Are you preparing for your first chemical peel facial?!?

Are you preparing for your first chemical peel facial? here’s everything you’ll need on How do I prepare my face for a chemical peel?
Today we are talking about what you should do before your first chemical peel treatment.

Hi there, Esther The Esthetician here…

With today’s blog, I will be answering the following questions for you:

• How do I prepare my face for a chemical peel?

• What should I do on my first day of a chemical peel?

• Also, what to expect during your first chemical peel?

• What should I do after my first chemical peel treatment?

• The Dos and don’ts before a chemical peel treatment

Do you want to clear up or rejuvenate the skin on your face, neck, chest, underarms, vajaja area, or the back of your hands?

How do I prepare my face for my first chemical peel facial?

Do you feel like you’re not seeing results fast enough?!? Let’s continue discussing the topic: First Chemical Peel Facial

Perhaps your current homecare regimen just isn’t giving you what it’s supposed to be giving (the results you want- blemished-free skin) or maybe you’re in need of professional treatments to help you achieve the youthful, clear, smooth, and even skin you desire.

I’m sure you already know that

having skin that’s free of blemishes (such as: Acne, Post Acne Dark Spots, and Ingrown Hairs In The Chin Area) is one of the quickest ways for you to have the lifestyle you want and deserve

How you might ask?!?

If you’re looking for a remedy, then, you probably have heard of microdermabrasion/chemical peels and how they can help you clear up dark spots left behind by acne and/or ingrown hair in the chin area, they are just two of the many skincare treatments we offer here at Luxury Lotus Spa in  Tampa, FL.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

It is important to be thoroughly informed about what a chemical peel is and the different types that you can choose depending on the type of skin conditions you are trying to treat. The severity will also weigh-in in terms of what skincare plan we will start you on.

Put simply, Chemical Peel Treatments come in different strengths. It is an application of a custom blend chemical solution to the skin that causes exfoliation and the eventual falling off of the outer and/or middle layer of the skin. also removes layers of dead skin cells at a time resulting in smoother, clearer, and more youthful skin with fewer wrinkles over time.

On average, it takes at least 6 treatments done every 3 to 4 weeks consistently.

Chemical Peels are Great for The Following Skin Conditions:

Custom blend peels can be used to improve and even remedy a variety of different skin conditions, including the following:

• Acne
• Post acne dark spots
• Acne scars
• Dark spots left behind by ingrown hair in the chin area
• Age spots
• Crow’s feet
• Uneven skin tone/complexion
• Hyperpigmentation
• Scars
• Wrinkles
• Sagging Skin
• Melasma
• Skin damaged by the sun
• Aging Skin

How do I prepare my face for my first chemical peel facial?

Types of Peels

There are three different types of peels that you can use depending on the severity of the skin condition that you want to treat: Superficial peels (The types of peels estheticians in most states are allowed to perform), medium peels, and deep peels.

Did you know, there’s a chemical that can only be done once in a lifetime?!? It can’t be used for all skin types. I’ll tell you more about it below…

Superficial Peels

With superficial/light peels use a mild acid such as alpha-hydroxy (AHA), beta-hydroxy (BHA) acid, or another acid to exfoliate just the epidermis, which is the outermost(top) layer of your skin. This gentle type of peel is ideal for improving the appearance of rough skin and mild skin discoloration. It can also be used to rejuvenate the face, neck, hands, underarms, vajaja area, or chest. This is what most esthetician use in their treatment rooms

Estheticians primarily work with the epidermis

Medium Peels

With medium peels use trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid to penetrate the epidermis as well as the upper portion of the middle layer of skin( the dermis). This will cause the removal of any damaged skin cells. Plus, this type of peel is used to improve wrinkles and fine lines, age spots, moderate skin discoloration, and freckles. It is also useful for smoothing rough skin textures and treating some precancerous skin growths like actinic keratosis.

Anything that reaches the dermis (middle layer) you’ll need to see a licensed doctor for!

A dermatologist can treat the epidermis and the dermis…

Deep Peels

With deep peels use stronger acids like phenol and trichloroacetic acid to penetrate the middle layer of skin deeply, removing damaged skin cells. This type of peel is used to remove age spots, shallow scars, freckles, moderate lines, and even precancerous growths. This treatment often provides a dramatic improvement in the appearance of the skin because of its penetration deep into the dermis. It is only used on the face and can only be completed once because of the strength of the acid.

Preparing for the Procedure: Before Your Chemical Peel

Once you’ve confirmed that you have any of the skin conditions mentioned above that you would like treated, you can prepare for the procedure. It’s important that you have a consult with a dermatologist to have a pre-treatment exam. There are also some things you should avoid putting on your skin and exposing your skin to before the procedure if you are a good candidate for the treatment. How do I prepare my face for my first chemical peel facial?

The Pre-Treatment Exam

Before you move forward with completing your peel, you want to make sure that you are the right candidate for the treatment and that it will fulfill your expectations. This involves having a physical exam of your skin. By allowing your doctor to examine the texture, thickness, and tone of your skin during your New Client Consultation Facial Treatment, he or she can then determine which type of treatment would give you the results you are looking for. You will also be able to find out your treatment plan and have all your questions answered before you decide to proceed with the first treatment.

At this exam, you will need to disclose all health conditions, skin conditions, and medications that you take to your dermatologist. This is important for your own safety and health because there are certain conditions that may prevent you from being a candidate. Some of these conditions include

• History of keloids
• Unusual skin pigmentations
• Severe or recurring outbreaks of cold sores
• And, severe medical conditions

There are also medications that you may need to avoid prior to your treatment, which will be discussed in more depth below.

How do I prepare my face for my first chemical peel facial?

Things to Avoid Before Your First Chemical Peel Facial

Once you’ve had your pre-treatment exam and have been chosen as a candidate, you will need to avoid smoking for a period of time determined by your esthetician or dermatologist/doctor and depending on the type of peel. For all peels, you will also need to avoid certain skin treatments, medications, and sun exposure to prepare your skin for the peel.

Skin Treatments

There are certain skin treatments you should avoid before having your peel completed. You want to wait at least 2-3 weeks since your last chemical peel or microdermabrasion treatment before having this treatment completed. This will help to avoid over-exfoliation and subsequent irritation of your skin.

You should avoid tanning for two to three weeks before the treatment. This includes using tanning booths because exposure to artificial UV radiation can damage the skin significantly.

Finally, you want to avoid using chemical hair removal treatments(Example: Nair) or waxing your skin at least five to seven days before treatment.

You also want to avoid any chemical injection treatments like collagen injections and Botox for at least 1-2 weeks before the peel.

Medications

There are some medications that can interact with the acids used in chemical peels, so your esthetician and/or dermatologist may request that you stop taking them for a period of time before treatment. These are most commonly photosynthesizing drugs, which increase sensitivity to sunlight and may cause inflammation of the skin after exposure to sunlight. These medications include:

• Retinol
• Certain contraceptives (female sex hormones or birth control pills)
• Antihistamines
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Coal tar/coal tar derivatives
• Antimicrobials (sulfonamides)
• Tranquilizers (phenothiazines)
• Oral diabetes medications (sulfonylureas)
• Psoralens
• Antibiotics (tetracyclines)
• Water pills (thiazide diuretics)
• Tricyclic antidepressants

Another important medication to avoid is the acne medication isotretinoin, also known by the generic names Claravis, Amnesteem, and others. If you have used these medications in the past six months, you will need to let your esthetician and/or dermatologist know and postpone your treatment or chose a different treatment plan

Sun Exposure

One major concern before you get a peel is exposure to sunlight. Sometimes exposure to the sun cannot be avoided because of work or family life, but you should try to avoid/minimize sun exposure at least ten days before treatment. If you do expose yourself to the sun for any amount of time within that period, make sure you apply plenty of sunscreens and limit your time outside as much as you can.

Things to Do

Though there are many things you should avoid, there are also certain steps you should be taking to prepare your skin and/or body before treatment for it to be the safest and most effective.

Take Antiviral Medication

Your physician may recommend that you take antiviral medication before your procedure, especially if you have a history of recurring cold sores in or around your mouth (The two most commonly used medications are Acyclovir and Valacyclovir – speak with your doctor).

Acyclovir, also known as Zovirax, is taken between 2 and 7 days before treatment and up to two weeks after treatment.

Valacyclovir is taken at least two days before the peel and 10 to 14 days after the peel.

Take Antibiotics

If you have certain health conditions and are going to have a deep peel treatment, then your doctor may recommend that you take an antibiotic for a period of time before and after the procedure. This will help you to avoid any potential infection due to your medical condition.

Using Prescribed Lotions/Creams

Your doctor or esthetician may prescribe a healing and moisturizing lotion before treatment depending on which type of peel you will be undergoing. He or she may recommend that you use glycolic acid for two weeks before treatment if you will be doing a light peel. This will help your skin heal more easily and peel uniformly. We have a pre-peel prep kit we like for our clients to use for 5-7 days before the first peel

If you will undergo a light or medium peel, a retinoid cream like Retin-A or tretinoin and/or LED light therapy may be used to help speed up the healing process and shorten your treatment’s duration.

Use a Bleaching Agent

Your doctor may also recommend that you use a bleaching/brightening agent like hydroquinone with the retinoid cream to help prevent the darkening of your skin during treatment. This is typically recommended for people with darker complexions (those who fall on the higher end of the Fitzpatrick Scale).

Arrange a Ride Home

This step is only necessary if you will be getting a deep peel. Sedation is often used for deep peels to penetrate the deeper skin layer more effectively. If you know you will be getting sedated for your procedure, then make sure you plan for someone to drive you home for your personal safety. Remember only a licensed doctor can perform a deep peel.

Completing Your Peel: What to Expect

Now that you know what you should and should not do before you get a chemical peel treatment, you may want to know what to expect during and after the procedure. Your esthetician or doctor will first clean your face with an oil- or water-based cleanser and dry it. He or she will then perform and complete the procedure. After your skin has peeled and you’ve healed, you will have smoother, more even, and more youthful skin depending on which type of procedure you chose.

We offer a wide variety of custom peel blends to help you address your skin concern(s). We primarily work with the superficial layers of skin… We have no-peel peels and peels that produce physical peeling. At the end of the day… They will both give you the results you’re looking for! We highly recommend that you start with our new client’s facial treatment.

For those with brown skin… please be cautious… Don’t just go for a place because it’s the cheapest.

Superficial Peels

During a light peel, the esthetician or doctor will apply the solution using a cotton ball, brush, sponge, or gauze. After a short wait, the esthetician/dermatologist will apply a wash or neutralizing solution to remove the chemical solution from your skin. Once the procedure is done, the esthetician/doctor may apply a protective ointment like petroleum jelly to soothe the skin. We use our own custom blend ointment here at Luxury Lotus Spa, Tampa, Florida.

Medium Peels

During a medium peel, the doctor will apply the solution using gauze or a cotton-tipped applicator. Then your doctor will apply cool compresses to the skin to soothe it and may also give you a hand-held fan to cool the skin.

Once the procedure is done, the doctor may apply petroleum jelly and recommend that you use over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen or Aleve. You may also be scheduled for a checkup sometime soon after the treatment.

Deep Peels

During a deep peel, the doctor will sedate you with IV fluids and use a cotton-tipped applicator to apply the acid solution to the skin, turning it white or gray. This treatment will be done in at 15- to 20-minute intervals, which can cause the treatment to take about 90 minutes for a full-facial peel. Once the procedure is done, the doctor will apply a watertight dressing to the treated skin and may also prescribe painkillers.

In conclusion, Chemical Peels and you!

We know how important your skin is to you and we will do everything we can to give you the results you desire. If you have any further questions about chemical peels, contact Luxury Lotus Spa via text today (813-701-4541)

If you’re ready to transform your skin, set up a consult at our office in Tampa, Florida (FL).

We love the opportunity to work with you on your skincare journey to clear, smooth, and even skin.

Are you opposed to clearing up that unwanted acne, post-acne dark spots, and the dark spots and bumps left behind by ingrown hairs in the chin area?

If you answered no, we commend you for wanting to boost your confidence, reduce stress, and transform your skin and your life! We look forward to seeing your beautiful in our treatment room soon my friend!