Clinical Peels Information
Clinical Peels – Progressive not aggressive treatments
It is often thought that if a little of something is good then more must be better. This is especially untrue when it comes to treating the skin. Inflammation is the underlying cause of many skin conditions we work to treat. Triggering irritation and inflammation in the skin with overly aggressive peeling treatments and products may worsen reactive or problematic skin conditions rather than correct them.
It is a common misconception that professional peels must always be aggressive solutions in high percentages that result in excessive visible peeling, scabbing and downtime to obtain quick results. This may be appropriate for specific conditions such as extremely thickened or asphyxiated skins and severe scarring perhaps, but is not necessary for the majority of patients looking for skin rejuvenation.
By selecting professional peeling treatments that are gentle on the skin while infusing it with beneficial nourishing and strengthening ingredients, faster, more dramatic treatment outcomes will consistently be achieved.
If the goal is healthy, beautiful skin then the low dose approach is usually the best choice. To optimise results, professional treatments must be supported with a customised skin maintenance program. A combination of products containing UV protection, Vitamin A, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, Growth Factors, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and peptides are essential to maintain skin health and target particular skin conditions.
In young skin, natural skin cell turnover usually follows the four week biological calendar like many other body cycles, however the speed of the cell-turnover cycle slows with age. Collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which comprise a large part of the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM) or support structure, also decrease with time, leading to dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles.
The progressive, not aggressive approach to professional treatments and products increases the skin’s natural skin cell turnover rate while combating the visible changes that come with ageing. The result is smoother, brighter, more even-looking youthful skin.
Number of Treatments
As with all non-invasive skin treatments the Clinical Peeling treatments need to be administered in a routine manner. Better results will be seen if the treatment is performed every 2 weeks (mild treatments) or 4 weeks (advanced treatments) for a series of six treatments. Once a full treatment course has been completed it is recommended that a maintenance program be implemented, these treatments should be performed every 6 to 8 weeks. It is also recommended to continue with hydrating medi-facial treatments in between Clinical Peeling treatments for the most superior results.
Suitable Skin Conditions
Clinical Peels have been clinically proven to significantly reduce the appearance of:
wrinkles
fine lines
diffused redness and telangiectasia
scarring • stretch marks
age/sun spots and hyperpigmentation
enlarged and clogged pores
breakouts
flaking & dry skin
Clinical Peels Frequently Asked Questions
Are Clinical Peels safe?
Yes. As long as your skin is suitable, prepared appropriately and the recommended aftercare instructions are followed.
Do they leave the skin red and oozing (like Samantha from Sex and the City)?
No. These sort of peels are traditional peels that have more of an ablative effect. The epidermis (upper layers of the skin) is partially or completely removed and the skin will take about 2 weeks to heal.
Clinical Peels actually initiate an exfoliating response which occurs over several days whereby your epidermis is still intact. You may experience some mild pinking but it normally resolves within the hour.
What effects should I expect from a peel?
Slight sensitivity for the first 3 days and possible dryness or mild flaking from days 4 to 5. After 1 to 2 weeks the skin will feel smoother more even and brighter.
How long is my skin sensitive after a peel?
Normally 3-5 days depending on the type of peel. Sometimes you may experience flaking for up to 7 days.
Are they suitable for finer skin types?
Yes, there are several types of peels and the milder AHA or Vitamin A, B or C peels are the most suitable for finer skins.
Will my skin look dramatically different after 1 peel?
No. It takes at least 3-6 treatments to see a significant change. Depending on the skin condition it can take up to 12 treatments along with ongoing maintenance treatments.
Does it help problematic skin conditions?
Yes. The exfoliation assists with removing dead skin cell build up that can be clogging and congesting pores.
Will I breakout after a treatment?
You may. It is more common for problematic skin types to experience some breakouts after a peel. This is due to the purging of the pores as the skin exfoliates and rejuvenates. Sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better.
Will wrinkles actually reduce?
Yes. As we age and with sun damage our skin doesn’t exfoliate and renew as efficiently and leads to a build-up that gives the appearance of uneven superficial fine lines and wrinkles. Clinical Peels will speed up the exfoliation process leading to a smoother, more refined and younger looking skin allowing fresh healthy skin cells to appear.
Deep wrinkles or dynamic lines may be softened somewhat. For the most superior results it is strongly advised to follow a treatment program that includes multiple treatment types.
Do they remove freckles?
Yes. They are very effective in reducing superficial hyperpigmentation, sun damage and uneven skin colour and tone. There are several varieties of pigmentation with some very challenging to eradicate. Your skin therapist will advise you on what sort of results to expect. Sun protection is essential when treating skin discoloration disorders. A sun block will be required during and after the treatment as well as a pigment inhibiting product for ongoing prevention of future hyperpigmentation.