What are they and should I get one?
It is an advanced skin care treatment that stimulates collagen production, reduces hyperpigmentation, and improves skin texture by exfoliating on a deeper level than say, a scrub or other home care-based exfoliant. A chemical peel can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Aging skin
- Hyperpigmentation
- Sun damage/sun spots
Chemical peels are recommended for those who are looking for dramatic results in the improvement of their skin, maintaining skin health, and/or enhancing the effectiveness of anti-aging serums and creams.
Chemical peel misconceptions:
“Chemical peels do not work.”
If applied correctly, and customized for each individual with a treatment plan and home care regimen, they can show significant improvements in a matter of months (sometimes even quicker).
“Chemical peels are painful.”
Everyone’s pain tolerance is not the same. Some describe the chemical peel process as a tingling sensation while others feel more of a stinging sensation. The process should only be a few minutes long with most peels. If it’s overwhelming, tell your aesthetician right away.
“Chemical peels make your skin flake off so badly you have to hide in your home for a while.”
That depends on the type of peel you’re getting. If you’re going to see an aesthetician, you are most likely getting a superficial or light resurfacing peel. A light peel only requires a week (or more) of daily sunscreen use and some light peeling may occur. If you are seeing an MD who specializes in doing chemical peels, you are getting a medium-depth or deep depth peel. With a medium and deep peel you are sure to have to hide away from the sun for a few weeks.
After care:
Be gentle with your skin and use an SPF for at least 7 days after your chemical peel treatment. Avoid touching your facial skin for at least 24 hours to avoid irritation. Avoid exfoliating your skin with scrubs or chemical exfoliants for the next week. If you notice some light flaking of skin, let it be! Less is more to prevent hyperpigmentation. Wash and moisturize your skin with the products recommended by your aesthetician.
Who should not get a chemical peel?
Depending on the type of peel, pregnancy and/or nursing can be a contraindication. See an aesthetician and they will have a list of questions for you to determine if your able to get a chemical peel.
Using Accutane (isotretinoin), being under chemotherapy, radiation, laser or facial cosmetic surgery over the last 6 months can be serious contraindications that you should not be getting a chemical peel.
A light chemical peel can be applied every 4 weeks, anything more frequent is a contraindication.
Tanning, whether indoor or outdoor, is a contraindication if it’s been within 2 weeks.
Facial waxing within 5 days of a chemical peel is also a contraindication.
With all that being said, a reputable aesthetician who knows how to do these treatments needs to hear about your skin care goals so that a treatment plan can be tailored to your needs. Without the products that are used before and after your peel(s), not much progress can be made. A chemical peel is like hitting the restart button on your skin and the products you use in between your peel services are what will reprogram your skin cells. If you stray away from changing your skin care, or you simply don’t keep up with a consistent routine, you may not consider peels to be very effective.