“Am I a good candidate for a chemical peel?” At Russak+, and in aesthetics in general, we are asked this question on almost a daily basis. The answer is always a resounding YES! Below, a few other things we think you should know about chemical peels and finding a good fit for you.
Rule 1. There is a chemical peel out there for everyone.
The first rule of Chemical Peels 101, is that we can all benefit from a chemical peel. Whether you have the most sensitive skin imaginable or are struggling with oily or wrinkled skin, there is a peel out there for you. As expert aestheticians, our job is to understand your skin needs. We’re trained to select the peels that will help you achieve your goals, be that to diminish fine lines or the appearance of acne scars or to get a quick ‘glow’ with minimal downtime before a big event.
Rule 2. Chemical peels don’t have to involve a lot of downtime.
Speaking of downtime, many patients hear the word ‘peel’ and immediately think of sloughing skin and days of hiding behind sunglasses and a baseball cap. But just because the treatment is called a peel, does not mean there has to be a lot of skin shedding involved. Different skin concerns call for different peels and ‘peel action’, much of which can be invisible to the naked eye. An example? Lactic acid and gentle glycolic acid peels are perfect for those patients who have little or no downtime but are looking for a lighter, brighter and more even skin tone. With these peels, you’ll have that glow in just 15 minutes. The bonus? You can get these chemical peels done more frequently for a sustained ‘glowy’ look, and head back to work or out to dinner immediately after your treatment without a second thought. Just remember to keep out of the sun!
Rule 3. If you’re open to it (and a good candidate), we can go strong for more advanced correction.
Of course, some patients want to do what it takes to see more correction right away, whether that’s to tackle unwanted pigment, acne-prone skin and scarring, or fine lines. And there are peels to address these concerns too. The Jessner peel is a great option for addressing these areas of concern, usually with minimal flaking (most patients just use a little moisturizer for a few days post-procedure.)
But for those who want to take that next step, a TCA peel (a.k.a Trichloroacetic Acid) can achieve a more dramatic result. For patients who don’t have time in their schedule for multiple treatments, but can allow a few days for shedding, this is the option for you. You’ll look like you got a bad sunburn and skin will feel tight for a few hours, then crack within 24-hours post-treatment so that dead skin can peel off over a few days, all to reveal a newer, brighter you!
Rule 4. Always schedule a consultation to speak to our experts.
Knowing what chemical peel is best for you is half the battle. Our number one piece of advice? Speak up about your concerns and needs when you’re meeting with your technician before you start any procedure so that they can guide you towards your ultimate goal: having beautiful skin. And when in doubt? Book a skin consultation with us so we can find out which peel would be best for you!
