I know, dealing with your skin issues can be super challenging! It seems like there’s a million different products and services that promise to rid you of your acne, diminish wrinkles and laugh lines, and make you look like a celebrity. That would be nice! I am guessing you’re not quite ready to run off to the plastic surgeon’s yet though, right? What if I told you that you can heal and regenerate your skin, get rid of clogged pores, get rid of acne, correct hyperpigmentation, and repair skin? All without plastic surgery. You can!

Chemical peels are an amazing way to get celebrity status results, without dishing out celebrity bucks or visiting a surgeon. Chemical peels have astounding benefits. They help with cell turnover, stimulates collagen and elastin, works as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, and provide powerful antioxidants. Peels will leave your skin rejuvenated, glowing, and with celebrity status skin. Seriously! Many celebrities visit their skincare professionals for chemical peels. Melissa George, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Paris Hilton, Madonna, and Kim Kardashian are all celebrities (just to name a few) who have taken advantage of the nearly miraculous results of peels!

So, What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to repair the texture of the skin, by removing the outer layers of the skin.

They May Sound Scary, but They’re Not.

Don’t be scared about the term “chemical”! The term can be a bit misleading. Many people do not know that most of the chemicals are derived from natural sources.  AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) come from things like sugar cane, rhubarb, and milk.  BHA’s (Beta Hydroxy Acids), also known as, salicylic acid, can derive from things like wintergreen, and the bark of sweet birch. Not so scary, right?! Actually, chemical peels are probably the least invasive way to improving the skin.

Light Peels

Peels made with AHA’s and BHA’s are typically known as light peels, or “lunchtime” peels. They are coined lunchtime peels because you can literally get your peel over lunch, and go back looking brighter, tighter, and lighter. Light peels help with sun damage, pigmentation, fine lines, and mild acne. However, since they only remove the top layer of skin (known as the epidermis), people do not typically experience much, if any, redness or flaking.

Medium Depth Peels

Not all acids are derived from natural sources of course. TCA’S (Trichloroacetic Acids) are getting into the mid-depth to deep levels of peels and are much stronger and derived from more chemicals than the progressive level peels. While light peels only remove the epidermis, TCA peels go into the mid-epidermal layers of the skin. Mid depth peels do require some down time; unlike a light peel. You will probably experience some redness, and will peel similarly to the way you would from a sunburn. Downtime can be about a week.

Frequency

Light peels work best in a series of 3-6 peels, and can be done once per month. Mid depth peels work well in a series of 2-4, also about a month apart.

At Home Peel vs. Professional Peel

Okay, so you have an idea of what a peel is, what it can help with, and the different levels of peels. Knowing all of this though, what is the difference between doing an at home peel vs. a professional peel?

At home peels are basically exfoliants. The peeling is extremely superficial, but they do help provide even toned, healthy skin.

A professional chemical peel, applied by an esthetician, will go much deeper into the skin layer. The pH level is lower and this allows for the deeper penetration. This is why they are so incredible at regenerating, helping with rosacea, wrinkles, fine lines, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Seriously, the difference a series of chemical peels can make on acne scars, is unbelievable!

The Why=The Results

The results that can be obtained with chemical peels are astonishing. The regenerated, toned, polished, and repaired look your skin experiences, without an invasive surgical procedure, is truly a miracle. Many people do not realize chemical peels are a solution to the issues or concerns they are having.

Don’t feel bad though. Even if you do not have any serious issues going on, it’s totally fine to get a peel simply to experience the rejuvenated glow. Afterall, who doesn’t want to look 20 again?! Moral of the story? You can get celebrity results with your skin, without paying celebrity bucks, or opting for invasive surgical procedures! Contact Kristina to schedule today.