How to Make the Most of Your Chemical Peel Treatment
From Botox to dermal fillers, it seems like there is a never-ending list of not-so-secret celebrity treatment options to turn back the clock on aging. Short of actually finding the mythical fountain of youth, chemical peels have become a tried and true secret to incredible skin.
If you’ve never gotten a chemical peel, those words can sound intimidating at first. However, dermatologists – and anyone who has actually gotten one – swear by it as an easy and cost-effective way to improve the appearance of your skin.
Whether you’re looking to alleviate a medical issue like rosacea, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, or simply want to give your skin a little refresher, there are plenty of reasons why so many specialists are recommending chemical peels for a wide variety of common skin problems.
So What Is A Chemical Peel, Anyway?
Chemical peels are designed to treat the effects of aging and exposure to the elements, giving you a more even skin tone with a smoother texture. A peel works best for issues that affect the outermost layers of skin, such as:
Fine lines and wrinkles (laugh lines, smile lines etc.)
Sunspots, freckles, mild pigmentation and age spots
Mild scarring
Red and irritated skin (rosacea)
Chemical peels can also be used to improve the overall look and feel of skin.
A gentle chemical solution is applied to the problem area, which gently loosens and removes the older, damaged layers of skin. This leaves you with a fresh, healthy glow with next to no fuss!
A peel can be performed on the face, neck, and hands. How deeply the peel penetrates depends on how aggressive your treatment will be – for example, a superficial peel would use a mild formula that only reaches the top layers of skin. Medium and deep peels would use a stronger solution to penetrate deeper and alleviate more persistent problems.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?
If you have fair skin and light hair, good news! You’re an ideal candidate for a chemical peel! The risk of discolouration is a little higher for those with darker complexions, but that’s not always the case. Ultimately it depends on your skin type and medical history – you’ll be able to discuss this with your aesthetician during your initial consultation and they will let you know whether a chemical peel is right for you.
Problems that affect the deeper layers of your skin such as skin sags, bulges, and severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. If you decide that a chemical peel isn’t for you, you may instead benefit from alternative cosmetic procedures such as laser resurfacing or soft tissue fillers like Botox or Juvederm.
What to Expect: Before, During and After Your Chemical Peel
How to Prepare for a Chemical Peel
You may be thinking ‘this sounds great! Now what?’ If the idea of a chemical peel piques your interest, there are a few things you should do to properly prepare for your appointment. Not only will you see better results, but by prepping your skin for the procedure, you’ll heal faster with fewer side effects! Before your chemical peel, remember to:
Hold off on exfoliating for at least a week!
Stop using anti-aging (especially retinols) or anti-acne medications for at least 30 days
Stay hydrated and don’t use products that might dry out your skin
Avoid booking your peel within 24 hours of an important event
During Your Appointment
One of the biggest perks of a chemical peel is that all in all, the process is quick and easy. Depending on the size of the area being treated and the problem you’re addressing, a single treatment can be as quick as 10 minutes. To put things in perspective, a full-face chemical peel usually takes around 30 minutes. This is why chemical peels are such a popular “lunch hour” procedure!
The biggest question you’re probably asking is whether it will hurt. It varies from person to person; however, technology has come a long way since chemical peels first came into popularity. Expect a certain level of discomfort, especially if you’re getting a more aggressive treatment, but you’ll be surprised at how comfortable the treatments are these days!
Recovery and Results
We know what you’re thinking – you’ve heard the horror stories. You’ve seen the post-peel photos that look like they came right out of a horror movie. The recovery process for a chemical peel has become somewhat infamous, but this rarely happens after a good peel anymore.
In most cases, you’ll walk out of your appointment ready to go straight back to work. The only visible signs that you’ve just had a chemical peel will be your skin’s radiant glow. We’re not kidding – you’ll probably be able to notice some pretty serious improvements right away.
The recovery period for a chemical peel is generally very short and requires almost no downtime. Depending on the type of peel you choose, you may experience some mild peeling. This usually disappears after a week or two but remember that just because your skin looks great doesn’t mean it’s fully healed! It would be a good idea to stay off the beach for at least 30 days, and if sun exposure is unavoidable, keep a bottle of SPF 30 sunscreen handy.
You will likely begin to notice results almost immediately, but with a little patience and the proper aftercare, it will only get better! The best results usually show after five to seven days and can last for up to a year with a little maintenance.
How Many Chemical Peel Treatments Will I Need?
If you’re simply looking for a refresher, one treatment may be plenty to achieve the results you want. For more aggressive problems, you may need to go back three to six times. In order to let your skin heal completely between sessions, book your appointments four to six weeks apart.
It probably goes without saying, but the more aggressive the treatment, the more appointments you will need. In these cases, you’ll probably want to give yourself a little more time to heal between treatments. You may decide to go back in for touch-up treatments every now and again to keep things looking fresh.
Chemical Peel Aftercare Tips:
There are also several aftercare dos and don’ts that can either improve or slow down the healing process. Failing to take proper care of your skin after a chemical peel can cause irritation and even infection. Your aesthetician will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions during your appointment. These may include:
Avoid Overheating the Skin
During the healing process, it’s important to keep the skin cool. Hot water touching your face, as well as excessive sweating or overheating, can cause hyperpigmentation. Avoid working out and taking hot showers and remember not to crank the thermostat!
Moisturize
Your skin will be a little on the sensitive side for a week or two after your chemical peel. During this time, it’s important to avoid harsh or scented skincare and makeup products. You should also avoid cleansers containing exfoliants. Instead, use gentle and unscented cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens.
When applying the moisturizer to the skin, take care not to rub it in too aggressively. Gently apply a thick layer of moisturizer multiple times throughout the day, as needed. You’ll be able to return to your regular skincare regimen once the healing process is complete, within a week or two of receiving the peel.
Be Gentle with Your Skin
Essentially, a chemical peel “sloughs” off the damaged skin. When the dead skin starts to shed, avoid touching, picking, or scratching it with your fingers. Let it fall off naturally to avoid scarring, discolouration, and irritation.
Apply a Good Sunscreen with a High SPF
After shedding layers of damaged skin with a chemical peel, it will be replaced with new, vulnerable skin that needs to be protected from exposure to the sun. We recommend avoiding direct sunlight for at least 30 days following your chemical peel. If you need to go out in the sun, be sure to apply a thick layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Keep Your Hair Off Your Face
Your hair tends to be oily, which can cause breakouts – especially on fresh, vulnerable skin. If you have long hair, try tying it back with a hairband or elastic to allow the skin to go through its natural healing process undisturbed. This also keeps you from accidentally touching your skin while brushing back stray hairs. Touching the skin with dirty fingers and hands can also lead to breakouts.
If breakouts do occur, leave them alone! Don’t use any sort of harsh cleanser or acne medication. Instead, have your aesthetician treat them for you.
Avoid Removing Dry, Peeling Skin
As intense as the urge may be, do not pick at any dry, dead skin if you peel during the healing process. This includes all facial scrubs, acids, and Sonic Cleansing Brushes. Don’t worry, the peeling process usually only lasts about a week in total.
Conclusion
Chemical peels are a simple, inexpensive skin treatment that offers a variety of benefits. Done properly, they are a great way to reduce the effects of aging, sun damage, and even certain medical conditions. Who needs a fountain of youth? If you still have questions, book a consultation with your local aesthetician to find out if a chemical peel is right for you.