skin comes off the woman's face, leaving her skin very red and delicate. It's not clear how much time it takes for this to heal, but there is certainly a clear difference once their skin returns to "normal." They have fewer wrinkles, their skin looks dewy, and they do look younger.

However, many of the comments point out that you can still see the woman's true age around her eyes and on her neck, because those are the areas that the peel is not (and cannot be) used. "It's not worth it," one user commented.

Although these videos are going viral and you can see a stark difference in the woman's skin, many people are wondering if this is worth it—and if it's an appropriate thing to be encouraging for women. Chemicals this strong can't be good for your body, and we have to seriously ask ourselves if it's a good message to send to young women. Whatever happened to aging gracefully and taking care of your body—and thus your skin—throughout your life?

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