People often ask why winter is the best time for chemical peels. Well, a chemical peel makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. Winter is a great time to get a peel since most people spend less time outside in the winter and live in places where the sunlight is less intense during the winter.
Of course, you may want to get a peel more than once a year to get the full benefits. We hope this article helps you better understand how to time your scheduled peels as well as the benefits of getting a peel.
Like all skincare treatments, a peel isn’t for everyone. We encourage you to book a consultation with a trained professional to learn about which skincare exfoliation and rejuvenation options are best for you. In skilled hands, a peel is highly beneficial for most people for a range of reasons.
Benefits of a chemical peel
When you get a chemical peel, your provider applies a solution to your skin, which causes the top layer of the skin to peel off. In the process, it removes dead skin and debris from the outer layer of your skin, much like an exfoliating treatment revealing fresher skin. Chemical peels can reveal a smoother and more radiant complexion underneath by removing the damaged outer layers of skin.
It goes deeper than that; by shedding old, dead skin cells and revealing new fresh skin to the surface, this natural healing process stimulates cell turnover for gradual rejuvenation. While it doesn’t stop the clock, regular peels can help your skin look younger and more refreshed than if you didn’t get the peels.
Many seek chemical peels because they like the results. They help improve the skin’s texture and tone while reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. People with dry skin appreciate that peels can help. The process helps remove dry and dead skin cells, allowing moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply and work more effectively. This can lead to improved hydration and a softer, more supple skin texture.
Chemical peels can help boost collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps maintain skin’s elasticity and firmness, but its production naturally decreases with age. The mild injury caused by the peel triggers your healing process, which includes stimulating collagen production. This helps improve skin elasticity and combats sagging skin.
It’s not only older people who benefit from chemical peels. Chemical peels can be particularly beneficial for younger individuals dealing with acne. They work by exfoliating the surface of the skin and unclogging pores, which can help reduce breakouts. Light peels may be done as often as monthly to help clear up mild and moderate acne. This is within the context of a complete skincare routine, as acne has a range of causes.
A Few Types of Chemical Peels
Different brands create their own formulations, which are used during professionally administered chemical peels. A highly skilled provider is crucial, but using the right peel for your needs also helps ensure good results.
At The Skin Center, we use peel solutions formulated by Skinmedica and ZO Skin Health, as we found they offer a wide variety of peels that consistently deliver superior results. During your consultation, we will walk you through which may be best for your needs after we get to know you and your skin.
Skinmedica Family Of Peels
- Illuminize Peel is a lighter peel that helps treat sun damage, fine lines, and even skin pigment with minimal actual peeling.
- Vitalize Peel supports your consistent skincare and skin rejuvenation program with a deeper peel. It’s especially beneficial for people with acne and extensive sun damage.
- Rejuvenize Peel is an even deeper peel for those who need more intervention for their skin goals.
The ZO Skin Health Family Of Peels
- ZO Stimulator Chemical Peel is a lighter peel used to exfoliate the skin and stimulate collagen production.
- ZO 3 Step Chemical Peel is more intense, offering a cocktail of treatments to help improve deep pigmentation and melasma using a three-step process.
- ZO Control Depth Peel is an aggressive peel used to treat deep and difficult melasma, leathery skin due to sun damage and acne scarring.
While these are not the only chemical peel options available, learning about them gives you an idea of the range of issues a peel can help you address. Also, some may find they need a more intense peel at some point but can maintain results with a lighter peel. If that is the case for you, it makes sense to book the deeper peel during winter or a month when you are less likely to be out in the sun.
With that in mind, it’s easy to plan your peels when you understand what to expect before, during, and after your peel.
Pretreatment: Getting Ready for Your Peel
Your goal of pretreatment is to help prepare your skin for the peel and to cut down on potential irritants or unwanted side effects. In the week before your peel, stop using elective products that make your skin more sensitive, like Vitamin C serums, Retinols, chemical exfoliants, and skin acids. You also want to schedule your appointment for at least a week or two after Botox or other cosmetic injections.
Avoid tweezing, depilatory, or waxing your face at least a week before, and don’t use any self-tanning products either.
When you book your consultation, let your provider know about any medications and supplements you currently take, especially if any increase your photosensitivity.
What to Expect During Your Peel
The exact chemical peel process varies depending on the specific type of peel you are getting. During a chemical peel, your provider will first cleanse your skin.
Next, they’ll apply a chemical solution to your skin. The sensations you feel may include a temporary mild burning sensation that may last about five to ten minutes, followed by a tingling, stinging sensation. Your provider may apply cooling compresses for relief.
Post Treatment: Maintaining Your Results
After your chemical peel, your skin needs to heal. Part of the benefit comes from the healing process.
The severity varies depending on the type of peel used (light, medium, or deep). Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
- Redness and increased sensitivity for a few hours to a few days
- Peeling or flaking over the next few days, avoid picking or peeling off the skin manually, as it can lead to scarring.
- You may need to adjust and simplify your skincare routine to gently cleanse and moisturize your skin.
- Your healing time varies depending on the type of peel and your skin, with light peels needing one to seven days to heal, while deep peels can need two weeks or more to heal.
Once the skin has healed, you should notice an improvement in skin texture, tone, and appearance. The results can last anywhere from one month to more than a year, depending on the depth of the peel.
All peels require broad-spectrum sun protection. It is crucial as your fresh, new skin will be very sensitive to the sun, and new skin will become damaged. Talk with your provider about which sunscreens or sunblocks offer enough protection without irritating your sensitive post-peel skin. You may find your current sunscreen may cause burning or irritation while you heal, depending on the formulation.
If you live in the Charlotte, NC, area and are interested in smoother, refreshed skin, book a consultation at The Skin Center by CPS.
