10 Feb Your Best Skin is Right Below the Surface
Did you know that your skin is an organ—the biggest organ you have? That’s why RefinedMD specializes in both medical and cosmetic skin care, so that you can achieve the best skin possible that is healthy, youthful, and bright. Since this organ faces many daily threats, from UV damage to pollutants, it makes sense that it gets dull and sometimes inflicted with diseases and disorders. Skin that has poor texture, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and more makes us look older and more tired than we are. The good news is that there’s a way to fix this by simply removing the top layer of the skin. Below the surface we all have clearer, brighter, more youthful skin.
A chemical peel does just what the name implies. It peels away the top layer(s) of skin and, in the process, kick-starts the collagen production of the skin. There are many types of chemical peels, and each one is selected and customized for your unique needs and goals. A chemical peel uses (you guessed it!) chemicals to remove the top layer(s). Chemical peels are typically defined as light, medium, or deep.
Choosing Your Chemical Peel
The more aggressive the chemical peel, the longer the downtime. Still, even with aggressive peels, the recovery is much quicker than an invasive procedure. Chemical peels can cause redness, swelling, and of course peeling—if they didn’t peel your skin, you wouldn’t get the benefits of seeing “new” skin revealed.
Some people feel perfectly fine going about their daily lives, even after a medium-depth chemical peel. It’s a little easier to hide the immediate effects of a chemical peel these days thanks to diligent mask-wearing. However, also bear in mind that a mask can irritate peeling skin. It’s best to avoid being in situations where you should wear a mask for up to two weeks after your chemical peel.
Other people want to avoid being seen until the peel is mostly or totally complete. This is up to you, and you can plan your Zoom calls and outings accordingly. The peeling stage is usually complete within 1 – 2 weeks after your appointment, making the “recovery” much quicker than many other treatments.
Chemical Peel Results
Clients also want to know how much younger they will look and if a chemical peel will address a certain issue. How much younger you look depends on numerous factors, including the depth of your peel. However, with a medium depth peel, you can count on looking at least a few years younger. During your consultation, you will find out if a chemical peel will address specific concerns. For example, a chemical peel can be a great option to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and brown spots. However, it will not be effective for treating things like a broken blood vessel (this is an issue better addressed by a laser!). It is not uncommon to pair treatments like lasers and a chemical peel to ensure optimal results.
Light and medium chemical peels can be repeated about twice per year on average. The results are not permanent because the skin will continue to change. Top layers of the skin will keep aging and showing the effects of new traumas such as sun damage or scarring. However, a regular chemical peel schedule can help you sustain results and can be a much-deserved pampering treatment throughout the year.
Preparing for a Chemical Peel
In addition to understanding if you’ll need to excuse yourself from having the camera on during Zoom calls, there are some best practices to keep in mind with peels. The first rule is absolutely no picking at the peeling skin. You may also need to temporarily stop certain face creams, serums, and ointments (or, better yet, we’ll work with you to determine a new and better regimen using medical-grade products).
Sunscreen is critical for everyone, but especially those who just had a chemical peel. Ideally you should avoid sunlight entirely for two weeks after your treatment. When this just isn’t possible, use shade (such as a wide-brimmed hat) when you can and properly apply sunscreen every 75 minutes. As the skin peels away and new skin appears, remember that this new skin is very sensitive to UV damage. You can help keep it safe and looking fantastic by safeguarding it.
Ready to learn more about chemical peels or schedule your complimentary consultation? Connect with RefinedMD today via our online booking system.