A peel is natural exfoliation stimulated by an active chemical solution.
At my office, we conduct superficial or medium peels.
The different types of peel
A superficial peel instantly brightens the skin and does not require any social downtime. The result is comparable to that of a scrub removing dead epidermal cells.
A medium peel reaches the layers of the dermis and naturally exfoliates by activating cell renewal. Various peels exist to target different types of problems: fine wrinkles, pigmentation spots, or even acne. At the office, peels are carried out without a local anesthetic immediately after cleansing the skin.
Deep peels are more painful procedures that must be carried out in an operating theatre under mild sedation for greater comfort.
What does a peel involve?
There are 2 types of peel: regular peels that require the skin to be prepared several days before the session to optimize the action of the peel, and nanopeels that require no preparation of the skin. Indeed, the nanoparticles in the peel penetrate deeper than regular treatments and there is no need to use other products to optimize the treatment.
After cleansing the skin, the peel is applied with the fingers (nanopeels) or a brush (regular peel). At this point, you will feel some discomfort, heat, even mild burning of the skin. This will very quickly disipate and is completely neutralized when the neutralizer is applied. Repairing cream is then immediately applied.
How will my skin react after the procedure?
There is no social downtime after a superficial peel but after a medium peel your skin may be a little red for two to three days. Mild peeling is observed hence the name peel.
For a peel, three or four sessions about 15 days apart are necessary as one session is not enough. Additionally, you must stay out of the sun after a peel to avoid hyperpigmentation, namely the appearance of dark spots linked to sun exposure (even brief) after the treatment.
This treatment is a “surface” treatment and will not restore the architecture of the face. The architecture of the face can only be improved using structural treatments that can combine hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin or even require a surgical procedure such as a lift.
What is the aim of a peel?
The aim of a peel is to improve the texture and quality of the skin (wrinkles and dark spots) but a peel will not improve skin hydration.
Indeed, a peel even tends to dry out the skin. It is like a sort of controlled, dosed superficial burn but a mild burn all the same. For this reason, peels are totally advised against for fragile skin that will be further weakened by this type of treatment.
In the case of very fragile or very sensitive skin, moisturizing and redensifying treatments such as microneedling or mesotherapy should be preferred.