Chemical Peels 101: Pila’s Peel Guide

It can be daunting to figure out what you need if you are new to chemical peels, have no doubts, I’m here to help you with Heaven on Earth’s Peel Guide, Chemical Peels 101.

Fall’s in full swing! Crisp, cooler air, shorter nights, and changing leaves are amongst us! And now it’s time to undo that summer fun we had that’s showing up on our faces. You know what I’m talking about: sunspots, those fine lines that got a little deeper, and uneven texture. Add in the seasonal shift to dry, flaky, dehydrated skin, and you’re on your way to having your skin looking as dry as leaves. Who wants that? Not me! Not you!

You see, while the crisp cool air may feel nice, this temperature change leaves less moisture in the air, causing the skin to dry out.

One of those treatments that I love to offer in the fall months, going into winter, is Chemical Peels. And I know what you’re thinking, Pila; how could something that sounds scary and painful rejuvenate my skin? But don’t worry, I’m here today to share everything you need to know about chemical peels with my “Chemical Peels 101: Pila’s Peel Guide.“

Let’s Debunk The Most Common Myths About Chemical Peels

Myth 1: You’ll have to hide after you’ve had one.

I think the first thing I need to address is some myths about Chemical Peels. I can make a pumpkin enzyme peel sound heavenly. If you think you’ll look like Samantha from Sex And The City, though, you won’t care anything about the benefits of a pumpkin peel.

Thinking you’ll be red and raw from a peel is so 90s! The new era of chemical peels’ side effects of peeling (on the outside of the skin) is minimal. The true magic of a Chemical Peel is what the treatment does for your skin on a cellular level (under the skin).

Whether chemical or enzyme-based, the amount of your skin peeling depends on the type of peel selected. Most peels cause little to no discomfort as they slough the skin, dissolving away dead skin cells, encouraging your skin to make more new collagen-rich tissue. While there will be flaking and peeling, it is minimal compared to years ago.

Myth 2: People With Sensitive Skin Can’t Get A Chemical Peel

Many presume that if you have sensitive skin that you can’t get a chemical peel. The truth is, chemical peels are not one-size-fits-all, which is why you will find a range of chemical peels at Heaven on Earth (watch my video), from superficial peels to medium and deep peels. This range or level of solutions allows many to benefit from a peel, even those who genuinely have sensitive skin.

Myth 3: Chemical Peels Burn And Hurt

Chemical peels got a bad rap after Samantha’s red, raw, blistered face post-peel in Sex and the City. I’m here to set the record straight that you will not look like that post-chemical peel when performed by an experienced esthetician like myself! As the only place for a beef carpaccio in my world is an Italian restaurant.

In all seriousness, things have changed in the last 20 plus years. Rather than using substantial amounts of a single acid, chemical peels are customized and come in differing strengths and acidic formulations. Today’s peels have additions like pigment suppressants, antioxidants, and other skin-enriching ingredients. So unlike Samantha, who had to hide for weeks while her skin returned to normal, now it just takes a few days to reveal bright glowing skin.

Okay, now that I’ve shared what a chemical peel isn’t, Let’s talk about what it is!

What Is A Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is an FDA-approved professional procedure that uses a chemical solution like beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). These acids lower the skin’s PH level to resurface the skin by removing the top, damaged layers – revealing younger, new fresh skin below.

How Does A Chemical Peel Work?

Many experts like myself favor chemical peels as one of the most effective ways to teach the skin to act younger, helping to turn back the clock on aging skin. I know that may sound like a fabricated cliché, but trust me, a chemical peel is a real deal.

You see, as we age, the process of desquamation slows down, meaning that our body is slower to shed dead skin cells and produce new ones. A chemical peel is a terrific way to kick-start your natural cell turnover. Uncover fresh, healthy skin underneath the layers of dead surface skin cells.

When inducing controlled trauma, your cell’s natural response is to bump up fibroblasts that make collagen proteins. Yes, the magic word collagen, what we all know we need for younger, smoother-looking skin.

Chemical peels also help to:

• Minimize fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduce the appearance of age spots and other sun damage (hyperpigmentation)
• Even out skin tone and improve skin texture
• Help with acne scarring
• Stimulate blood flow to help improve the skin’s elasticity
• Offer better penetration of your skincare products

What Are The Different Types Of Chemical Peels?

The term “chemical peels” broadly refers to several distinct types of chemical exfoliants. At Heaven on Earth, I will customize your chemical peel to address your skincare concerns, including:

• Lactic Acid Chemical Peel uses the AHA family of acids. It’s a hydrating peel recommended for light exfoliation to help dry, dull, and uneven skin tone.
• Glycolic Acid Chemical Peel uses the AHA family of acids. It’s is a medium strength peel. Many do this peel on their lunch break. This chemical peel treats aging, sun damage, and hormonal skin. Glycolic peels deeply penetrate the skin, delivering several benefits, such as stimulating collagen production, exfoliating dead skin cells, and treating wrinkles and minimal hyperpigmentation.
• Salicylic Acid Chemical Peel uses the BHA family of acids to treat acne-prone skin and can be very drying. Salicylic medium depth peels exfoliate the skin on a superficial level to cleanse pores, reduce sebum, and combat acne. And as a bonus, Heaven on Earth’s salicylic acid peel is formulated with cranberry to decrease inflammation.
• TCA Chemical Peel gets its name from trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and is a more versatile peel. It can be applied in a single layer as a superficial peel or layered to offer deeper penetration.

Now you know a few types of peels at Heaven On Earth Day Spa. Let’s talk about what to expect during and after the procedure. For more in-depth instructions, I suggest scheduling a consultation.

How Much Will I Peel, Pila?

With glycolic and lactic peels, there should be little to no flaking. Both are considered a micro peel so that you will experience shedding at a microscopic level.

With salicylic or TCA peels, there is flaking. Every person is different in how much they will peel.

Do you want to see some peeling? Ask me about adding a retinol seal. Adding this will get you peeling like a snake.

Prep Needed For A Chemical Peel

Or, as I like to say, prime the skin for the treatment. Be sure to…

• Begin your homecare products at least one week, without any irritation before your first treatment
• Stop using Retin-A for at least one week before your first peel
• If you have medical issues, for example, HSV, please make sure to let me know as you may want to take a pretreatment dose of acyclovir to minimize a possible postoperative herpetic outbreak
• Avoid sun exposure
• Don’t be a Samantha and plan a chemical peel close to an event. While you will not be looking like her, there are always side effects with any skincare treatment

Post Treatment Peel Care

Continue to avoid retinol, glycolic and salicylic acids, along with vitamin C for 7 – 10 days or until your skin’s healed and finished flaking

• Keep the skin hydrated and load up on peptides for resilient skin
• Avoid sun exposure and use an SPF of at least 30
• No hot or warm water when washing your face
• Limit strenuous workouts, dry saunas, and steam rooms as this causes an increase in blood circulation to the face that can intensify warming, tingling itchiness, and redness
• Do. Not. Pick. It can be tempting to pick off your flaking skin. Picking increases your chance of infection, which can permanently damage the skin and cause hyperpigmentation

Post Care For A Chemical Peel

You want to treat the new skin right away. I’ll guide you with the proper prescriptive skin care you need to maintain your skin, both before and after your chemical peel treatment.

Post care is imperative as it addresses the health of the new skin cells at a cellular level and is your opportunity to reset your skin with a fresh start!

I love Skin Script’s post-care regimen. It hydrates and protects the skin with powerful antioxidants, green tea, and acai berry to help maintain your results.

Carve Out Some Time For An At-Home Peel

Seeing you in the spa is always my first choice; I know it’s not always feasible. So, for those who want to peel at home or aren’t ready for an in-office chemical peel, you’ll want to try the Green Envee Pumpkin Glycolic Peel 3%. It’s just as nourishing as exfoliating.

This spicy, deliciously smelling peel is jam-packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The antioxidant-rich pumpkin actives stimulate cell renewal, lifts discoloration, and diminish the appearance of large pores. And if that wasn’t enough, this peel combines the stimulating glycolic action of Bilberry and Clove to accelerate cellular turnover, smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce hyperpigmentation. I love using this on the top of my knees too, yes, unfortunately hitting 50 means old knees too.

Learn More About Chemical Peels

If you’d like to learn more about the chemical peels I offer and find out if any of them can turn back the clock on your aging skin, give me a call at 970-925-2278. You can also schedule an appointment in person and virtually by using my Heaven on Earth Aspen online scheduler.