TARGETED TREATMENTS TO REVEAL SMOOTHER, HEALTHIER SKIN

WHAT ARE CHEMICAL PEELS?

Administered by skincare professionals, chemical peels work by exfoliating the skin’s surface to reduce the appearance of blemishes, smooth skin texture, improve radiance, and restore skin health. These effective treatments can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, or legs. They are most effective at enhancing cell turnover and improving the appearance on the surface of the skin.

During the treatment, your skincare professional will apply one or more layers of a chemical peel solution onto skin for a specified amount of time. This is dependent on the type of chemical peel used, the concentration of the solution, skin type, and skin’s reactivity to the treatment. While some peels are self-neutralizing, most formulas need to be neutralized with a buffering solution or water upon completion of the treatment. The goal is to create a controlled, safe injury to the skin, thereby prompting skin to naturally repair itself and reveal newer, brighter skin.

It is important that chemical peels are performed by a licensed skincare professional with access to high-performing peel solutions that are clinically proven to deliver results. Your skincare professional may also recommend advanced homecare products to precondition skin or extend results.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A CHEMICAL PEEL?

A chemical peel (also known as an exfoliating peel) is a targeted exfoliating treatment, which uses acids to help expedite the skin’s natural cellular turnover process to reveal smoother, healthier skin. Benefits of chemical peels include the reduction of fine to moderate lines and wrinkles, enhancing skin tone and texture, minimizing sun damage and hyperpigmentation, diminishing the appearance of acne scars, and preventing further breakouts and congestion. Types of chemical peels will vary depending on specific skin concerns, resulting in different formulations and concentrations, such as chemical peels for acne to treat acne scarring and chemical peels for aging skin which fade the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

WHO ARE CHEMICAL PEELS FOR?

The depth and type of chemical peel used by a skincare professional depends on the condition of the skin, the skin’s Fitzpatrick type (skin color and likelihood to burn), and the skincare habits of the client. In general, the higher the Fitzpatrick skin type, the more caution should be exercised to avoid triggering a pigment response. For extremely sensitive skin and skin experiencing barrier dysfunction (exzema, psiorisis, etc), chemical peels are generally not recommended.

HOW DO CHEMICAL PEELS WORK?

Chemical peels improve the texture and appearance of the skin by sloughing off the outer layers of the skin. They are effective facial treatments for improving blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin tone. During the treatment, a pre-determined quantity of the peel solution is applied to the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, or legs. This solution works by reacting with the upper layer of the skin to efficiently dissolve the bonds that bind surface cells to the skin, ultimately revealing smoother, healthier skin underneath. The follicular action of a chemical far outweighs the effect of an exfoliating scrub or brush. Best of all, chemical peels are appropriate for nearly everyone. It is a matter of knowing which chemical is best for your skin type and concerns.

Chemical acids are further broken down by the pH of the formulation (the lower the pH, the stronger the acid) and the size of the molecule itself. For example, a 20% concentration of glycolic acid at a pH of 3 will be stronger than the same formulation of lactic acid because the glycolic molecule is much smaller and better able to penetrate the skin’s barrier.

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