Skin Peels can often be daunting for clients who have not experienced them before. Many people ask if they’ll be left looking like Samantha from the infamous Sex and the City scene and I can happily confirm, that will NOT be the case.
Different skin types and concerns will require different acids (another buzzword that makes people panic, we cover that later!) for treatments. Some require absolutely no downtime at all and others will encourage the skin to shed more intensely.
The right option for you and your complexion is always discussed fully in an initial consultation where I explain all the relevant information and ensure you’re fully prepped for the appointment.
Myth 1 – There will be significant recovery time
Truth
As explained above, Skin Peels come in varying strengths. A few years ago, intense peels with significant recovery time were much more common for complex skin conditions. As science and the skincare industry have developed, this is no longer the case.
The Aesthetics at Home AHA/BHA Skin Resurfacers cause little to no visible downtime. The slightly stronger TCA or Modified Jessner formulas will cause some visible exfoliation and redness, but this is completely safe and manageable. Conducting a series of Skin Peels can give you the results of one very deep one, without the need for serious downtime.
Myth 2 – You can buy Skin Peels over the counter and conduct the treatments yourself
Truth
As the skincare industry grows, more acidic based products are now available to purchase on the high street. However the minimal levels of these active ingredients will cause little more than a light exfoliation and are therefore safe for use.
If you happen to stumble across a Skin/Chemical Peel available to buy online without any qualifications or knowledge of how to use them, please be very wary! Over the years we’ve had to work with many people trying to repair the damage caused by unregulated products. They can lead to permanent damage and scarring and should be avoided at all costs.
A full consultation with a professional should always be conducted before any form of treatment to ensure we have a full medical history and that you’re a suitable candidate. Your complexion should also be fully prepped before, after and during your treatment for optimum safety.
Myth 3 – Skin Peels are a one-time solution
Truth
I always compare your skincare and skin treatments to diet and exercise. If you only ate fast food but went to the gym everyday, you’d get limited results. It’s exactly the same as applying your skincare everyday and only going for one skin treatment…the outcome would be stunted.
Skin Peels are designed to improve the appearance of concerns on the surface of your complexion. To do this, we need to target the lower layers of your skin where the action is happening. This allows us to stimulate collagen and elastin for anti-aging purposes, the melanocytes for pigmentation disorders and the sebaceous glands for acne. This simply cannot be done in one appointment and therefore a course is always highly recommended to achieve your goals.
Myth 4 - Chemicals are bad for you
Truth
No, not all chemicals are bad. Anything manufactured by a chemist is a chemical so you’ll find them everywhere. Just the word chemical harbours negative connotations, however the chemicals in Skin Peels are actually quite natural! Glycolic is derived from sugar cane, Salicylic comes from wintergreen and Lactic comes from sour milk. All of these products are perfectly safe for the skin as long as there are no possible contraindications (reasons a client may not be suitable). ‘Acid’ is another word that makes people uncomfortable as it’s linked to substances that may cause burns etc. In fact, some of the least irritating, most healing products for the skin are acids, just like Hyaluronic Acid!
Myth 5 – Skin Peels are only for problematic skin
Truth
This is not necessarily the case, as even sensitive skin types react well to this form of treatment! Our natural skin cycle takes between 3-4 weeks in which time the very superficial layer dies. By removing it with gentle acids like Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic you can stimulate cell turnover and promote healthy cell growth. These treatments combined with a decent skincare routine at home will help to slow the aging process and ensure a youthful, radiant complexion.
Please feel free to send any further questions and I’ll happily sort the myths from the truths for you. All information is covered in an initial 1:1 consultation as well.
Amy x
Comments