How Are Peels Performed?

Before you get a peel you should exfoliate at home or have a professional microdermabrasion treatment. The exfoliation will remove the uppermost dead skin so that the chemical can sink into your skin better. Your skin will be cleansed and “degreased” before the peel is actually applied. This means that all surface oils and debris are removed so that the peel can penetrate properly. The solution is applied to the skin, normally in layers though some peels are simply one layer, like a treatment mask. The peel is either removed at the end of the treatment or left on to self-neutralize.

How Does It Feel?

Generally you will feel warmth over the area being peeled during the procedure. The esthetician performing the peel will either fan the area being peeled or provide you with a small electric fan to hold over the area. You may feel stinging, burning, and even itching while the peel in performed. Those sensations will stop once the peel is over. Your esthetician will check in with you throughout the peel so if you ever feel any great discomfort she or he will know to stop the peel immediately.

What to Expect After a Peel

Your skin will be quite sensitive to the sun following a peel so be extra vigilant about sunscreen use following your peel. Because of this it usually isn’t a good idea to get peels in the summer or right before going on a vacation to a warm climate.
Following a peel your skin will feel tight and then a little dry. You may remain red for an hour or so following the peel. If you peel after the chemical peel treatment peeling will begin approximately 3 to 5 days following your peel. The extent of peeling varies according to the person and the depth of the peel. Not everyone peels following a chemical peel actually. Some people have some mild itching following their peels.

How Often Can You Get a Chemical Peel?

Generally it is best to get a peel every four to six weeks. But if you suffer from acne there are some peels that you can do every two weeks until you get the results you want. Generally it is a great idea to buy a series of four or five peels up front so that you can achieve the treatment results that you want. Also when you buy a series of peels upfront you will receive a discount. Consider buying a deal that allows you to get chemical peels interspersed with microdermabrasion treatments or facials.

When Will You See Results?

Some people see results as little as 10 days after their peels. Other people won’t see results until about three weeks following their peel.

The best advice is to make an appointment with a qualified and licensed esthetician. She will listen to your concerns, evaluate your skin, diagnose issues that should be addressed and formulate a plan to help get you the results you want. A good esthetician will have different options for the amount of money and time that you can invest. At our office, skin consultations are always free and there is no pressure to purchase a thing.

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