If you follow me on Instagram then you know how I feel about “Peel Szn”. It’s something I don’t love but I understand it. My biggest qualm is that it gives patients the impression that they can ONLY do peels from September to March. Yes, it’s easier to manage the downtime of a peel this time of year with less sun exposure but with proper commitment and care, you can do a peel any time of year. Plus, these days there are so many strengths and depths of peels. With them ranging from no-downtime to light flaking or deep shedding, you have the power to choose what downtime, or lack thereof, suits your desired results and lifestyle.
But I digress, because this is indeed a “Peel Szn” (sorry it’s funnier with the Z to me) blog. So the reasons I do agree with Fall and Winter being a good time for peel are like I said above, because of less sun exposure, but also it is good if you get some summer sun damage! Some people prone to pigmentation from the sun may accumulate new spots over the summer, so it is a good time to jump on it and try to reverse it.
With that being said, one thing to remember about the Winter is that the cold weather and indoor heat tend to dry out your skin, which is not ideal. However, don’t let that scare you- just be sure you listen to aftercare instructions from your provider, regardless of the season!
So I am going on and on about peels and peel season but before I dive into the peels we offer at Exhibit, let’s start with the basics: what is a chemical peel? Chemical peels are non-surgical treatments that exfoliate dead skin cells, many resulting in physically sloughing off or shedding the skin. Many people are candidates for peels for preventive care but in terms of correction, peels are great for tone, texture, acne, scarring, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles. Some peels require preconditioning the skin a few weeks prior to treatment. This can help put your skin at a healthy baseline to better accept the peel and minimize adverse events. Preconditioning typically includes using a quality retinol.
Why do peels work? So as you may know, I am very pro-microneedling but definitely believe peels are a more suitable option for certain skin types and conditions. Plus, they basically work in a similar way just with a different delivery system and depth. Like microneedling, peels are essentially causing a controlled wound to the skin, forcing your skin to repair itself. These kinds of treatments are effective because it’s actually changing the way the skin behaves at a cellular level… and in my opinion if you truly need to correct something, microneedling, or in this case, peels are the way to go.
Now that we are in the thick of the season and just added a new peel to our treatment menu, I thought it would be a good opportunity to tell you about them! We have the ZO Stimulator Peel, ZO 3-Step Peel, and most recently SkinMedica’s Vitalize Peel. Let’s talk about them in strength order from lowest to highest…
First up, ZO Stimulator Peel. This lactic, glycolic, and salicylic blend is a true no-downtime peel. So basically, it’s a great “lunchtime peel” that you can actually do the day of an event because it yields an instant glow. This peel stimulates the cell-turnover without physically shedding the skin. This doesn’t mean this isn’t an effective treatment, it is just a more gentle option that you can do more often. It actually aids in your skin’s ability to hold on to water as well, so is a rather hydrating peel solution! Anti-irritants and antioxidants help to reduce redness. This treatment also overall improves fine lines, wrinkles, tone, texture, congestion, and mild acne. A brightening complex accelerates exfoliation of existing pigment and prevents the formation of new pigment. This peel is very popular paired with dermaplaning and a take-home booster serum which is a service we call “Glow and Go Peel Plus”. This is gentle enough to do weekly but is more commonly done monthly.
Next up, the new kid on the block- SkinMedica Vitalize Peel. I gotta say I recently did this peel and was really happy with my results! This is a lactic, salicylic, resorcinol, and retinoic acid blend, ideal for moderate skin imperfections. Great for age spots, sun damage, acne, scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, texture, and melasma. This peel produces very light flaking and shedding about 24-48 hours post-treatment. This shedding is very mild and lasts about 5 days. When I experienced downtime, I was just sure to keep my skin super hydrated. For best results, do this peel in a series of 3-6 spaced out about a month apart.
Now, the final boss, the ZO 3-Step Peel. Some of you may have remembered Nicole documenting her downtime and amazing results from this peel- if not go find it! This is a 10% TCA with salicylic and lactic acid, in combination with a retinol cream. Amazing for breakouts, pigmentation, melasma, texture, scarring, dullness, wrinkles, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. One thing about this peel- she’s spicy. During treatment you will experience mild-moderate burning, for this reason we do require you precondition with ZO’s Wrinkle + Texture Repair Retinol for 4-6 weeks prior to the peel. Again, preconditioning just helps strengthen the skin so it better accepts the peel, and helps prevent any adverse effects. You can expect redness for a couple days post-peel, followed by 5 days of sheet peeling- DON’T PEEL IT! If you find you have skin hanging off your face, just use some small scissors to carefully cut the skin. Avoid exercise, excessive sweating, and sun exposure for about 2 weeks following your treatment. While I have seen impressive results from one treatment, it is typically recommended in a series of 3 spaces out 4-6 weeks apart.
So there you have it. I hope you guys feel more comfortable, confident and informed about peels and “Peel Szn”. If you think a peel may be right for you, come visit me or Nikki for a consultation at Exhibit… plus, who knows? There may be a peel party in our future.