What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is an acid solution that is applied to the skin. It dissolves the outermost layer of skin cells, which then peels off over the following days to reveal the fresher, younger layer below. Peels are very effective in treating a large range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving skin brightness, and evening skin tone. Peels can be light, moderate, or deep. Light peels require no downtime from work and your normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two, and deep peels can require a week or more of downtime to allow the skin to fully heal.
How do I prepare for a Chemical Peel treatment?
Most skin colors and types can benefit from chemical peels, though it is best to check with your esthetician about which peel might be right for you. If you’re taking acne medication, Retin-A or Accutane, talk to your esthetician and/or doctor about stopping the medication before and during treatment to avoid complications. Your esthetician can review any other contraindications with you prior to your treatment to determine if a chemical peel is right for you. Be sure to answer all questions honestly and completely on your consultation form prior to your peel.
What can I expect during a Chemical Peel treatment?
The skin is cleansed, and a prep solution will be applied to remove surface oils and allow the peel to penetrate the skin. One or more chemical mixtures will be applied, such as glycolic acid (from sugar cane), trichloroacetic acid (similar to bleach), salicylic acid (wintergreen—good for acne), lactic acid (from milk), or a combination peel called a Jessners peel. The peel will be applied in 1–3 layers, depending on the depth of penetration intended. The acids react with the skin to produce a “controlled wound,” allowing fresh skin to regenerate and emerge. A tingling, burning, or hot sensation is normal. Most peels remain on the skin for only a few minutes and are closely watched by the esthetician. A fan may help you stay more comfortable. After some peels, a neutralizing solution is applied to stop the peel. Other peels are self-timed and stop on their own.
What can I expect after a Chemical Peel treatment?
After most peels, the skin will be pink to red and look shiny and tight. It is vital to apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater to the skin for the next 48 hours, minimum. You must also stay out of the sun, as your skin will be very sensitive to UV rays and could be damaged by sun exposure. The skin will begin to flake or peel within 2–3 days after the treatment unless you had a lactic acid peel—these encourage moisture retention and may not produce any actual peeling. Sun-damaged areas of your skin will appear darker at first, then will lighten. This is normal. Deeper peels can produce peeling for a week or more. To assist in removing the flaking skin, an enzyme peel or light microdermabrasion treatment is sometimes scheduled a week or so after the initial peel. A series of peels is usually recommended for maximum results and may be necessary for treating challenging issues such as hyperpigmentation.
Home care after a Chemical Peel treatment
Your esthetician will recommend healing products to use for a week or two following your peel. These will soothe and nourish your skin and aid in its recovery. Usually, it is best to avoid makeup during this time to allow the skin to heal and function without interference. However, if you must wear makeup, mineral makeup will not adversely affect the skin.
What is microdermabrasion and how will I benefit from it?
Microdermabrasion is a method of exfoliation that uses a machine to remove dead surface skin cells and initiate cellular turnover. It was first adopted in Europe in the 1980s and was introduced to the United States in the late 1990s. Its introduction led to the revolution of device-driven, noninvasive cosmetic procedures.
The two most common methods are crystal and diamond. The crystal method uses a wand that sprays fine crystals onto the skin, loosening and removing dead skin cells while simultaneously using vacuum suction to remove the used crystals and dead skin. It has been compared to a mild “sandblasting” of the skin. The diamond method uses a diamond-tipped wand to sand and resurface the skin, combined with suction to remove the dead skin cells. Both methods stimulate blood circulation and revitalize collagen production, which promotes younger-looking skin. The degree of exfoliation depends on the number of passes, level of crystal spray or coarseness of the diamond wand, the pressure and suction used, and the frequency of treatment.
Microdermabrasion can help treat aging, sun-damaged skin, altered pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, and some types of acne. It can also aid with acne scarring, skin tone, reducing visual appearance of aging, fewer breakouts, diminished appearance of scars, refined skin pores, renewed elasticity, and a healthy skin glow. It is especially effective in treating the under-eye area and crow’s feet. Microdermabrasion may be recommended for those with chemical sensitivities and can be used on most skin colors and types, although there are some contraindications. Ask your skin care professional if microdermabrasion is right for you.
How do I prepare for a microdermabrasion session?
The procedure is noninvasive and requires little preparation. You may remove your makeup and come to the treatment room with a clean face, or allow your skin care professional to remove your makeup for you.
What can I expect during a microdermabrasion session?
Most clients do not find the procedure to be painful, and it requires no anesthetic. The esthetician will instruct you to relax as she applies the wand to your face in a slow, methodical way. One microdermabrasion treatment should take 30 minutes to an hour. There are no side effects, and your skin will look glowing and fresh almost immediately after the treatment. Some more aggressive treatments may cause the skin to look slightly pink and tender for a few hours afterward. You can resume normal activities and apply makeup and moisturizer directly after your microdermabrasion session.
Home care after a microdermabrasion session
Because fresh skin has been newly exposed, applying sunscreen and avoiding direct sunlight and tanning booths after your session is vital. Also, avoid products containing harsh chemicals, dyes, or perfumes until the skin has fully healed. Your skin care professional will explain the home care regimen that is right for you.
What are Age Management treatments?
Thanks to the wonders of science and innovation by skin care professionals, you can choose from a wide range of Aging treatments. You need not have wrinkles or discoloration to actively participate in aging regime—many smart consumers begin caring for and protecting their skin at a young age.
Consumers today are opting for minimally-invasive procedures to avoid downtime and the unmistakable appearance of having had surgery. After treatments with your skin care professional, people may notice that you simply seem healthier, happier, less tired, and more confident.
Your skin care professional may be able to provide a wide variety of facials such as microdermabrasion, chemical exfoliation, oxygen infusion treatment, micro-needling, and exposure to light-emitting diodes (LED Light Therapy).
Who can benefit from Age Management treatments?
Anyone who is smart enough to use sunscreen is already participating in an anti-aging regimen, and there is so much more you can do. Treatment recommendations will vary according to skin type and condition, chronological age and skin maturity, level of sun damage (everyone has some), and the goals you have for your skin. Your esthetician can outline your options and make recommendations.
How should I prepare for an Age Management treatment?
Be ready to fill out a medical questionnaire and describe what medications and skin care products you are using. Your therapist will do an analysis of your skin, look for any interactions between products and medications, and devise a treatment plan that’s suitable for your skin type and condition. If possible, come to your appointment without anything on your skin; otherwise your skin care professional will cleanse your skin. Start your care when you are ready to commit to a series of treatments and a home care regimen.
What can I expect from an Age Management treatment?
The results of your treatment may be obvious right away or may take some time to achieve. This depends entirely on your program and the methods used. Your skin care professional should be able to outline realistic goals for you. In some cases, skin is in poor condition and needs to be strengthened and conditioned before anti-aging treatments can be performed. If you are suffering from acne, dermatitis, or rosacea, you may have to set your anti-aging goals aside until you’ve cleared those symptoms. The good news is you may gain younger-looking skin as a side benefit of clearing and treating these conditions.
Home care for Age Management treatments
Your esthetician can provide the best guidance on caring for your skin after a treatment. They may have products available for your use. It’s key to commit to a home care regimen in order to maximize your investment in the treatments your esthetician provides.
What causes acne? How can skincare treatments help?
Acne is the most common skin disorder, and 85 percent of all Americans will experience it sometime in their lifetime. While commonly thought to be an adolescent problem, it can appear at any age, most often on the face, back, and chest.
The causes of acne are complex but usually involve:
- The overproduction of oil.
- The blockage of follicles that release the oil.
- The growth of bacteria in those follicles.
- This can be triggered by many things, including a change in medications or a change in hormone levels caused by stress or other factors. It’s important to treat acne early to avoid scarring.
There are four grades of acne.
Grade 1 is the mildest form, with open and closed comedones (whiteheads and blackheads).
Grades 2 and 3 include papules and pustules as well.
Grade 4 is the most advanced form, with all the above plus the appearance of cysts or nodules beneath the skin surface that can be dime size or larger and often require medical attention to treat.
Acne is not only painful but can be very emotionally and psychologically challenging as well.
Who can benefit from acne treatment?
Anyone who has acne can benefit from treatment. Acne sufferers often state their quality of life and self-esteem improve dramatically once their acne is alleviated. If you are seeking a licensed esthetician’s care, chances are you’ve already tried over-the-counter preparations with disappointing results. Depending on the grade of your acne, your esthetician will go over the treatment options that would be the most successful for you. If you have Grade 4 acne, your esthetician will refer you to a dermatologist who can treat it medically. Once your acne is under control and improving, your esthetician can suggest treatments that will assist you in accelerating the healing process and relieving pigmentation, which often accompanies acne.
Visiting your esthetician for acne treatment
Be ready to fill out a medical questionnaire and describe what medications and skin care products you are using. Your therapist will do an analysis of your skin, look for any interactions between products and medications, and devise a treatment plan that’s suitable for your unique needs. Keep in mind that results require a commitment on your behalf to follow a prescribed home care and professional treatment program. This often involves a series of professional treatments. It takes time to balance the skin and treat acne. Though results may not happen overnight, you are on the path to reclaiming your beautiful, clear skin!
What should I expect from my acne treatment?
You should expect regularly scheduled treatments. Your treatment program may begin with an acne facial. This may include deep cleansing and extractions (clearing blocked pores), special exfoliation that will not increase inflammation or spread bacteria, a balancing/calming mask, anti-bacterial and balancing products, or some combination of these. The goal is to deeply cleanse follicles and disinfect them, clearing away oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
Your esthetician may also recommend a series of chemical peels. Once the active acne is cleared, microdermabrasion will assist in minimizing the appearance of scarring and diminishing residual darkening of the skin (hyper-pigmentation).
Home care for acne treatment
Your esthetician can provide the best guidance on caring for your skin between treatments. Generally, this will involve keeping your skin clean and avoiding picking at your blemishes—the single biggest cause of scarring. It’s very important you follow instructions given to you by your esthetician. Untreated or under-treated acne can lead to continuing, worsening outbreaks and scarring. Your esthetician will be in close contact with you to be sure your products are working effectively for you. As your treatment progresses, your esthetician may change your home care routine to fit your changing skin’s needs.
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Whether you are ready to invest in yourself through self-care or you want to try out our cutting-edge treatments, book an appointment today!