A chemical peel is a type of skin care treatment that uses chemicals to remove the outer layer of your skin. This can improve the appearance of your skin by reducing wrinkles, blemishes/ discoloration, improve the texture and color of the skin.
What are the Benefits of a Chemical Peel?
-Treats acne
-‘Minimizes’ pores
-Reduces/removes fine lines and wrinkles
-Fades discoloration/hyperpigmentation
-Balances texture/smoothes skin
Now that we’ve listed out the benefits, I’d like to further discuss each one with a bit more detail!
Treating Acne
Acne can be a difficult thing to treat especially since there are so many factors when it comes to what could be causing it! It could be hormones, diet, certain products, medications, or even a combination of multiple things! That being said, a chemical peel is able to help acne because it is a deeper exfoliation method so it is able to cleanse your skin more thoroughly to reveal a fresh new layer of skin without the blemishes. Typically to treat acne with chemical peels it works best in a series of treatments!
‘Minimizes’ Pores
First off, I’d like to state that your pores do NOT shrink or grow! Yes they can open/close when exposed to hot or cold BUT very minimally to the point that it is not noticeable. That being said, you can reduce the ‘appearance’ of your pores! Key word appearance! When our pores are clogged with sebum and other cellular debris they can appear larger. That’s where chemical peels come in! We are able to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells and clear out the debris in your pores which leads to smaller looking pores!
Fine lines and Wrinkles
When it comes to fine lines and wrinkles I typically recommend starting with laser resurfacing because it’s a quicker way of ‘removing’ those stubborn signs of aging. Yes, laser can be more intense and more expensive but it’s the quickest way to see results especially when it comes to deeper lines and wrinkles. Not everyone is ready for the downtime and discomfort of a laser though and that’s okay!! That’s why we have many treatment options here at Medrein Health & Aesthetics. Chemical peels are the next best option! With peels it’ll take more sessions to achieve the smooth complexion you desire but it does indeed get the job done.
Discoloration/hyperpigmentation
With hyperpigmentation or any discoloration it is so important to meet with a doctor who specializes in skin to evaluate you before coming up with a treatment plan for you. Hyperpigmentation or any other pigment condition can be so difficult to get rid and it’s important to know what kind of pigment you have! Some examples are melasma vs sunspots! Sunspots can be treated with chemical peels but melasma cannot!! Different pigments are caused by different issues so its necessary to know what you’re dealing with before starting any type of treatment.
Texture
Chemical peels are deeper exfoliation which is able to resurface any textural issues you may have! Depending on the severity of the texture, you may need more than a couple sessions but that is something Dr. Mikki could determine for you during a consultation!
What to Avoid After a Chemical Peel?
-Sun exposure is the most important one to avoid! Your skin is more sensitive after a peel so you don’t want to exposure your skin to the harmful rays. You’ll want to wear a sensitive sunscreen during the healing process and avoid being outside for longer periods of time.
-Physical and chemical exfoliants or other ‘aggressive’ products are not your friend after a peel. Refrain from using your regular skincare afterwards. Always use the recommended after care products!
-Dirty pillowcase! I always suggest changing to a fresh, clean pillowcase after any aesthetic treatment, whether it’s a chemical peel to a laser treatment, or even a microneedling. It’s best so you can avoid possible infection of your healing skin!
-Picking at your peeling skin. This one is a hard one since most people can’t help themselves when it comes to peeling off the dead layer of skin after a chemical peel. It’s so important to avoid doing this though as it can cause hyperpigmentation or even an infection since you’ll reveal a raw, fresh layer of skin underneath!
What to Expect During a Chemical Peel?
Here at Medrein Health & Aesthetics we mainly use The Perfect Derma Peel so I’ll walk you through the process for that particular peel!
Cleanse
First you’ll be double cleansed with an oil based cleanser then a water based cleanser. After that you’ll be ‘de-greased’ using rubbing alcohol.
Peel Application
The actual application of the peel is quite quick! We use a square of gauze to apply the peel liquid to the face in quick swiping motions. You may feel a bit of stinging but other than that it is super comfortable.
After Application
After the peel liquid has had a few minutes to dry, we then apply some SPF and calming cream to help with any itchiness/tightness you may feel afterwards. We also send you home with an aftercare kit with instructions on what to do!
What is The Perfect Derma Peel?
The Perfect Derma Peel is the only peel that contains the powerful antioxidant Glutathione, which lightens and brightens, as well as prevents wrinkles! It also contains TCA, Retinoic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Kojic Acid, Phenol, and Vitamin C. This is a medium depth peel that is safe and effective for all skin types and ethnicities.
