Chemical Peel Acne Treatment: A Beginners Guide
If you’ve ever visited a day spa or a dermatology clinic in your life before, then there’s the likely chance that you’ve become intimately familiar with a light acne chemical peel. As opposed to what most people may think of, a single session can be done quickly by a professional dermatologist and is often done under an hour. Because of this, some folks have dubbed this procedure rather affectionately as a "lunchtime peel". Yes, acne skin peeling procedure can be done so ridiculously fast that you can even book a session on a weekday.
Just as the name implies, an acne chemical peel treatment involves... well, peeling. A base chemical—which can either be an alpha- or a beta-hydroxy acid—is used for this then-unusual process of skin exfoliation. In a “nutmeg”, a single session of an acne chemical peel procedure can do so much in alleviating various cases of acne, which can range from mild to moderately severe. Not only that, but despite the name, this procedure isn’t just indicated for acne, but is also used for folks who want to “smoothen” out their signs of skin aging like wrinkles and fine lines. Yes, it’s as catchall as a treatment can be, if there’s such a thing.
As you may expect, the cost for having a single peel session will vary, not only on the place where the procedure is performed, but on how broad the skin area is to be treated. For day spas or beauty salons, it’ll really have to cost you extra. A chemical peel is often offered as a “package” deal with a generalized facial treatment. Be forewarned, though; if you do so choose to book a session at these places, it’ll really have to cost you extra because of the “thoroughness” of the treatment that should be given to you. But we’re not saying it’s not worth it; if anything, you can just kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, by obtaining a package like this.
The Basics:
Can you imagine having your skin really peeled off? It sounds painful, doesn’t it? But fret not; “peeling” is just the industry lingo that is being used for this procedure, but in actuality, all it does is accelerating the exfoliating process of your skin. By “exfoliation”, it means that the dead skin cells that are continually blocking the pores are effectively removed, thereby allowing new cells to grow in the process. In turn, skin conditions like whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples will be systematically decreased.
Most dermatologists prefer using glycolic acid, a main alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), as the main exfoliant for the skin peeling process. Glycolic acid is often used for some “light” chemical sessions. However, if we are to base it on some recent trends, beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) peels should be the way to the “future”.
BHAs and AHAs essentially function in much the same way. Yet despite that, BHAs are now being recommended by more and more experts as being a more preferable alternative in choosing a skin peel treatment, especially since it had been then found out some years ago that salicylic acid, a BHA-derivative and one of the more familiar and most effective anti-acne compounds out there, is not as irritating to the skin as some of its “alpha” brethren.
So What Do You Need to Expect A Peel Session:
For most light acne chemical peel sessions, certain SOPs should be observed to ensure that a client won’t develop infection after a treatment has concluded. So it’s quite important that the skin—whether it may be on the face, the back, or anything that you wish to have treated—should be meticulously cleaned and died thoroughly. After that, a thin “film” of an exfoliating agent is applied gently to the skin with the use of a thin brush or a sterilized cotton applicator.
Don’t be alarmed if you feel a rather discomforting sensation on the skin immediately after the compound has been applied. Others will describe it as a “burning” sensation, while some will warn you to anticipate for a “stinging” feeling. Just try to endure for another ten minutes, as the person that is overseeing your treatment also knows just how uncomfortable you feel and will try to ease you by “cooling” your skin by using a small handheld fan, on most occasions.
After that short burst of agony on your part, the chemical is then washed off with cool water, and a “neutralizing” agent is then applied to the affected part. You’ll then notice that your skin has completely dried up, which also means that the session is complete. However, if you’ve booked a full facial treatment along with your chemical peel, then you can expect that a “mask” is applied on your skin to soothe it even more from the earlier sensation, followed by a toner and a light moisturizer. If you want your session to really feel “complete”, then you can also request for a facial massage. Oh joy!
If your skin looks like it just got burned from too much tanning, just relax; it’s just your skin adjusting to the rapid exfoliation and regeneration process that it has just undergone. That “lobster” look your skin has will just disappear in under five days’ time, but it usually depends on how extensive the treatment had been given to your skin. If you’ve got to ask, then yes; you can indeed use makeup. No one wants to go out hobnobbing with friends and looking all red, after all.
But before you go troop to your dermatologist and immediately ask for a peel, there are several things that you have to remember: since a chemical peel can be possibly more irritating to your skin than you may have initially expected, a special cleanser/moisturizer is often prescribed for use two weeks before the scheduled session. If possible, a retinoid cream is also indicated for use several hours prior to the treatment. All precautions must be taken if you are planning to go ahead with this treatment, so don’t be surprised if you’re “taking” medications even before a clinician has started treating you.
Possible Side Effects That You Should Know:
Redness and, of course, “peeling” of your skin are all expected “side effects” of the treatment. But just be glad that it’ll be gone in a couple of days. For some folks though, there are some times when these effects can prove to be so severe that another trip to a dermatologist is warranted just to make sure if something’s wrong with your skin.
Before starting your treatment, promptly inform your dermatologist if you have been using any acne creams or just about any medication that you know may impact your treatment; just leave no stone unturned and your dermatologist will be glad that you did so. Otherwise, the “burning” sensations will just get worse if you go ahead with your treatment.
So How Can You “Maximize” The Effects of Your Chemical Peel:
The immediate period after peeling is always a crucial time for your skin to grow back and regain its luster. Just so your skin won’t take any further damage than it needs to be, you must be cautious about certain conditions.
For example, a sunscreen that isn’t oil-based is necessary if you’re planning to go out daily under the harsh glare of the sun. If you’re also planning to use a skin cleanser, try using a “gentler” brand that’s marketed for people with “sensitive” skin, instead of the harsher benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Or better yet, ask your dermatologist what recommended brands you should be using.
The most important thing that you will have to remember, though, is that you just can’t get achieve your desired skin in a single session; it is an ongoing process, and the results will only get better if you manage to keep up with the proposed treatment schedule. Usually, sessions are divided in a one-to-two week interval. Just keep at it, and you’ll have beautiful skin in no time.
If you’ve ever visited a day spa or a dermatology clinic in your life before, then there’s the likely chance that you’ve become intimately familiar with a light acne chemical peel. As opposed to what most people may think of, a single session can be done quickly by a professional dermatologist and is often done under an hour. Because of this, some folks have dubbed this procedure rather affectionately as a "lunchtime peel". Yes, acne skin peeling procedure can be done so ridiculously fast that you can even book a session on a weekday.
Just as the name implies, an acne chemical peel treatment involves... well, peeling. A base chemical—which can either be an alpha- or a beta-hydroxy acid—is used for this then-unusual process of skin exfoliation. In a “nutmeg”, a single session of an acne chemical peel procedure can do so much in alleviating various cases of acne, which can range from mild to moderately severe. Not only that, but despite the name, this procedure isn’t just indicated for acne, but is also used for folks who want to “smoothen” out their signs of skin aging like wrinkles and fine lines. Yes, it’s as catchall as a treatment can be, if there’s such a thing.
As you may expect, the cost for having a single peel session will vary, not only on the place where the procedure is performed, but on how broad the skin area is to be treated. For day spas or beauty salons, it’ll really have to cost you extra. A chemical peel is often offered as a “package” deal with a generalized facial treatment. Be forewarned, though; if you do so choose to book a session at these places, it’ll really have to cost you extra because of the “thoroughness” of the treatment that should be given to you. But we’re not saying it’s not worth it; if anything, you can just kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, by obtaining a package like this.
The Basics:
Can you imagine having your skin really peeled off? It sounds painful, doesn’t it? But fret not; “peeling” is just the industry lingo that is being used for this procedure, but in actuality, all it does is accelerating the exfoliating process of your skin. By “exfoliation”, it means that the dead skin cells that are continually blocking the pores are effectively removed, thereby allowing new cells to grow in the process. In turn, skin conditions like whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples will be systematically decreased.
Most dermatologists prefer using glycolic acid, a main alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), as the main exfoliant for the skin peeling process. Glycolic acid is often used for some “light” chemical sessions. However, if we are to base it on some recent trends, beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) peels should be the way to the “future”.
BHAs and AHAs essentially function in much the same way. Yet despite that, BHAs are now being recommended by more and more experts as being a more preferable alternative in choosing a skin peel treatment, especially since it had been then found out some years ago that salicylic acid, a BHA-derivative and one of the more familiar and most effective anti-acne compounds out there, is not as irritating to the skin as some of its “alpha” brethren.
So What Do You Need to Expect A Peel Session:
For most light acne chemical peel sessions, certain SOPs should be observed to ensure that a client won’t develop infection after a treatment has concluded. So it’s quite important that the skin—whether it may be on the face, the back, or anything that you wish to have treated—should be meticulously cleaned and died thoroughly. After that, a thin “film” of an exfoliating agent is applied gently to the skin with the use of a thin brush or a sterilized cotton applicator.
Don’t be alarmed if you feel a rather discomforting sensation on the skin immediately after the compound has been applied. Others will describe it as a “burning” sensation, while some will warn you to anticipate for a “stinging” feeling. Just try to endure for another ten minutes, as the person that is overseeing your treatment also knows just how uncomfortable you feel and will try to ease you by “cooling” your skin by using a small handheld fan, on most occasions.
After that short burst of agony on your part, the chemical is then washed off with cool water, and a “neutralizing” agent is then applied to the affected part. You’ll then notice that your skin has completely dried up, which also means that the session is complete. However, if you’ve booked a full facial treatment along with your chemical peel, then you can expect that a “mask” is applied on your skin to soothe it even more from the earlier sensation, followed by a toner and a light moisturizer. If you want your session to really feel “complete”, then you can also request for a facial massage. Oh joy!
If your skin looks like it just got burned from too much tanning, just relax; it’s just your skin adjusting to the rapid exfoliation and regeneration process that it has just undergone. That “lobster” look your skin has will just disappear in under five days’ time, but it usually depends on how extensive the treatment had been given to your skin. If you’ve got to ask, then yes; you can indeed use makeup. No one wants to go out hobnobbing with friends and looking all red, after all.
But before you go troop to your dermatologist and immediately ask for a peel, there are several things that you have to remember: since a chemical peel can be possibly more irritating to your skin than you may have initially expected, a special cleanser/moisturizer is often prescribed for use two weeks before the scheduled session. If possible, a retinoid cream is also indicated for use several hours prior to the treatment. All precautions must be taken if you are planning to go ahead with this treatment, so don’t be surprised if you’re “taking” medications even before a clinician has started treating you.
Possible Side Effects That You Should Know:
Redness and, of course, “peeling” of your skin are all expected “side effects” of the treatment. But just be glad that it’ll be gone in a couple of days. For some folks though, there are some times when these effects can prove to be so severe that another trip to a dermatologist is warranted just to make sure if something’s wrong with your skin.
Before starting your treatment, promptly inform your dermatologist if you have been using any acne creams or just about any medication that you know may impact your treatment; just leave no stone unturned and your dermatologist will be glad that you did so. Otherwise, the “burning” sensations will just get worse if you go ahead with your treatment.
So How Can You “Maximize” The Effects of Your Chemical Peel:
The immediate period after peeling is always a crucial time for your skin to grow back and regain its luster. Just so your skin won’t take any further damage than it needs to be, you must be cautious about certain conditions.
For example, a sunscreen that isn’t oil-based is necessary if you’re planning to go out daily under the harsh glare of the sun. If you’re also planning to use a skin cleanser, try using a “gentler” brand that’s marketed for people with “sensitive” skin, instead of the harsher benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Or better yet, ask your dermatologist what recommended brands you should be using.
The most important thing that you will have to remember, though, is that you just can’t get achieve your desired skin in a single session; it is an ongoing process, and the results will only get better if you manage to keep up with the proposed treatment schedule. Usually, sessions are divided in a one-to-two week interval. Just keep at it, and you’ll have beautiful skin in no time.