Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are effective treatment options for all skin types and concerns, they improve tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles, breakouts and dark spots, but many people are intimidated to go in for their first peel treatment. The fear of leaving with a bright red face that hurts, prevents some from experiencing the many benefits of a peel. Post-peel reality is a glowing, healthy complexion. Here’s everything you need to know before your first chemical peel:
Peeling is exfoliation. When your skin peels or flakes after a treatment your skin is shedding dead or damaged surface cells and revealing new, healthy skin cells on the surface. This action is called cell turnover. Supporting the cell turnover process with chemical peels is what allows the skin to shed dead cells and bring new, fresh skin to the surface, free of signs of aging, sun damage, dirt and debris. The result is glowing skin.
You won’t necessarily experience visible peeling. That doesn’t mean your treatment was ineffective. Everyone experiences different levels of peeling, dependent upon skin type, resilience, type of peel and the number of layers applied. Some people experience ‘sheeting,’ when large portions of the skin peel off at once. Some experience ‘flaking,’ when small pieces of skin peel off, similar to dry, winter skin or mild peeling after a sunburn. Others experience exfoliation that is not visible. Often times, healthy skin won't visibly peel or flake. If you don’t peel, your skin is still exfoliating. In this case, the exfoliation is happening on a cellular level that can’t be seen by the naked eye.
Peels are easy to work into a busy lifestyle. There is no downtime with chemical peels — you’ll leave your appointment with a healthy glow and able to carry on with your regular activities.
What to do before my Chemical Peel:
Ensure that you've had little sun exposure 2 weeks before.
No tanning (sun or self-tanner) 2 weeks before.
Cannot be done on compromised skin (sunburned/wind burned skin, active rashes, etc.).
Discontinue all exfoliating products 5-7 days before. This includes scrubs, cleansing brushes, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinol derivatives, topical acne treatments, etc.
What to do after my Chemical Peel:
Don't worry about doing a skin care routine that same night, you can go right to sleep! Start your simple and gentle routine the next morning.
Keep your skin care routine very simple and gentle for 5 days- Gentle Cleanser, Basic Moisturizer, SPF.
Also discontinue any corrective or active serums/moisturizers- vitamin C, Retinol derivatives, acne treatments, etc for 5-7days.
Avoid vigorous physical activity, pools, saunas, hot tubs for 48hrs.
Absolutely no picking, pulling of peeling skin, or scratching!
SPF 30 or greater EVERY morning- wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, etc.
You may wear makeup the next day, but if you can, be foundation-free for 2 days.
*Please note that you need to wait 1 week after facial waxing before getting a Chemical Peel. You must also wait 2 weeks after a Peel to get waxed.
*Give 1 week before and after Botox/Filler injections for this treatment.