Urban You Edu: Chemical Peels
What do chemical peels do?
Chemical peels exfoliate dead skin which promotes new skin cell growth. Peels can also make your skin care products work better. When the layer of dead skin is removed from your face, your skin care products are able to absorb into your skin without dead skin cells impeding their penetration.
How much will I shed after a chemical peel?
There are a couple things that might determine how much you peel:
This before (top) and after (bottom) photo is 5 weeks apart from each other. These are real results for Urban You customers. Medical Aesthetician: Briana Tobias.
Depending on the level of your peel will depend on how much your skin peels off.
Those who exfoliate on a regular basis might not see visible peeling and might just have slight shedding.
PCA formulations have been changed to be more gentle so instead of peeling off in larger pieces, the shedding process will be more of flaking off. The reason this is so great is because you won’t feel like you have to hide in your house until the peeling is over with.
Why might you want a chemical peel?
Chemical peels help your skin in a lot of ways.
They reverse signs of aging by lessening the appearance of wrinkles, aiding textural issues, and mild hyper-pigmentation. Peels remove dead skin cells which promotes skin cell turnover, which means smoother, brighter skin.
They treat acne and acne scars. Peels containing salicylic acid and lactic acids are most commonly used to treat acne while Alpha-hydroxy and glycolic peels are also safe and effective. Peels containing any of these acids will exfoliate the dead skin, thus unclogging pores and gently relieving inflammation.
Reduces appearance of pores. When your pores are cleared out they’re able to shrink down and are less visible.
How often can you get chemical peels?
It takes your skin cells 28 days to regenerate. Therefore, you shouldn’t do any other exfoliation facials for 28 days after your last peel (dermaplaning included). Some people get chemical peels are a service people get every couple months or each season.
What’s happening during a chemical peel?
As the top layer of skin is shed, it signals to living cells below to multiply and move up to increase collagen production, to make more hyaluronic acid.
What are the different acids that are in chemical peels?
Whatever acids are in your peel will depend on which one you choose. As mentioned, PCA Peels are customizable and you can choose from
*Note* Salicylic Acid Peels dive into the skin and unclog pores while skimming the surface to clean out blackheads and fade post-pimple scars. An added advantage is that salicylic acid lingers in the pores, where it continues to clear out over time.
How long does it take to get a peel?
After about a week you’ll notice all the dead skin has shed off and you’re left with new, soft skin!
How many peels do you need to see results?
Most people see a difference after one facial! Depending on what your skincare goals are will determine how many peels you’ll need. For example, if you want to reduce redness or fine lines you might see your desired result after 1-2 chemical peels. If your goal is to reduce brown spots or acne scars, you might need a 3 or 4 to start to achieve the look you desire.
What is the after care for when you get a chemical peel?
Recovery times for peels will vary on the type and strength of your peel. After you peel, your skin may feel tight and may have redness. Using moisturizer, you can help control any visible peeling which should be fairly light. Peeling generally last 3-5 days, once again depending on peel type and strength.
You will want to ensure you are using gentle cleansers and moisturizers. It is very important to wear sunblock. Strenuous exercise and heavy sweating should be avoided for 2-3 days, and excessive sun exposure should be avoided as well. Do not pick or peel the skin that is peeling or else you may risk scarring your skin.
How many different peels does Urban You have?
We have chemical peels by Dr. Dennis Gross, SkinMedica, and PCA Peels. For the best results, you’re going to want to go with the PCA Peel. The PCA Peel is fully customizable and you can have up to 5 acids, whereas Dr. Dennis Gross and SkinMedica chemical peels aren’t customizable and there are only 2 acids per facial.
Using low percentages of multiple acids gives a better outcome with less irritation than a single acid at a higher strength.
Thinking about getting a chemical peel?! We recommend scheduling scheduling a consultation!
We recommend setting up a consultation before an appointment so our medical spa aestheticians can get to know you AND your skin. You can use this appointment to address any skin concerns you have. If you bring your skin care with you to the appointment, we can offer suggestions for which products you should continue to use and which ones might be doing you more harm.