For Glowing Skin, Choose Peels
Years of sun exposure, the natural effects of aging, hormonal changes and environmental toxins can work together to wreak havoc on your skin. From fine lines and discoloration to acne and dullness, the skin can show signs of damage in many different ways. While some of these issues can be addressed with a good skincare routine and lifestyle changes, there are times when you need a little bit of help in the form of chemical peels. Chemical peels can restore a youthful appearance and treat various skin issues. They are not only effective in improving how your skin looks but also its health.
Why Get a Chemical Peel?
Years of sun exposure, the natural effects of aging, hormonal changes and environmental toxins can work together to wreak havoc on your skin. From fine lines and discoloration to acne and dullness, the skin can show signs of damage in many different ways. While some of these issues can be addressed with a good skincare routine and lifestyle changes, there are times when you need a little bit of help in the form of chemical peels. Chemical peels can restore a youthful appearance and treat various skin issues. They are effective in improving not only the skin’s appearance but also its health.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Over time, the skin’s natural resilience can become depleted, leading to problems like a loss of elasticity, discoloration, acne and other issues. Chemical peels are one way to reverse this damage and restore the skin’s health and vitality. They do this through chemoexfoliation, a process in which acids quite literally peel away damaged cells from the skin’s surface. This stimulates skin cell renewal, collagen remodeling and a reduced appearance of brown spots for a smoother, brighter complexion.
What Do Chemical Peels Treat?
Chemical peels target a wide array of skin concerns. They can be tailored to meet your unique needs and address a variety of skin concerns, such as:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Sun damage
Loss of elasticity
Uneven skin tone
Acne and acne scars
Most chemical peels are designed to tackle skin issues on the face. But the neck, chest and hands can also be targets of chemical peel treatments. And depending on the type of peel used and its strength, a peel can be safely used on darker complexions with minimal risk.
What Are My Chemical Peel Options?
Depending on the problem being treated, our expert clinicians will recommend either a superficial or medium-depth peel to help you meet your treatment goals. VITAHL offers innovative peels that use a unique system to effectively treat the skin with less irritation and downtime.
Using a combination of gentle peeling agents and acids (resorcinol, lactic acid, salicylic acid and citric acid), the Prodigy Peel Systems by iS Clinical offer a superficial peel that can address mild to moderate aging, acne and discoloration. This superficial peel can be safely used on all skin types.
In addition, there is also a medium-depth Prodigy Peel designed to target deeper layers of the skin to tackle issues like skin laxity, acne, discoloration, uneven skin texture and wrinkles.
Results with either strength of peel may be visible after a single session, although most patients will require a series of treatments for the best results.
Light Peels (Prodigy Peel "P2" System)
Using a combination of gentle peeling agents and acids (resorcinol, lactic acid, salicylic acid and citric acid), superficial or light peels can address mild to moderate signs of aging, acne, and discoloration. By lightly exfoliating the skin and only penetrating the outermost layer, superficial peels provide a fresh, subtle glow with minimal downtime. There is less risk of pigment irregularities or skin damage with light peels and little to no flaking or redness after treatment, but you may need a series of sessions to achieve and maintain the best results.
Medium Peels (Prodigy Peel Pro "P3" System)
Superficial to medium-depth peels use many of the same ingredients as lighter peels in higher concentrations. They are designed to target the deeper layers of the skin to tackle issues like skin laxity, sun damage, acne, discoloration, uneven tone or texture and wrinkles. Medium peels provide more dramatic results but may cause noticeable redness, flaking or irritation. Results are visible after a single session, although some patients may benefit from a series of treatments to achieve the best outcome, depending on their unique concerns and goals.
Chemical Peel Candidates
If you are healthy and are dealing with the early signs of skin aging, an uneven skin tone or acne blemishes, you are likely a good candidate for a chemical peel. Almost anyone can benefit from this skin rejuvenating treatment, especially with our personalized treatment plans and range of peel solutions, which are safe to use even on dark and sensitive skin. Exceptions include pregnancy and breastfeeding, a history of serious allergic reactions, an active skin infection and serious autoimmune conditions.
How to Prepare for Your Chemical Peel
To get ready for your chemical peel treatment, it’s important to avoid the following in the days to months before your appointment:
24-48 hours before treatment
Injectables (e.g., Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)
Dermal fillers (e.g., Juvéderm or Restylane)
One month before treatment
Other types of professional chemical peels
Other forms of resurfacing and skin-tightening treatments (e.g., microneedling, laser resurfacing, Ultherapy)
Tanning beds, direct sun exposure and self-tanning products
Six to 12 months before treatment
Plastic surgery
Accutane® (isotretinoin)
To prep your skin for treatment, we advise using a gentle cleanser followed by a scent-free moisturizer and high-SPF sunscreen.
What to Expect During Your Chemical Peel
A chemical peel can seem daunting if you’ve never experienced one before. After all, the treatment involves applying a combination of acids to the skin to reveal the healthier layer underneath, followed by redness, flaking and sometimes, peeling. It’s normal to feel anxious about the prospect of having your skin undergo such an intensive treatment. To help reduce your anxieties, here is what you can expect.
Consultation: Before your chemical peel, our aesthetic experts will take time to learn about your goals, desires and expectations of this treatment. They’ll explain everything that goes on during a chemical peel, what to expect afterward and how to prepare. Your clinician will also need to learn about your medical history and review your current medication and products.
Prep: Chemical peels begin with a thorough skin cleanse and the application of a protective cream around sensitive areas. You'll also wear eye protection. Before applying the peeling solutions, your provider will apply a toner to prep your skin. The toner is applied evenly over the entire treatment area and left to dry on the skin.
Peel: Depending on your specific skin concerns, your provider will use one of the two peel solutions. They will saturate a gauze with the solution and use smooth strokes to distribute the product evenly. Most patients need one to three passes, allowing the product to dry completely between each pass.
Booster: Using a separate gauze, your provider will proceed by applying a booster solution. The booster is left to dry on the skin.
Post-Peel Care: As soon as your treatment is complete, the provider removes your safety goggles and protective cream and applies a thick coat of high-SPF sunscreen. You will be instructed to avoid applying any other products until the evening, when you can wash your skin with a mild cleanser. We will provide you with a home-care brochure before you leave our office.
What to Expect During Your Recovery
Your skin will appear slightly red on the first day of your treatment and may feel tender, all of which is normal. By day three, the damaged skin cells will begin to flake and peel. It's important not to scratch and pick your skin to avoid scarring and infections. By day five, most of the peeling resolves and your new skin will start to show.
It is also important to note that not everyone peels after a chemical peel. Some patients will only experience flaking. You do not have to undergo a big peel to see results.
What Your Results Will Look Like
The benefits from this treatment take time to fully develop. Most patients notice improvement within a few weeks of their initial chemical peel; however, multiple sessions are usually needed before you can see the full potential of this treatment. This includes diminished fine lines and wrinkles, resolution of active acne, reduced scars, visibly brighter skin, a more even skin tone and texture and an overall improved complexion.
Ready for Your Chemical Peel Experience?
If you want to reveal your naturally glowing complexion with the help of chemical peels, reach out to our office by calling (615) 549-5600 or filling out our online contact form to schedule your consultation and treatment. We are looking forward to being your trusted partner throughout this process.
