Chemical Peels, Not So Scary After All!

A chemical peel is a professional procedure that uses a chemical solution, such as lactic or glycolic  acid to resurface & refresh the skin. These ingredients work by removing the outer dead, damaged layers revealing a smoother, healthier, younger-looking complexion.

Chemical peels are extremely common and favored by estheticians and dermatologists for their effectiveness and ease of use. Peels are even gentle enough for those with sensitive skin because they tend to be much milder than a mechanical exfoliant, which can scratch and irritate the skin.

As we age, our cell renewal rate decreases significantly, and peeling is the best way to speed up your natural cell turnover to uncover the fresh, healthy skin underneath the layers of dead surface cells.

There are a few different types of chemical peels and they are generally categorized by how deeply they penetrate the skin. There are three main depths of peels: Superficial, medium depth, and deep.

Superficial peels penetrate the outermost layer of the epidermis. There is no downtime associated with them and they can be done the same day as an event. They’re often performed in a series to treat skin concerns like fine lines & wrinkles, and they will noticeably refresh the skin leaving you with a lovely glow!

Medium depth peels are very effective for patients with moderate skin damage, including age spots, freckles, and pigmentation issues.

Deep chemical peels are more aggressive & affect the skin down to the reticular layer of the dermis. They are not very common these days, as new laser technology can deliver greater results with more control & less post procedure discomfort, as well as the stereotypical redness & peeling associated with them. I think everyone remembers that Sex and the City episode where Samantha has a chemical peel done and  wears a veil for the reminder of the episode to hide her burnt-looking skin.

A common myth with chemical peels is that you will be peeling a lot afterwards. You don’t necessarily have to visibly peel to get the benefits. The action occurs at the cellular level, and the visible peeling can be a side effect of the dead skin being removed! Hello baby soft skin!

Chemical peels can eliminate superficial scars and pigmentation, reduce the size of pores and improve the tone and texture of your skin. For extremely deep scars or severe pigmentation, we perform a skin analysis and will likely recommend the combination of a laser in order to resurface your skin at the dermal layer. It is always best to have your esthetician analyze your skin and assess what to expect in terms of results.

Chemical peels can be performed as a series of treatments on their own or combined with other skincare procedures such as IPL, laser genesis, radiofrequency or microneedling. They can be much more effective as part of a treatment plan. 

One of the most important things to keep in mind when deciding on a treatment for your skin is to make sure that you’re going to an experienced aesthetician who knows what they’re doing. It’s important to have a proper consultation done. Your skin should be assessed, your concerns discussed, and your expectations addressed.  

We are now offering the SkinCeuticals Gel peel at RSVP, which is a gentle, effective & customizable peel made up of glycolic & lactic acids. Call or Email us to find out more about how our team can help you with your skin care needs. Check out our instagram for before & after photos, as well as promos & giveaways!