Don't Fear a Chemical Peel

So you think you want to do a chemical peel, but you're afraid to try it?

This is what you need to know so you can ask the right questions, and make sure you get the right peel for your skin type and skin problem.

How are chemical peels categorized

Chemical peels are classified based on how deeply they injure the skin cells (i.e. how deep the peeling agents are absorbed into your skin). This correlates to what level the skin cells eventually die and slough off, how much new collagen grows, and therefore the degree of improvement of your wrinkles, acne scarring, or sun damage.

• very superficial: affects the upper most layers of the epidermis. Skin mildly red. No down time. Minimal skin sloughing

• superficial: affects to the upper and mid epidermis. Skin mildly red for 1-2 days. Light skin peeling for 5-7 days. The skin will peel but still minimal downtime during that skin peeling process.

• medium: affects to the lower epidermis and dermal-epidermal junction. Skin is quite red for several days, and more intense peeling for 7-10 days. Requires some time off.

• deep: affects to the upper dermis. Skin is very red, raw. Requires several days recovery. These types of peels not done as commonly as carry a much higher risk of scarring.

Chemical Peels:

The Perfect 10 Peel is a medical grade blended chemical peel we use at Evolution Medical Spa. This type of peel reflects how chemical peels have advanced over time. Some medical spas use only one peeling ingredient at very high concentrations which injure and then rejuvenated the skin. In contrast, the Perfect 10 Peel blends several more natural chemical peeling ingredients, each at a lower concentration to achieve the same degree of skin rejuvenation.

This peel features "layered technology" where the blended active ingredients work together, additively, synergistically, to potentiate each other, optimizing the results. This technology is less caustic, safer, more predictable, customizable for specific skin problems and skin types, less uncomfortable, and faster to heal.

The Perfect 10 Peel we use is categorized as a superficial peel and affects the upper and mid epidermis which is great for all skin types.

Ingredients in the Perfect 10 Peel

The blended components of the Perfect 10 Peel include:

1. Salicylic Acid: breaks down dead skin cells, exfoliates, lightens discolorations

2. Glycolic Acid: sugar can/grapes-exfoliates, promotes new collagen growth

3. Lactic Acid: sour mild - gentle glycolic acid, skin brightener, exfoliant, hydrator

4. Mandelic Acid: bitter almonds - exfoliant, potentiates salicylic acid, reduces inflammation and redness

5. Tartaric Acid: white grapes, apples, pears - exfoliator, potentiates all of the above, tones skin

6. Resorcinol: removes rough, scaly skin so that better healing can occur

7. Pyruvic Acid: grapes, honey, apples, vinegar - skin brightener, potentiator, medium strength chemical peeling agent, promotes collagen growth

8. Azelaic Acid: wheat, barley, rye - skin brightener, moisturizer

9. Retinol: increases cell turnover, reduces melanin/pigment accumulations

10. Antioxidants: Green Tea, Reservetrol, Cucumber Extract, Bisabolol - soothes, calms, hydrates skin cells

Care of skin before a Peel

Pre-treatment skin care regimens would include:

• avoid being tan for the treatment

• plan to avoid excessive direct sun exposure for a week following the treatment

• use some form of both glycolic acid and retinol products to enhance the effects of the chemical peel. Consult with your aesthetician at Evolution Medical Spa regarding what would be appropriate and best for your skin type and skin condition

Does a Perfect 10 Chemical Peel hurt?

The entire process takes 30 minutes. The skin is prepared for the peel with a special cleansing routine to remove make-up, oil, and dead cellular debris which might limit the effect of the peel. The peel is applied over 5-10 minutes, then neutralized. A few final layers of post peel products are applied, and the treatment is complete.

During the chemical peel, some patients experience a mild to moderate stinging sensation. Initially there is heat sensation which builds over a few minutes to a mild to moderate discomfort level (5 out of 10). Then in 5 minutes, the peel is neutralized and the discomfort begins to resolve. Your skin is mildly red and has a layer of emollient on it when you leave the office.

Care of skin after a Chemical Peel

The skin usually feels tight for 1-2 days, then begins to peel on Day 3, and peels lightly for 5-10 days. Afterwards your skin feels and looks great. This is typically a no downtime procedure for most patients.

Skin care after the chemical peel includes:

• keep the skin moisturized with a bland emollient, applying a thin layer a few times a day. We recommend special healing ointments in our office

• avoid direct sun exposure

• wear a sunscreen

• avoid scratching, rubbing, aggressively washing, picking or pulling at flakes of skin, during the healing period

Chemical peels can help improve the following skin problems:

• sun damaged skin

• rough skin texture

• dull or uneven skin tone and texture

• brown spots

• fine lines and wrinkles

• acne scarring

• prominent pores

• dull skin (you want your skin brighter, more youthful)

Call Evolution Medical Spa at (855) 855-1772 to have more of your questions answered regarding this or other skin rejuvenation treatments we offer.