Facial Peels Frequently Asked Questions
A chemical peel is a treatment used to improve skin texture and tone. An acid is applied to the skin to lower the PH which loosens the connections between the dead skin cells, inducing exfoliation and stimulation new cell growth. This process causes superficial layers of dead skin to peel off, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion. Chemical peels can also thicken the epidermis, increase dermal volume, and stimulate collagen.
What can I expect after a chemical peel?
The skin is initially tender and more sun-sensitive as the epidermis renes itself. After the peeling takes its course (usually 3-5 days after the treatment) fresh new skin emerges and ingredients in-home care products start to work more effectively. You may expect to peel throughout the complete treated area. But post-treatment peeling I often similar to peeling after a tan. In some cases, it is not apparent to the naked eye because it is occurring on a cellular level. The exfoliation you will experience varies depending on the peel strength and the individual skin profile. AlumierMD chemical peels are light-medium depth and are formulated to reduce irritation and redness.
How Are Chemical Peels Classified?
Chemical peels are classified as light (superficial) medium or deep depending on the depth of penetration of the ingredients used. Light peels exfoliate to various levels of the epidermis. Medium-depth peels treat through the papillary dermis and deep peels to the mid-reticular dermis. Deeper peels require more downtime and increase the chance of side effects, which included photosensitivity, pigment changes and scarring.
Why Should Beneficial Ingredients be applied Post-Peel and not within the Peel solution?
Most beneficial ingredients for the skin tend to degrade and denature when placed in the low PH of chemical peel formulations. AlumierMD peels use only the pure acids: antiaging, antioxidant and brightening booster ingredients are applied post-peel in the Brightening Accelerator. Since peels remove the outer dead layers of the stratum corneum, the booster ingredients are better absorbed when applies pot-pee.
On what areas of the body are chemical peels used?
Chemical peels are usually performed on the face, but may also be used on the neck, décolleté and hands
How can Chemical Peels benefit the skin?
Peel treatments improve skin texture and firmness, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. Peels also even out skin tone, improve acne-prone skin and reduce pore size appearance.
What are common peeling agents?
Some common peeling ingredients include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) ad retinol. AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and mandelic acid. Salicylic acid is the only BHA. The strength of the chemical peel is determined by the type of ingredients used, their concentration and the PH of the formulation.
Not all peels are created equally, and one peel type does not suit all. Certain ingredients may be more effective for treating acne, while others may be more successful in treating hyperpigmentation or the signs of aging.
Peel Ingredients
ENZYMES
Like a chemical peel, an enzyme peel is also a treatment sued to improve skin texture and appearance. Enzymes are applied to the skin, which loosens the connections between dead skin cells, including exfoliation and stimulating new cell growth. The process causes superficial layers of dead skin to peel off, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion. Enzyme peels both nourish and exfoliate the skin and are usually made with fruit enzymes. The most popular fruit enzyme is papain found in papayas, bromelain found in pineapples.
ACIDS
BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acid) Salicylic Acid
Related to Aspirin, salicylic acid is an exfoliant with anti-inflammatory properties. It is oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate into the follicles to effectively exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, control acne pimples and smooth skin.
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid)
A group of water-soluble carboxylic acids that work on the desmosomes are sometimes referred to as the “glue” that holds the skin cells together. In the epidermis, AHAs enhance exfoliation and stimulate cellular turnover. In the dermis, AHAs with greater bioavailability also have been shown to stimulate collagen and elastin production as well and increase skin thickness, which leads to firmer skin.
Glycolic Acid
Naturally found in sugar cane, glycolic acid has a owe molecular weight, so it penetrates rapidly into the skin.
Lactic Acid
Naturally found in milk but biosynthesized to cosmetic formulations, lactic acid has a larger molecular weight than other AHAs, which reduces the change of skin inflammation.
RETINOIDS
Vitamin A derivatives stimulate collagen, increase cell turnover and normalize keratinization, creating smoother and more even-toned skin. Retinoids also inhibit melanin transfer from melanocytes to skin cells and enhance the penetration of other pigment-blocking products. Retinoids reduce fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. In addition, retinoids target acne-prone skin by unclogging pores. There are more than 700 published studies on anti-aging retinoids.