Chemical Peels
The natural ageing process, combined with sun exposure and other factors, results in a superficial layer of skin made up of dead and damaged skin cells. This leaves your skin tone looking dull and tired, and it also creates fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels are a great way to remove this damaged layer, revealing the younger, healthier and more balanced skin tone that lies beneath.
Ideally you should have peels done on a regular basis, and they can be combined with other skin therapies like microneedling and a good home care regimen to maintain your skin’s natural radiance and health. Chemical peels also improve skin texture and help treat pigmentation and sun damage, as well as help to clear acne and improve scarring.
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Types Of Chemical Peels
We offer many types of chemical peels and we’ll evaluate your skin type to determine what is best for you. This is a quick in-office procedure and depending on the type of peel used, there may be a period of redness and flaking skin for a few days after your peel. Our aestheticians can recommend skin care products and makeup that can be used immediately after your peel, and over the longer term to help maintain your results.
Some of the types of peels we offer include:
- Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Peels: These superficial peels require minimal to no downtime and are excellent for maintenance and subtle enhancements to skin tone.
- TCA Peel: These medium-depth peels generally require a longer downtime of five to seven days. The benefit of this longer downtime is a visibly superior result, especially in those with pigmentation problems, uneven skin texture, acne scarring and sun damage.
- Retinol Peel: Medium depth peel with high comfort levels. 3% retinol which is a vitamin A derivative. This causes a physical peeling which can last up to five days. This peel is very effective in treating a multitude of skin conditions, including fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and skin laxity.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is an add on procedure that offers dual exfoliation when combined with peel treatments. Want to know the three ways dermaplaning works to get your skin feeling smooth and fresh?
STEP 1
In this treatment a blade is used to superficially remove tiny vellus hair otherwise known as the “peach fuzz”. This hair is common in women and is often unwanted – the ease of removing it with this method is gentle and effective. No need to stress either as your facial hair does not grow back worse or less, but temporary removes the hair until your next hair growth cycle.
STEP 2
The blading scrapes off excess dead skin cells, which leaves the skin feeling very smooth.
STEP 3
After blading, we apply a choice of peels to promote healthy cell renewal.
This treatment is remarkably effective in it is dual exfoliation. The great news is there is very little downtime and your skin feels glam!
FAQs about Chemical Peels and Dermaplaning
What is a chemical peel?
A chemical peel is the application of low pH solutions to the skin in a controlled manner which will remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin.
Depending on whether you opt for a superficial, medium or deep treatment, a chemical peel can address skin concerns ranging from pigment changes and mild sun damage to more extensive wrinkles and lesions. Common reasons for opting for this procedure are the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles as well as enhancement to the texture and clarity of skin.
A chemical peel is one of the least invasive ways to improve the appearance of your skin, and the procedure takes less than an hour to perform.
So, ready for fresh, rejuvenated looking skin?
I have sensitive skin. Can I have a chemical peel?
The most important consideration when it comes to peeling sensitive skin is choosing the right peel and starting slow. With a good protocol, sensitive skin can actually benefit from chemical peels and become more resilient over time. With a long-term treatment plan, stronger peels may also be used, as the sensitivity is under control.
What happens during a chemical peel?
During a chemical peel, the skin is cleaned and then treated with a low pH solution, known as a chemical exfoliating agent. The solution is intended to remove portions of the outer layers of the skin to which it is applied, encouraging the growth of new skin in its place over a period of time following the procedure. Toward the end of the treatment, the chemical is neutralised. The strength of the solution and length of time are dependent upon the type of peel applied.
What can I expect after a chemical peel?
Depending on the type of chemical peel you have had, the skin on the treated area may peel over the days following the treatment, and begin the process of creating new layers to replace those that have been removed. Skin must be cared for properly during the recovery phase, to ensure proper healing and long-lasting results. Sun exposure has the potential to introduce colour changes and hyperpigmentation, therefore it is important to avoid this until the skin has finished peeling completely and daily SPF 50 sunscreen use must be added to the post-procedure regimen.
What are the benefits of a chemical peel?
Chemical peels remove the outer layer of your skin that have been exposed to toxins, dry conditions and other factors that may have damaged your skin.
Chemical peels can:
- Reduce acne scars as well as clearing up breakouts
- Improve skin colour, clarity, tone and texture
- Increase hydration of the skin
What is frosting?
Frosting is when parts of your skin turn white during a chemical peel. It happens when the surface of your skin is exfoliated away by the acidic solution. It is usually flat and looks frothy, but you can’t physically scrape it off your skin. Places where your skin frosts will be the places where you peel (and brown) the most. These places usually scab over and take longer to heal than places on your skin that don’t frost. Frosting generally doesn’t occur during glycolic acid or lactic acid chemical peels, but during deeper chemical peels, such as TCA chemical peels. If you do not see any frosting, this is perfectly acceptable too. We are all different and our skin is in different states, so we may observe different things such as frosting, no frosting, redness or nothing at all.
What are the benefits of dermaplaning?
- Textural improvements
- Superficial hair removal
- Hydration
- Anti-ageing
What is the dermaplaning recovery time?
Your skin will feel clean, there may be a bit of downtime, your skin can experience mild dryness two days later and in the weeks to follow, you will start to feel the hair growing back. That is a good indication to come in for your next treatment.
Where can you get dermaplaning?
Although some at-home and do-it-yourself kits are available, it is advised to only get the cosmetic procedure done by trained individuals. Since the procedure involves a surgical scalpel being pulled across facial skin, it is important that only trained aestheticians and spets perform this procedure.
Does the hair grow back worse after dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a superficial form of hair removal, what this means is that it temporarily removes your hair growth. The hair will grow back the same as it was before, it does not grow back thicker, darker or worse because we cannot change the physiology of the hair follicle .
Is dermaplaning the same as shaving?
Some people argue that since dermaplaning has the same basic premise as shaving that anyone should be able to perform the procedure. Again, it is important to note that in the procedure a surgical scalpel is used which is very different from the blade used in shaving.
How often should you do dermaplaning?
The best recommendation is to do a dermaplane every eight weeks which will allow for the hair growth cycle to come through.
Who is dermaplaning recommended for?
This treatment is indicated for all skin types, however a proper skin assement needs to be done by a professional. Most indicated for clients who have lots of unwanted felllus facial hair which gets removed superficially by the blade technique.
A chemical peel is also applied to the skin to kickstart the skin exfoliation of unwanted dead skin and lactic to improve the skins moisture content and provide with lots of hydration. It is not an ideal treatment for the patient who has acne or is on Roaccutane.
If you are interested in other anti-wrinkle treatments, we also offer anti-wrinkle injections.
Find out more about chemical peels by contacting us.
