Chemical peels have been used for decades to improve the appearance of the skin. It has been said that Cleopatra bathed in sour milk, which naturally contains lactic acid, because she found that it made her complexion softer, smoother and younger looking. Basically, chemical peels work by using varying types and strengths of acids to chemically exfoliate the skin. This causes the old, dead skin to slough and stimulates the underlying dermis to speed up its production new collagen and elastin, which leads to softer, clearer and younger looking skin.
Vi-Peel
The Vi-Peel is a proprietary blend of TCA (trichloroacetic acid), Phenol, Salicylic acid, Retin-A and botanicals. The peel has a local anesthetic blended in with it, so the application is nearly painless. The peel is ideally left on the face until the following morning.
Jessner Retin-A Peel
This peel is a blend of 14% Resorcinol, 14% Salicylic acid, and 14% Lactic acid. After the peel is applied, 1% Retin-A is applied and left on until the next morning.
What will I experience when I get a Vi-Peel or a Jessner Retin-A peel?
The application of the peel takes only about 10-15 minutes. First the skin is cleansed and thoroughly de-greased with a mixture of alcohol and acetone. Then the peel is applied with light pressure to the skin all over the face. A mild to moderate burning, stinging and itching sensation is experienced. Typically, these sensations fade over a few minutes and are improved by the use of a fan blowing onto your face while the peel is applied. You should have no discomfort by the time you leave the office.
What kind of down-time is there with these chemical peels?
You can expect your face to be red, itchy, dry, tight and possibly sore for the evening after the peel and possibly the next day. The following morning after you’ve washed the peel off, you should moisturize as frequently as possible, and most people are able to go to work and even apply make-up. About 36 to 48 hours after the peel is applied, the skin
on the face will begin to slough off, and this process of shedding skin can take as few as 2 days to as long as 5-7 days, depending upon your skin type.
What kind of improvements can I expect from a chemical peel?
• Improve rough and uneven skin tone and texture.
• Reduce or eliminate age spots, hyperpigmentation and melasma.
• Clear up stubborn acne.
• Firm the skin by promoting new collagen and elastin production.
• Soften fine lines and wrinkles.
