Have you ever wondered what a chemical peel or microdermabrasion are? You are not alone! I am going to tell you exactly what they are so you can schedule an appointment to get one done.
A chemical peel is a procedure used to improve the appearance of the skin on the face. A chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. This exfoliation causes a regeneration of cells revealing new and healthier skin. If you have never had a peel the first step is to make an appointment with Dr. Harper, Becky Edwards or Katie Tuck to ensure that you are a candidate for a chemical peel. If you are a candidate you can have the peel done on the same day.
The chemical peels we use are from SkinMedica, they are the Illuminize Peel and Vitalize Peel and have different effects on the skin but both reveal a more radiant appearance. The Illuminize Peel is used for those with mild skin imperfections, this peel works by brightening skin and improving its color and clarity. There isn’t any downtime with little or no peeling and can be done every two weeks. The Vitalize Peel is used for those with moderate skin imperfections and to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and melasma. To achieve the best results it is recommended to get the Vitalize Peel in a series of 3 and spaced out every 4-6 weeks. There is minimal downtime with mild to moderate peeling lasting 2-5 days. Now that you know the basics of the 2 peels we carry I am going to explain to you what to expect before, during and after the Illuminize Peel and the Vitalize Peel. As a general rule of thumb for both peels, stop using products that have retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids or benzoyl peroxide 3 days before your scheduled peel. There are 2 steps to the Illuminize Peel, the first step is cleansing the areas of the skin where the peel is to be applied with a prepping solution. The second step is the Illuminize Peel Solution, as this is being applied you may feel tingling or mild burning, redness, warmth and itching, don’t worry we have a hand held fan to help, and these symptoms will calm down after a minute or two. You are now finished. The Vitalize Peel is a 3 step process. The first step is the cleansing of the areas where the peel will be applied with the prepping solution. The second step is the Vitalize Peel Solution, as this is being applied you may feel tingling or mild to moderate burning, redness, warmth and itching, but remember we have fan and this will calm down in a few minutes. The next and final step is the Vitalize Retinol Solution, this may leave the skin with a yellowish tinge, this is normal, and it is vital to keep this on as long as possible, at least 8 hours before washing the face.
What to expect during your post peel is different with each peel. With the Illuminize Peel for the first 24 hours your skin may appear slightly redder than usual. The next day to 4 days after the peel your skin should look normal, occasionally there maybe some minor flaking for a few days. With the Vitalize Peel for the first 24 hours skin may be tight and more red than usual, it may feel a little tacky and have a yellowish tinge, remember do not wash for at least 8 hours after application. The next day and until the peeling is complete your skin may feel tight. Peeling generally starts between 48-72 hours after the procedure and can last up to 7 days once you start to peel. It is very important that you do not pick or pull at the skin that is peeling and make sure you schedule a peel at least 2 weeks before a big event! For the 7 to 10 days of your peel it is best that you follow these skin care recommendations. In the morning use a gentle cleanser, moisturize and use a sunscreen and at night use a gentle cleanser and moisturize!!! Once you start peeling you can use moisturizer as often as needed to control the peeling. We have some great products we can show you at your appointment that are perfect to use during this time. Microdermabrasion is a procedure that is used to exfoliate the skin by removing the aged dull skin to stimulate cell renewal. The Microdermabrasion machine uses a specially designed hand piece to exfoliate, and a vacuum to remove the dry skin. Anyone who wants to improve the appearance and texture of the skin would love a microdermabrasion treatment. Unfortunately it is not good for those who have rosacea or active weeping acne and those who have been on Accutane need to wait a year after completion before having this treatment done. Before you have a Microdermabrasion it is recommended that you stop using products that contain retinols, hydroquinone or glycolic acids 48 hours before treatment. For best results it is best to do multiple treatments, that can be done 10-14 days apart, but your skin will feel softer and smoother after the first treatment. The microdermabrasion treatment takes about 30 minutes in order to cleanse the skin before the treatment and hydrate it afterwards. Although it is not painful, immediately after you may be a little red and sensitive, this will subside in a few hours. You can go back to using your products with retinol, hydroquinone or glycolic acids 24 hours after treatment. Please be sure to wear your sunscreen, although you should be wearing it every day, as your skin is a little more sensitive to the sun due to the exfoliation.
The combination of a Microdermabrasion and Illuminize peel provides the ultimate treatment of both physical and chemical exfoliation. You complexion will appear cleaner and brighter, revealing smooth and rejuvenated skin.
Now that you know what each treatment is and what to expect, call us today to make an appointment so you can reveal a healthier, more radiant and youthful appearance!