We know what you’re thinking. Chemical peels in winter? Groundbreaking. But we mean it when we say the new year is the ideal time to get a chemical peel!
And why is that exactly? Well, chemical peels are a highly effective skin resurfacing treatment, literally perfect for restoring your skin and giving it a smoother, younger-looking appearance. Specifically, they’re great for treating acne, scarring, signs of aging, and more.
About chemical peels
So, what precisely makes the results of a chemical peel in Rogers so transformative? Even more basic: what is a chemical peel?
Chemical peels remove damaged skin for a more even and radiant complexion with a chemical peel in Rogers. This aesthetic treatment is applied like a mask and encourages the skin to shed its outermost layer, revealing younger, brighter, smoother skin.
Chemical peels are a highly effective treatment for resurfacing the skin and combating:
- Acne scars
- Skin discoloration
- Uneven skin tone
- Hyperpigmentation
- Aging skin/spots
- Actinic Keratosis
- Freckles
- Enlarged pores
Chemical peels can be categorized in 3 ways: superficial, medium-depth, and deep. This has to do with the specific ingredients and indicates how deeply the mask will penetrate your skin. Deeper penetration allows the peel to treat more severe conditions but will involve more downtime.
For example, those without major acne scars, sun spots, or wrinkles may benefit more from a superficial chemical peel, but those who struggle with age spots and actinic keratosis may need a deep formula.
What makes different types of chemical peels effective?
Chemical peels use low-strength acid, a chemical exfoliant, to gently remove the outermost layers of dull, dead skin and reveal new radiant, smooth skin underneath. Chemical exfoliants can also promote collagen production deeper underneath the skin’s surface to combat texture, fine lines, and wrinkles.
The two most common exfoliants used in chemical peels are alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA). AHAs are water-soluble and naturally occurring. One example is Glycolic acid, which is derived from sugar cane and is one of the best-tolerated AHAs used in many skincare products.
BHAs, more often used in medium to deep chemical peels, are oil soluble, allowing them to penetrate deeper into your pores.
Types of chemical peels at Renew Aesthetics
Okay, so Sex & the City kind of gave chemical peels a bad rap. We all remember Samantha’s raw bacon face. Yikes. But you don’t have to worry about coming away sizzled.
At Renew Aesthetics, a chemical peel in Rogers is a customizable treatment, and we will work with you to build the exact peel experience you want. How do we do this? ✨Science ✨
That was only like 28% a joke. See, your skin is made up of a bunch of different layers of tissue. The two outermost of these layers of your skin are the epidermis and the dermis. Different chemical peels are categorized by how deeply they can penetrate your skin and which layers the chemical exfoliants encourage your skin to shed. As we mentioned above, there are 3 general strengths of peel:
Superficial chemical peels
Superficial, or light, chemical peels are very gentle; the main exfoliant used in these types of chemical peels is an AHA-like glycolic acid, which penetrates the outermost layer of skin.
With a light peel, any redness and irritation you experience while recovering should be very minimal. The recovery period is typically only a few days to a week of limited product use and sun exposure.
Light peels are ideal for first-time clients or those who have sensitive skin and are best suited to address:
- Fine lines
- Acne
- Acne scarring
- Unwanted texture
- Uneven skin tone
Because this type of chemical peel in Rogers is so gentle, we recommend repeated treatments up to once a month for the best (and lasting) results.
The Superficial Peels we offer include: VI Peel, & the Radiance Peel series (part of our RenewSkin skincare line).
Medium-depth chemical peels
Medium-depth peels require a longer recovery period but produce more dramatic results after a single treatment. Immediately following your peel, you may experience redness, irritation, and flakiness as your skin sheds its dead and dull exterior to reveal a refreshed and rejuvenated you. Redness may persist for a couple of weeks to a month.
This type of chemical peel is ideal for clients with more pronounced skin concerns such as:
- Acne scars
- Lines and wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation
- Sunspots
As a rule, you should repeat medium-depth chemical peels every 4 to 6 months to maintain your results. If your skin is more or less sensitive, your Renew Aesthetics provider will work with you to build a more customized timeline!
The medium-depth peels we offer include: VI Peel, & ZO 3 Step Peels.
Deep chemical peels
Involving the most powerful ingredients to penetrate your skin through the dermis, deep chemical peels are reserved for clients with extensive:
- Sun damage
- Wrinkles
- Scarring
- Precancerous growths
As opposed to medium peels, the results from a deep chemical peel are highly transformative and can last for years. You read that right: YEARS.
Naturally, though, these types of chemical peels also require a longer and more careful recovery process. This will include limiting your skincare products, exposure to the sun, and exercise. The exact recovery period varies for each patient.
But don’t worry; your Renew provider will talk you through what you can expect from the recovery process for a chemical peel in Rogers during your consultation. As a rule, peeling and (sometimes) crusting usually persist for 2-3 weeks, with redness lasting around 6 weeks.
How to choose the type of chemical peel for you
Chemical peels are not one size fits all! Choosing which type of chemical peel is right for you can be a balancing act between many different factors. That’s where we come in; skincare professionals from Renew Aesthetics will consult with you to outline your goals and build a personalized treatment plan.
Skin history
All elements of your skin’s health history are essential considerations in choosing which chemical peel best suits you. Skin sensitivity, the propensity to pigment or scar easily, and skin type (dry, normal, or oily) contribute to predicting how a chemical peel could affect you. For example, those with sensitive skin will need a lighter, more gentle peel.
Treatment goals
As we’ve learned, different types of chemical peels lend themselves to specific treatment results. Understanding your treatment goals, whether it’s smoothing fine lines or reducing the appearance of scars, helps our providers make personalized recommendations that match your unique needs.
Treatment goals are also going to change depending on the timeline you’re trying to work within. Your Renew Aesthetics provider will discuss that with you. Prepping for an event? Wanting better skin before summer? Those two scenarios will prompt different treatment recommendations! So it’s important to approach your care with flexible short-term treatment goals.
That way, your provider can work with you to achieve your desired outcomes as fast (and safely) as possible on your timeline.
Client lifestyle
Your lifestyle is essential when considering your recovery process after a chemical peel. If you’re extremely active, choosing a peel that requires a lengthy recovery time may be disruptive to your routine; you may prefer a light peel that requires only a few days of downtime. It’s all a balancing act.
When to get a chemical peel
A chemical peel can be the perfect way to achieve radiant, glowing skin before an event—just be mindful of how far in advance you need to schedule your treatment. For a light peel, allow yourself at least a month for recovery.
If you’re opting for a medium peel, allow for 3-4 months. Unless you can begin planning around a year in advance, a deep chemical peel is not a great idea right before an event. This is likely where Samantha Jones went wrong.
Traditionally, fall and winter are the best seasons for chemical peels because avoiding sun exposure is key in the recovery process; however, with diligent sun protection, one can safely reap the benefits of a chemical peel any time of the year.
How to prepare for a chemical peel in Rogers
Once you’ve chosen the strength of peel that’s right for you, it’s time to start prepping for your chemical peel appointment.
Here are four steps you should take to ensure a fast recovery and beautiful chemical peel results.
Consult with your provider
It’s essential to consult with your aesthetics provider before your chemical peel about any skin sensitivities and current medications before your treatment. Certain antibiotics, acne medications like isotretinoin, and other oral medications may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the chemical exfoliants in your peel. If you take antiviral medication for cold sores, you may also want to disclose this to your provider.
When you schedule a consultation with the Renew Aesthetics team, we’ll review this with you again. It’s not on you to remember what you read in this blog and come in with a list. We’ll walk you through what to expect and precisely what we need to know 😊
Protect your skin from heavy sun exposure
Avoiding sun exposure is a helpful tip before and after your chemical peel. And yes, this includes tanning beds! Make sure to protect your face using broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage SPF of 30 or higher for at least 10 days leading up to your treatment.
Making sure to protect your skin from the sun properly is a skincare habit you can employ year-round, not just to prepare for a chemical peel in Rogers. Daily topical SPF is an easy way to lock in moisture and slow signs of aging.
Avoid other chemical treatments
If you’re like us and love following a daily skincare routine, check your moisturizers, serums, and creams for chemical exfoliants like retinol and hydroxy acids. To avoid over-exfoliation, pause on these products leading up to your chemical peel, and wait until your skin fully heals before resuming use.
Adding these ingredients back into your regimen before your skin is ready may cause adverse side effects after your peel, like flakiness, redness, or irritation.
Don’t double up on treatments
For the week leading up to your treatment, you should avoid any potentially irritating facial treatments, including waxing, plucking, shaving, microneedling, dermaplaning, and laser treatments.
Some of these treatments, like dermaplaning, can actually be an efficient way to prepare your skin for a VI Peel. Just be sure to schedule your session at least two weeks prior to your peel in order to avoid side effects like itching, flaking, or irritation. Any Botox or Dermal Filler treatments should also be scheduled at least two weeks in advance of your peel.
After a chemical peel, your skin needs time to complete the restoration and healing process without the interference of additional treatments and products. If you’re planning additional treatments, be sure to space them out from your chemical peel accordingly.
Rejuvenate your skin with Renew Aesthetics!
With our individualized treatment plans, one-on-one consultations, and superior care, Renew Aesthetics champions our patients. You never have to question whether you are our top priority.
We serve patients from all over the area, including:
- Rogers
- Bentonville
- Springdale
- Fayetteville
- And more!
Book a consultation to chat with our specialists about a chemical peel in Rogers. We’ll sit down, get to know you, and discuss treatment options. We treat every patient individually with customized treatment plans tailored to their personal needs and goals.
Contact us online or by phone at 479.668.0168 to learn more about our skin services at Renew Aesthetics.
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