Written By Lauren Cardone, APRN, Owner, Revitalize Medspa & Skincare Center
Chemical peels are cosmetic treatments that involve the careful exfoliation of the skin using one or more acids. Chemical peels are one of the most misunderstood skincare Medspa treatments. Many people immediately think of red, flaking, painful-looking skin when they here “Chemical Peel”. But gone are the days of old, outdated chemical peel formulas that resulted in unpleasant side effects with long lengthy downtime. Today’s chemical peel formulas smooth the texture of your skin, help diminish wrinkles, brighten the skin tone, increase firmness, remove Melasma and much more –without the multiple days of flaking, severe redness or peeling that would make you want to hide away! Our skin cells turn over at a rate of 21-28 days, as we age, this process decreases significantly. Peeling is one of the best ways to speed up your natural cell turnover, uncover healthy skin, correct skin health, and remove tired old skin cells.
A chemical peel can help with:
- Acne scars
- Age and liver spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Freckles
- Irregular skin pigmentation
- Rosacea and redness
- Scarring
- Melasma
- Sun-damaged skin (Sun damage causes aging in our skin, commonly seen in the fine lines around the eyes and mouth. Removing these damaged layers of skin will significantly improve the appearance fine lines and restore our skins youth)
What to Expect After a Chemical Peel
Your Skin May Peel
How long your skin will peel can depend on your skin type, the type, and depth of the solution used. The action occurs at the cellular level—the visible peeling is a side effect of skin cells being removed. The lower the pH, the more acidic, and the deeper they penetrate into the dermal layers of the skin. Traditional medium-depth chemical peels take between three to five days for the skin to peel. Deeper peels can take seven to ten days to recuperate from. Peeling typically begins on or around the third day after a peel, not immediately after. Revitalize Medspa Skincare Expert and APRN Lauren with guide you towards post care expectations based on the Chemical Peel chosen for your skin care needs.
Treat Your Skin With Care
Lauren Cardone, APRN recommends the use of a gentle cleanser and a hydrating serum or gel, like one that contains hyaluronic acid or ceramides to help soothe the skin in the days following a chemical peel. Depending on the peel chosen your skin care regimen will be tailored as to what products to start and stop within the coming week following a peel. Additionally your Chemical Peel care includes a follow up plan for assessment and next steps to extend the life of your peel, assess whether another Chemical Peel is needed, and ensure your skin care regimen is working properly for your skincare needs.
Don’t Neglect SPF
The chemical peel is used to accelerate the exfoliation of dead skin cells to reveal fresh, new skin. After a chemical peel, your skin is more prone to sun damage. The biggest risk during this process is sun exposure, and Revitalize Medspa APRN Lauren highly recommends using a high, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above to protect your skin during the delicate time following the procedure.
Avoid Overheating the Skin
Revitalize Medspa APRN Lauren also explains the importance of keeping the skin cool, “You shouldn’t let hot water touch your face as any inflammation can spike post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).” She urges you not to take hot showers and keep your water at room temperature or colder. This is also a good time to take a break from the gym or yoga class.
Is Chemical Peel Safe?
When performed under a trained skincare specialist, chemical peels are extremely safe. However, you must follow pre and post peel instructions as suggested.
