Why Peels are Important

Chemical exfoliations are a must!

What is your skin concern? Do you have you suffer from acne, age spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone or texture? Or are you just looking for just a new refreshed dewy glow look to your skin? A chemical peel is a rapid, easy way for you to regenerate a healthy layer of skin.  Overall, chemical peels bring a healthy glow to the skin while reducing the appearance of blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, melasma, and hyperpigmentation along with evening out the texture of your skin and are beneficial for every skin type.    The most common area to receive chemical peels is on the face but they are also beneficial for the skin on your hands, arms, neck, décolleté and legs.  Call Northwest Aesthetics to schedule your appointment or consultation with an esthetician for a chemical exfoliation.  

Chemical Peel Benefits:

• Improves skin tone and texture
• Increases cell turnover rate
• Improves skins ability to hold moisture
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines
• Helps treat hyperpigmentation such as; melasma, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sun damage and free radical damage.
• Treats acne
• Unclogs pores
• Treats acne scarring
• Safe for every skin type

When is the best time to do peels?

• Peels should be done you do not have an active tan or sunburn. We also recommended for you to be out of the sun for at least 2 weeks prior to your chemical peel, for the darker skin types could even be 3 to 4 weeks.
• We recommended that if you have an event coming up that you want to have a peel done before that you do it 2 weeks prior to the event so that it gives your skin time to heal.
• Peels are great to be done at the end of each of the seasons, so do a peel at least 4 times a year.
• To get the best results for your peel we recommended to do a series of 4 peels 4 weeks apart. Depending on your skin it may take more.

The peeling process:

• With the specific peels we carry at NWA we recommended to not wash your face 4-6 hours after receiving your peel.
• The day of your skin may have a yellow/ orange tint to your skin.
• The day after your peel your skin will have a great glow and you are allowed to wear makeup.
• By the 3^rd or 4^th day post peel is when you may start to see your peeling happen.
• Typically peeling starts around the mouth and works it ways to the hair line.
• The peeling can last anywhere from 3- 10 days depending on the client
• Each client peels differently, it depends on how your skin reacts to the acids for the amount of peeling you may have.
• Apply sunscreen every 60 to 90 minutes

What to do before peel:

• No sun exposure 2- 3 weeks before your scheduled peel
• No Botox or fillers 2 weeks before your scheduled peel
• No waxing, electrolysis or depilatory creams 2 weeks before peel
• No laser treatments 2 weeks before peel
• 3 days before peel, stop use of RetinA and any products containing retinol, alpha- hydroxy acids, beta- hydroxy acids and benzoyl peroxide.

What to do post peel:

• Depending on what peel you do the aftercare may be a little different, your Esthetician at Northwest Aesthetics will go over in detail what to do post peel and also give you written instructions to take home with you. Your general post peel instructions are;
• Be GENTLE with your skin meaning, no exfoliation until you are completely done peeling
• Use a gentle hydrating moisturizer
• Use a gentle cleanser with no acids or exfoliating beads
• No RetinA or other active ingredients on your skin until you are completely done peeling.
• No Clarisonics or other exfoliating brushes.
• Absolutely no picking at the peeling skin.
• No working out for the next 24- 48 hours
• No saunas, hot tubs or baths for the next 24- 48 hours
• Apply sunscreen every 60- 90 minutes, especially if you are going to be outside or driving in the car.  

Recommended post peel products:

• Is Clinical Cleansing complex
• SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream
• PCA Weightless Protection SPF

Contraindications:

• Accutane, must be off for at least 6 months to a year
• Active cold sores, warts open wounds or a history of herpes simplex
• Pregnancy or trying to become pregnant and breast feeding
• Asprin or phenol allergy
• Patients taking any medications causing photo sensitivity
• Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and or radiation therapy
• Patients with a history of autoimmune disease or any condition to weaken their immune system.
• Sunburn

Northwest Aesthetics offers SkinMedica and VI peels ranging for mild to strong peel options.  During your consultation, we will discuss what your skin care goals are and determine which peel will be best for you.   Click here to learn more about the type of peels we offer at Northwest Aesthetics.  Make sure you check out the before and after transformations!