CATCHING PEELINGS
Janine Mendes-Franco
We get it — when it comes to chemical peels, you’re in love — and with good reason! Peels can make quite the difference when it comes to your skin’s appearance, so here’s what you need to know before coming in to get one…
There are different types
Peels are not a one-size-fits all situation. There are light, medium and deep chemical peels, and each is geared towards a different result.
Light peels — Penetrate the uppermost layer of the epidermis. Great for minor issues like small blemish scars that only need superficial treatment. Also fantastic for brightening skin’s appearance and helping to control breakouts. Fast recovery time.
Medium peels — These go just beneath the epidermis. Work well on shallow acne scars, and reversing sun damage and wrinkling around the eyes and mouth. Any side effects, like redness and peeling, don’t typically last longer than a couple of weeks. Not necessarily recommended for those with darker skin tones because of the risk of discolouration.
Deep peels — Treat all the way through to the lower dermis level. Best for deeper scars and wrinkles, but requires sedation, so the CO2RE laser — or even microdermabrasion — are much better options to treat deep tissue.
Your skin type matters
The effectiveness of chemical peels rely strongly on the type of skin you have. This is determined by the Fitzpatrick scale, which classifies skin based on skin colour and its response to ultraviolet light. Dermatologists use the scale as a tool to help inform skin pigmentation research and treatments. Lighter skin (Types I-II) react much better to peels, while darker tones are at risk of hyperpigmentation and should avoid this type of treatment.
There are tangible benefits for lighter skin tones
If you’re light-skinned enough to be a safe candidate for chemical peels, you’ll be thrilled at what they can do:
Improve hydration and tone, making skin look more clear and even, and feel firmer to the touch
Visibly reduce the appearance of acne, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles
Give skin the “clean slate” effect, allowing skincare products do their job more effectively
Prompt cell growth; healthy new collagen makes your complexion glow
Sounds “appeeling”? Call us to find out more or book your spot today.