Is a chemical peel treatment safe?
Is a chemical peel treatment safe? The short answer is, YES!
What is a chemical peel and what can you expect from it?
A chemical peel is a procedure where a licensed professional applies an acid solution to your skin to remove the upper layers of damaged skin, speeding up the process of skin renewal and regrowth.
Our skin renews itself every 21 to 28 days, up until approximately age of 28. But as we age, this process slows down to approximately every 45 to 60 days. This is why when you receive a professional exfoliating treatment your skin glows. A chemical peel treatment is going to remove the surface dead skin cells and dullness revealing fresh baby cells.
Chemical peel solutions are formulated in a variety of blends and strengths ranging from very super superficial, superficial, medium depth to deep depth. And this is where I think there's a disconnect in aesthetics. I see this all the time, a client comes in and they have unfortunately had a bad experience with a chemical peel treatment in the past, so they're totally turned off by it, which I understand. But what's hapening is providers knowing the benefits of a chemical peel, want to give clients a great treatment with great results, but maybe they're not taking other factors into considerstion.
Chemical peels transform the skin incredibly when done correctly! There is a period of conditioning, and prepping the skin before a chemical peel treatment. I personally would never ever perform a chemical peel treatment on someone I've never met before and haven't worked on their skin. Imagine running a marathon without training! If a chemical peel treatment is done too deep, too fast without prepping the skin, there can be complications.
What are some of the enefits of a chemical peel treatment?
Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
Improve the appearance of sun spots
Reduce mild scarring
Reduces the reoccurrence of acne breakouts
What can you expect after a chemical peel treatment?
Wearing SPF of 30 or 50 is important all year round. But specially after a chemical peel treatment, the new layers of skin beginning to be exposed need the support of a customized skincare regimen more than ever, along with sunscreen protection, as they will be more "vulnerable" if you will.
Avoid any and all forms of heat; hot water, direct sun exposure, sauna, etc. Vigorous exercise and stimulation for about 24 to 48 hours after a chemical peel treatment depending on the depth of the treatment you received.
Avoid pulling on the dry skin.
Chemical peel treatments can cause peeling and flaking. And that is a side effect and it does not determine the efficacy of the treatment. Sometimes people think if they didn't peel or flake that the treatment wasn't done correctly or it wasn't effective. That is incorrect.
Are there any contraindications for a chemical peel treatment?
Dermatitis
Eczema
Psoriasis
An open wound/scab or an unidentified skin lesion
On accutane within the last six months
Recent sun exposure and or a sunburn
If you're going to be exposed to extreme tempreatures of hot or cold within the next couple of days
Fall and winter are ideal times of year for chemical peel treatments but remember your skin needs to be conditioned and prepped first!
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