TREATMENT GUIDE | Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels at Artisan Skin Care

A comprehensive guide to getting the best results from your chemical peel.

CHEMICAL PEEL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why a chemical peel?
I love chemical peels, despite their intimidating name, because they are one of the best treatments for healing damaged skin tissue. Believe it or not, a chemical peel is actually similar to our body’s natural exfoliation process. In my opinion, it's a process that works with your body, not against it, and that's why peels work. Our body's natural exfoliation process (collagen production) slows down as we age, which affects how fast our skin heals itself. The faster your skin heals, the more healthier and youthful it will be. Chemical peels help stimulate your skin’s cellular memory and give your collagen production a boost, which results in a more youthful glow.

Who benefits? 
Clients with acne, acne scars, breakout marks, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, age spots, thick skin, oily skin, dry, flaky skin, and sensitive skin (and in some cases, clients with rosacea). 

How does a chemical peel work?
Peels work from the inside out. A chemical peel involves applying a safe chemical solution (acid) to the facial skin in order to exfoliate the outer layers of skin so that a clearer, more evenly pigmented, glowing layer of skin can shine through. Surface skin cells (dead cells) are like dried, wrinkled raisins while alive skin cells (collagen cells) are like hydrated, plump grapes. The dead skin cells are on the surface of the skin while the collagen cells live underneath the surface in the second layer of skin. Chemical peels break down and penetrates the dead skin cells (raisins) in order to encourage the collagen cells (grapes) to rise to the surface. So the post-peeling skin can be imagined as raisins flaking off so that beautiful plump grapes can emerge. That's how you achieve glowing, hydrated skin with a chemical peel. 

When and how often should I get a chemical peel?
Artisan Skin Care offers Chemical Peels from October to May. The peels vary by type and strength, so depending on your skin condition, you can do a peel as often as every one to six weeks. At the time of your first treatment I will advise you on the right frequency for your skin.

By adding a chemical peel series to your facial regimen you will achieve brighter, clearer, happier, healthier, and more hydrated, youthful skin.

PRE-PEEL GUIDELINES

  1. Inform your dermatologist if you’re on prescription RX  medications before your chemical peel / peel series.

  2. Stop all skin related topical / internal RX medications for 3 weeks (example: Retin A., Accutane, Tozaroc, and Differine) prior to peel. Stop all skin care products containing AHA's and Retinols for 1 week prior to your scheduled peel.

  3. No sun tanning / tanning bed exposure before a chemical peel. 

BOTTOM LINE: Hands off, protect your skin with SPF, use calming ingredients, and let the peel run its course. Plan on returning to the spa one week post-peel for a follow up visit.  Remember that this is a familiar, natural process. The body knows how and what to do to heal. Call or text Angie with photos, questions, or concerns: 774.212.1827.

POST-PEEL GUIDELINES

So you’ve just had a chemical peel and now you’re left with dry, irritated, red, peeling skin. All of these side effects are perfectly normal and common post-peel, but now what?

DO'S

  • Treat your skin gently. Think of your skin as a baby's delicate, new skin. No Clarisonic, washcloths, waxing, beards, abrasive tools / linens, RX medications or products (Differine, Tozaroc, Accutane, glycolic acids, salicylic acids, retinol or Retin A or harsh scrubs) for 7-10 days or until peeling stops.

  • Wear 30+ SPF / Limit your time outdoors. Stay out of the sun (and tanning beds) for at least two weeks. Peels expose vulnerable, immature cells, so you must make sure to protect those cells from skin-damaging UV rays. If you do go outside, apply sunblock on the face, neck, and chest and wear a wide brimmed hat.

  • Use soothing products. 12-24 hours post peel, you may use healing products such as Artisan Organics Healing Oil with Calendula or a natural gel-based Aloe Vera product to speed up the healing process and reduce redness. Mist your skin with a Rosewater Hydrosol liberally throughout the day, whenever your skin feels dry or tight.

  • Use Antioxidants. The time directly after a peel is a great time to introduce Antioxidant-based products like Vitamin C serums to your new baby collagen cells. Antioxidants will help protect those beautiful new skin cells and make them stronger.

  • Important Note. Since chemical peels can stimulate melanin activity, they can cause post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, a condition where you develop brown spots post-peel (this is most common in skin that already struggles with discoloration/brown spots). An antioxidant/SPF will work beautifully for aiding in preventing and lightening possible discoloration. If you are concerned about this, please discuss with me before your peel.

DO NOT'S

  • Wet skin for at least 12-24 hours after peel is applied. No water, no products, no moisturizers, no make-up. This includes hot showers, saunas, and sweaty cardiovascular exercise.

  • Pick at the skin! The whole purpose of a peel is to “burn” off the dry, damaged cell layers on the surface and reveal younger-looking, healthy new skin cells. But in order to do this, the skin has to shed it’s top layer and this is the part people dislike the most. Picking off dry, flaky skin when it may not be ready to come off can result in scarring, dark spots, and unnecessary redness.

  • Over-moisturize in order to compensate for post-peeling dryness. When the skin is peeling and flaky, it’s normal to want to apply heavy moisturizer to alleviate dryness and provide comfort to your irritated skin. The whole purpose of a chemical peel is to peel, so over-hydrating peeling skin when it wants to shed off will not give you the best results from your peel and will prolong your healing-time. Just use a light, gentle moisturizer and let the skin do what it wants to do naturally.

  • Exfoliate. It is extremely important that you do not remove the dry skin before it’s ready and to let the skin shed naturally. Harsh scrubs and acids will only further irritate your skin and could result in scarring.

  • Consume alcohol or spicy foods. These may stimulate facial redness during peeling process.

  • Vacation Plans. This is more of a scheduling reminder: if you're receiving a peel or a series of peels in our off-season, remember to keep your vacations and travel plans in mind. You don't want to have a chemical peel and then fly off to a tropical, hot sunny location.