Light Chemical Peels FAQ


 
AHA Radiance or Enzyme Peel 30 mins $65
AHA Peel & Extractions Acne Treatment 45 mins $75
AHA Peel & Classic Facial 60 mins $110

CHEMICAL PEELS

There has been a lot of interest in Peels lately with lots of enquiries regarding peels to remove pigment/ age spots/ wrinkles / acne or acne scarring and what are the different types of peel?

A consultation is a must to determine which peel would best suit your current skin condition.

Depending on your skin issues Chemical Peels can really improve many skin imperfections.

They can be used to restore a youthful, vibrant appearance to wrinkly, blotchy, sundamaged skin. Acne and acne scarring also respond really well to mild peels as the acids help to deep clean the pores, correct skin pH and generally improve the health of the skin.

Images Beauty Therapy Clinic offers a variety of Peels to our clients.

WHAT ARE PEELS?

A peel or exfoliant is a skin treatment that removes the top layers of your skin (epidermis).

chemical peel is a treatment technique used to improve and smooth the texture of the skin using a chemical solution that causes the top layers to soften then slowly slough off or peel off.

There are three main types of chemical face peels – light, medium and deep chemical peels.

A light peel treats the Epidermis, improves acne scars, skin texture and reduces effects of sun damage. The most commonly used Chemical Acids used in the Beauty Industry are the Alpha Hydroxy (AHA) or naturally occurring fruit or food acids. This peel is extremely easy with little or no recovery period.

A medium peel improves acne, smoothes fine surface wrinkles and corrects pigment problems. A medium peel penetrates the Epidermis and can penetrate into the Dermis. For more intensive Peels Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Salicylic Acid and Tri-Chloro- Acetic Acid (TCA) is used.

Recovery after a medium peel takes approximately 7 to 10 days with skin appearing firstly discoloured (darkened) and then after 3 days the skin gradually flakes off in gradually revealing a fresh new skin surface.

Visit our Medium Peel Page

Deep peels help treat sun-damaged skin, deep coarse wrinkles and pre-cancerous growths.

A Deep Peel penetrates deep into the dermis layer. Phenol Peels are used in the Medical Beauty Industry and are performed under medical supervision by doctors only and in Hospital conditions with Full Anaesthesia. (Beauty Therapists cannot perform this depth of peel). Recovery can also be an issue requiring days, weeks or months to return skin to its natural appearance so it is important to be aware what you are wanting to achieve.

Understanding Skin and Peels

Your skin has lots of layers. Skin is divided into 3 main layers – the Epidermis, the Dermis and the Subcutaneous layer.

The top layer is the epidermis. The Epidermis is then divided into 5 layers – the top most or outer layer – Stratum Corneum, then Lucidum, Granulosum, Spinosum, and then the Basal at the very lowest layer sitting on top of the Dermis and Subcutaneous layers.

It is primarily the Stratum Corneum that Peels are treating. The Stratum Corneum is the top “Dead” layer of skin.

It has been calculated we have approximately 40 + layers of epidermis – a layer of new skin cells for each day.

This fresh layer is only alive briefly for that “day” until the next new layer is created.

It takes about 6 weeks to replace all the layers. We make a new layer of epidermis cells (in the basal layer) and we shed a layer of old epidermis cells (corneum) every day. As we age our skin slows this process down.

Therefore, if we peel a few layers from the top outermost layers, we refresh the skin surface.

We get rid of the oldest skin to be replaced by younger skin cells underneath.

Regular exfoliation is known to speed the renewal processes of the skin.

It is the replacement of the skin that is rejuvenating the skin surface and improving texture, colour and moisture – ie feel, look and softness of your skin.

Pigmentation is mainly found in the epidermis layers of the skin and exfoliation (natural or therapeutic treatments) removes the pigmented skin cells thus revealing younger less pigmented skin – hence, lightening the skin colour. Remember we darken (tan) during summer and the skin gradually lightens as the Tanned skin is shed.

Manual Exfoliation or Peel

  • Rubbing your skin surface with a rough substance scratches the top most layers off
  • Using a scrub is a common way to remove layers of skin.
  • Brushes, mitts, sanding discs and pedi-paddles are other manual methods used to remove excess skin – think callused heels on feet.
  • Microdermabrasion is just another form of scrubbing the skin – but in a very mechanical way.
  • Dermabrasion was an old method of skin refinement with skin literally sanded off under anaesthetic in an operating theatre!
 

Enzyme Peels

A good alternative to Acid Peels is an Enzyme Peel – which uses Papain Enzyme from Papaya and Bromelain Enzyme from Pineapple.

Pumpkin enzyme peel is also becoming popular. Enzymes breakdown protein and gently dissolve the skin surface cells.

Timing is crucial with enzymes as they have a limited activity and once the enzyme solution dries it becomes inactive.

These treatments can speed up natural chemical reactions in the skin that renew skin cells while exfoliating dead cells.

Enzymes are also reported to diminish scars, age spots, fine lines, and discoloration, and may also penetrate the skin to cleanse pores and improve skin tone and texture.

The most amazing thing about enzyme peels is that they do not damage or remove live tissue!

They exfoliate ONLY dead cells, which is a big reason why enzyme peels are great for nearly all skin types.

Because there is no injury to live skin, there’s no down time – so no hiding out in the dark at home for days on end!

AHA’s or LIGHT CHEMICAL PEELS OR AHA’S

Also known as Fruit Acid or AHA Acid Peels or AHA chemical peels, a light chemical peel is a non-invasive treatment that removes the upper layers of dead and damaged skin and encourages skin cell regeneration. This type of peel provides gentle treatment for fine lines, acne, chronic dry skin, and uneven pigmentation.

What is a Light Chemical Peel?

Light chemical peels contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids.

Therapist’s who perform light chemical peels select an appropriate chemical solution (or mix of solutions) based on each client’s needs.

AHA’s penetrate into the skin and it is the combination of dilution percentage % strength and the pH or acidity that determines the depth and effect upon the skin cells. It is the strength of the AHA acid that causes a mild or strong CHEMICAL BURN. A Light Chemical peel requires only a mild solution to cause the skin to soften and breakdown; the skin then falls off. A strong strength of acid will cause the skin to soften too much and cause a severe burn effect.

This is why Beauty Therapists recommend the use of gentle strength peels than strong peels to avoid skin damage.

Chemical peels primarily containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids may be referred to as “AHA chemical peels”.

Alpha

Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are derived from fruit, sugar, sour milk, and other natural sources. AHA chemical peels often contain:

  • Glycolic acid (extracted from sugar cane) Strongest, deepest and fastest activity
  • Lactic acid (extracted from milk) slower activity and moisturising
  • Malic acid (extracted from pears and apples) mild acid
  • Citric acid (extracted from oranges and lemons) common food acid
  • Tartaric acid (extracted from grapes) common food acid
  • Combination – Joyce Blok Radiance Peel (Lactic & Salicylic Gel Peel)
 

Regardless of the specific type, Alpha Hydroxy Acids gently rejuvenate the skin and encourage skin cell regeneration with little or no irritation or discomfort. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and other alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) in lower concentrations are so gentle, in fact, that they are common ingredients in home skin care products, and clients who undergo a light chemical peel may be asked to use such products to improve on their results.

Candidates for Light Chemical Peels

Good candidates for light chemical peels are patients who have relatively mild skin imperfections and conditions, and who want to rejuvenate and enhance the appearance of their skin without the recovery time of harsher treatments. Fruit acid peels (AHA chemical peels) are a safe and effective way to improve the look of sun-damaged skin, and they are helpful in reducing mild acne scars and fine lines. Because these light chemical peels exfoliate the surface of the skin and unclog pores, they are also considered an effective type of Acne treatment

Prior to a Chemical Peel – what to do?

It is recommended that any person beginning chemical peels should have a consultation first with a patch test and that they use Homecare Products containing weaker strengths of AHA for 2 weeks prior. UV protection MUST be used every day prior to and after and always when using AHA’s Products

Application of Light Peels

In preparation for a light chemical peel, the client’s skin is first gently cleansed to remove any oil and makeup. A prep solution is used to “de-fat” the skin and allow a deeper penetration of the acid gel or solution. Then the chemical solution or gel is applied to the targeted areas. The specific formulation and concentration of the AHA solution depend on the client’s needs. As the chemical solution works on the skin, the client will typically feel a warm tingling or stinging sensation. After the chemical solution has been on the skin for the prescribed amount of time (1 to 10 minutes), the therapist will wash it away with water and apply a soothing lotion. The entire process of a light chemical peel usually takes about 30 minutes, and the client typically experiences little or no skin redness or other side effects. After a light chemical peel, the client can expect to return to daily activities immediately. Multiple treatments are usually necessary to achieve optimal results.

Light Peel Recovery

Light chemical peel side effects are few, and in most cases light chemical peels require no recovery time, you should be able to return to work or everyday activities immediately after treatment. Most clients experience a gradual smoothing, improved tone, texture, and pigmentation over the next 3 days After your peel, your therapist will give you guidelines to follow to help ensure the success of your treatment. Generally, patients are instructed to use a gentle cleanser and specified moisturizing lotion, and to avoid exposing the treated skin to the sun. You should see further improvement as your course of treatments progresses.

Are Multiple Light Peels Required to Achieve Desired Results?

Unlike deep chemical peels, which require only one session, patients generally undergo five to eight light chemical peels to achieve optimal results.

Best results occur when performed close together on a weekly basis and Multi Peel Packages are available.

Just as the formulation of the light chemical peel solution is customized for each patient, the number, spacing and gradual increase in strength of the treatments varies according to individualized treatment plan for each client.

To learn about the ideal treatment for your particular skin enhancement needs, it is best to have a consultation with your therapist.

Light Peel Do’s and Don’ts!!

  • You might experience some initial tingling or mild itching, and a pink hot glow may appear. If this sensation is too unpleasant tell us to stop. – We can easily neutralize AHA Peels.
  • Do not forget sun block, Chemical peel treatments gently peel layers of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin exposing more delicate skin cells to the sun’s harmful rays. It is therefore imperative that a sun block be used (all year) to prevent sun damage and potential for hyper pigmentation (dark blotches). With proper sun protection Chemical peel’s can be used all year round.
  • To improve results Images provide AHA or AHA/ BHA Homecare Products, which enable you to continue a gentle strength chemical peel treatment between Professional Strength Chemical Peels.
  • For optimum results, 6 x weekly peels should be performed along with homecare and introduction of good skin care routines and products to improve the appearance of many skin conditions.
  • To avoid or treat pigmentation problems we recommend using products containing Vitamin C, Liquorice or Bearberry Extracts or other Hyperpigmentation inhibiting Products. (Pigment Inhibitors.)
  • Never start with the Strongest Peel available – always gently increase the strength from a Gentle Percentage and climb the various strengths as your skin adapts and improves.
 

Contraindications

i.e. health problems that could stop or interfere with a Facial Procedure

Sun Burn, Burns and Skin Disorders, Severe Active Acne, Open cuts & Abrasions, Bruises & Swelling, Active herpes (cold sores), Conjunctivitis, Severe Eczema and Psoriasis, Impetigo (staphylococcus infection),Fungal Infection, Extreme Allergic Sensitivity. Recent Operations or Skin Injuries (less than 6 Months), Hepatitis

Health conditions that require treatment modification

Pregnancy, Cancer, Diabetes, Rosacea, Organ Transplant, Allergies, Roacutane and Retin A, Mild Acne.

Book an Appointment

Let us take you on a journey…after all you deserve it and the only permission you need is your own…

Top