There are few types of chemical peels:
PCA PEELS
The PCA peel is special blend of naturally occurring AHA?s (fruit acids) that incorporates Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Kojic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Hyroquinone. These ingredients combine synergistically to not only exfoliate the outer superficical cell layer (stratum corneum), but at the same time, lighten and even out the overall skin tone.
Alpha Hydroxyacid Peels - AHA
Alpha hydroxyacids (AHA) are naturally occurring organic carboxylic acids such as glycolic acid, a natural constituent of sugar cane juice and lactic acid, found in sour milk and tomato juice. This is the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels for treatment of fine wrinkles,areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Alpha hydroxyacids can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin's texture.
Trichloroacetic Acid Peels - TCA
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used as an intermediate to deep peeling agent in concentrations ranging from 20-50%. Depth of penetration is increased as concentration increases, with 50% TCA penetrating into the reticular dermis. Concentrations higher than 35% are not recommended because of the high risk of scarring.
Phenol Peels
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep skin peel. Recent studies suggest that phenol is most likely only the carrier for another active component in the solution, namely croton oil. In fact, phenol alone produces only a light peel which is ineffective for restructuring the deeper dermal structures (such as wrinkles). The term Phenol/Croton oil peel has been proposed as a more accurate descriptor, but the established terminology phenol peel continues to be the dominant usage, as the role of croton oil in the mix is not as widely understood.
Effects of a phenol chemical peel are long lasting, and in some cases are still readily apparent up to 20 years following the procedure. Improvements in the patient?s skin can be quite dramatic. A single treatment usually achieves the desired result.
Back to Top
A chemical peel can restore a more youthful appearance to wrinkled, unevenly pigmented, sun-damaged, or blotchy skin. Table below shoe benefit broken by chemical peel type.
| PCA Peel |
AHA - Alpha Hydroxyacid Peels |
TCA - Trichloroacetic acid |
Phenol peels |
- improve the texture of sun-damaged skin
- reduces fine surface wrinkles
- reduce uneven pigmentation
- improve dry, sallow skin
- reduce acne prone or excessively oily skin
- improve dehydrated or environmentally damaged skin
|
- reduce fine wrinkling
- treat areas of dryness
- reduce uneven pigmentation
- aid in the control of acne
- smooth rough dry skin
- improve the texture of sun-damaged skin
|
- are referred for darker-skinned patients over Phenol
- smooth out fine surface wrinkles
- remove superficial blemishes
- correct skin pigment problems
|
- correct blotches caused by sun exposure or aging
- smooth out coarse deep wrinkles
- remove precancerous growths
|
Back to Top
There is no downtime whatsoever with Physician?s Choice? chemical peels. You can actually receive a peel on your lunch hour and return to work.
Back to Top
Everyone?s experience will be different. However, on an average, you will see flaking by day two or three following the treatment. It is possible to see flaking for up to five or six days. With all Physician?s Choice? peels, only light to medium exfoliation will be experienced.
Back to Top
PCA peels are only slightly irritating. You may experience mild burning or stinging, which is transient.
Back to Top
The PCA Peel? HQ Free is for sensitive skin types, ethnic skin, those allergic to hydroquinone or not looking to lighten the skin. The PCA Peel? w/HQ has a stronger lightening ability; it will help even out the skin tone. The PCA Peel? w/ HQ and Resorcinol is for most resilient skin types and will provide more exfoliation. This formula is great for someone who has reached a plateau with monthly treatments and needs a more aggressive treatment.
Back to Top
The Ultra Peel? is less sensitizing than the PCA Peel? due to the complexity of the formula. The PCA Peel? has more of a drying effect and the Ultra Peel? has a more moisturizing effect. The PCA Peel? formulas have more instant lightening ability, whereas, the Ultra Peel? lightening process is more gradual.
Back to Top
Ultra Peel? II will ensure more flaking and peeling post-treatment. It can be applied after any Physician?s Choice? treatment or it can be very mild treatment used alone.
Back to Top
Resorcinol is an antiseptic, antifungal, astrigent and flaking agent. The PCA Peel? w/HQ and Resorcinol is excellent on active acne, smoker?s skin, oily, thick, resilient skin and hand and arm treatments.
Back to Top
There are different ways to enhance your results by using Physician?s Choice? chemical peels with microdermabrasion. One method: apply Ultra Peel? I four days before a microdermabrasion treatment. Following the microdermabrasion treatment apply Ultra Peel? II; or all in the same day administer microdermabrasion then apply Ultra Peel? I and II; or do microdermabrasion then apply Ultra Peel? I, Hemoglobe-I (Step 2 from the Oxy Trio) and then Ultra Peel? II.
Back to Top
The Pumpkin Peel is best used for asphyxiated skin or acne. It provides nutrient input and will brighten the skin. It?s also great on very sun damaged skin that has lumps and bumps.
Back to Top
The PCA Peel?, Ultra Peel? I and II, or Supra Peel? can all be used in conjunction with the Oxy Trio, however, not all at the same time.
Back to Top
Yes, only if they are compliant with using sunscreen protection. If you are getting peels to lighten the skin, pHaze 13 Light N?Block? Pigment Cream (SPF 25+) is ideal to reduce any chance of further hyperpigmentation.
Back to Top
Someone who frequently works out can have any peel but must wait 48 hours after the treatment to exercise. If you don?t want to wait, the Non-Burning Facial Peel is a great choice. This treatment uses our Ultra Peel? II which is an acid-free, time-released retinol cream. It has a delayed flaking action that creates no irritation or downtime and leaves the skin glowing and hydrated.
Back to Top
If your skin is dry and thin, often there is a buildup of dead cells that actually keeps your home care products from penetrating. Having an Ultra Peel? treatment will remove the surface buildup, hydrate the skin and give it a more plump, "thicker" appearance. The use of Vitamin C products in the treatment, as well as in your home care program, will help to build the collagen in your skin, thus making it stronger and more durable.
Back to Top
No. We recommend only the Oxygenating Facial Trio for pregnant or lactating women.
Back to Top
We have a treatment designed specifically for rosacea that incorporates products from from our Pumpkin Peel, Oxgenating Trio and Supra Peel?. It helps to unclog the pores, smooth the surface of the skin and promote healing. This treatment could be don as often as every two weeks.
Back to Top
We generally recommend that Retin-A? use be stopped five days prior to a peel and five days post treatment because of potential irritation and uneven peel penetration. Accutane? users tend to have very dry and sensitive skin and need to be treated only with peels that are appropriate for their skin type. We have found that the Physician?s Choice? peel solutions are Accutane? friendly. However, your skin care specialist should always be made aware of any Retin-A? or Accutane? use.
Back to Top
Ultra Peel? is effective because of its formulation, but works in a way that does not traumatize the skin like traditional, straight TCA peels. As with all other Physician?s Choice? peels, there is no downtime. Following an Ultra Peel?, the skin is glowing and hydrated; exfoliation occurs more as flaking.
Back to Top
Glycolic acid will dehydrate skin and make pores larger after extended use. PCA uses lactic and citric acids which are skin-friendly because they are natural constituents of your skin. Physician?s Choice? peels are unique because they are moisturizing and hydrating and leave your skin fresh, soft and supple, the way it wants to be!
Back to Top
A chemical peel solution may be applied to your entire face or just to certain regions, such as the crow's feet area around your eyes or the vertical wrinkles around your mouth. All chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to remove the outer layers of skin so that a smoother, more evenly pigmented, glowing layer of skin can appear. There are three basic categories of chemical peels. Each type works differently, and produces different results. Celluline estheticians will apply the solution using a sponge, a cotton pad or sometimes, for smaller areas, a cotton swab or brush. With certain types of chemical peels, the solution may be "neutralized" after an appropriate amount of time has elapsed.
Back to Top
Chemical peels can enhance the appearance of facial and other skin on men and women of all ages.
The best candidates are those with fair, thin skin, light-haired that has a tendency toward fine wrinkling or scarring on the face. Deeper chemical peels are usually not recommended for highly pigmented skin, such as Asian, black and East Mediterranean. Individuals with sagging and excessive skin are not candidates for this procedure since chemical peeling improves skin quality but does not reduce excess skin. Light Chemical Peel can be performed on almost everyone.
In general, the best candidates for chemical peels are people:
? In good physical health.
? Wanting to look younger and more refreshed.
? Unhappy with the appearance of wrinkles or brown spots, especially around mouth or eyes.
? Free of active skin infections, including most kinds of acne.
? Not taking Accutane, nor have taken it for the previous 18 months.
? Free from large or unusual scar formations, such as keloids.
? Non-pregnant women
Back to Top
PCA, AHA and TCA peels for the full face generally take 15 - 25 minutes. It has often been referred to as "the lunch time peel".
Back to Top
For Chemical Peels prices click here.
Back to Top
Many individuals find that a peel performed every four to six weeks gives optimal results. Glycolic acid peels complement the regular use of other products such as glycolic acid containing preparations that can be used on a regular basis at home. The short term exposure of a higher concentration of glycolic acid on a periodic basis helps maintain skin health and appearance.
Back to Top
After receiving your chemical peel, you may experience some light flaking in a few localized areas for up to five days and slight redness for one to twelve hours. Although you may or may not actually "peel" during the first one or two treatments, you will probably experience slight exfoliation and your skin will feel tight and pulled.
Patients should always follow the Home Care Regimen sheet provided by their technician, but the following post-treatment tips are also recommended to maximize the benefits to your skin:
- Do not apply any medications following treatment not recommended by your technician, including AHA products.
- It is ideal to let the skin stabilize and rest overnight, but makeup can be applied following the treatment if absolutely necessary.
- Avoid direct sun exposure and excessive heat. Use your pHaze 6+ Hydrator Plus (SPF 15) or pHaze 7 Protecting Hydrator (SPF 15), pHaze 13 Light N? Block? Pigment Cream (SPF 25+) or pHaze 8 Face and Body Hydrator (SPF 15) for daily sunscreen protection.
- Do no pick at or pull on any loosening or exfoliating skin. This could potentially cause hyperpigmentation.
- Home use of Pigment Gel? is recommended twice a day to continue lightening hyperpigmented areas.
- Do NOT go to a tanning booth for a least three weeks before or after a treatment.
- Discontinue the use of Retin-A?/Renova? or Differin? for seven days after treatment.
- Do not have electrolysis, collagen injections, facial waxing or use depilatories for approximately five days after the treatment.
- Do not schedule another treatment until your technician advises you to do so.
For Two Days Following:
- Do not apply ice or water to the treated areas.
- Do not put the face directly into a hot shower spray. Do not use Jacuzzis, steam rooms or saunas.
- Do not go swimming or participate in activities that would cause excessive perspiration.
- Do not use Buff-Puff?s or other means of mechanical exfoliation.
- Do not direct a hair dryer onto the treated area.
- Stay cool! Getting heated internally can cause hyperpigmentation.
Back to Top
