Superficial Peels - Procedures & Aftercare

Superficial Peels: Vitalize Peel™, Ultra Peel™, and Micro Peel™ Download PDF

What are Superficial Peels?
Are a mixture of weak acids that form a solution that exfoliate the outmost layers of the skin,removing sun damage, encouraging new cell production, refining skin texture and improving the overall appearance of the skin. Peeling usually occurs on the third day and is light and manageable. The peeling can continue for a week, but is easy to maintain, and skin looks good enough to be seen in public.

How much improvement can I expect?
Superficial sun damage that appears as brown marks no more than two years old will respond the most. Rough texture and dull skin will be benefit improving the overall appearance of the skin.

How many treatments will it take to see the “best results”?
To achieve maximum improvement of sun damage, skin tone and texture, a series of three treatments performed 4-6 weeks apart. Some people may be satisfied following just one treatment. We recommend periodic treatments to maintain the rejuvenated appearance of the skin. Some clients prefer to do them every 3 months to maintain a healthy skin.

What are the advantages?
Superficial peels offer an easy and cost effective way (other than Laser Therapy) to improve skin health. They require no downtime and are safe and effective to do. They can be done every 3 months to brighten and rejuvenate the skin offering the “instant pick me up”

What are the disadvantages?
The skin can be left sensitive for a period of 2 weeks after the peel and light peeling can resume again in the second week.

The following information will help achieve the optimum results.
• Avoid any procedures or harsh treatments two weeks prior to and after the peel such as waxing, electrolysis, IPL’s, etc.
• If you’ve received a laser treatment such as Fraxel, wait 4-6 weeks after the laser treatment before scheduling this peel.

Contra indications’:
• Allergy due to Salicylic Acid
• Pregnant or nursing
• Have used Accutane in the last 3 months
• Active Herpes sore (if you get herpes sore then I recommend taking a prescribed therapy such as Valtrex 5 days prior to and 5 days after the peel)

Prior to Superficial Peel
• Four days prior to your peel, discontinue all products that have the potential to exfoliate and irritate the skin*
• Limit your skin care routine to a simple moisturizer and sun block with SPF 20 or higher. Avoid the following products and ingredients before the peel:

o Alpha Hydroxy
o Benzo Peroxide, including Pro Active™
o Any type of acne blemishes stick.
o All acne products that contain Salicylic Acid, and vitamin A related products: Retin A™,Tretinoin, Retinol, Tazarac™, Avage™

Immediately after Superficial Peel
• The skin may have a yellow tinge.
• If you have to you can cover the tint with make up, ideally you would leave it untouched.
• Do not wash the skin and leave the skin untouched overnight.
• The skin may appear red and blotchy.

Superficial Peel - Day 1
• The skin may be slightly red and sensitive; skin can be easily covered with make-up to conceal redness.
• If the skin feels hot and irritated, pass ice over the skin to relieve discomfort.
• Use only simple products that do not contain any of the above ingredients.
• Wash and moisturize the skin at night using a medium weight moisturizer

Superficial Peel - Day 2
• Skin begins to feel very tight and wrinkles may appear accentuated, especially around the eyes. Don’t be alarmed, this is the natural process.
• Peeling may begin around the mouth area
• Continue to keep the skin comfortable, not too moist and not too dry.
• Drink lots of water (at least eight 8 oz glasses per day!) and avoid anything to aggravate the skin, such as hot ovens, steam, and sauna.
• Exercise is permitted, but the face might get red and hot which can be relieved with a cold compress or ice.

Superficial Peel - Day 3
• If peeling is visible, it appears around the mouth first, eventually moving up the face with the forehead being the last area to peel
• Once the skin starts to peel, avoid direct sun on the face, and don’t rub the skin if dry which might cause an abrasion that could leave a mark
• To remove dead peeling skin, shower and let tepid water fall onto the skin until saturated. Using firm pressure, massage the skin. The skin should start to bead off, and then pat the skin dry. If unable to shower, take a wet washcloth and gently rub the dead flakes off. The skin will be red and sensitive. If you are very red and sore, apply a cream we provide, or Aquaphor. Aquaphor is greasy, so if applying make-up, use a lighter cream (1 % over the counter hydrocortisone works well.)
• If staying indoors for the day, apply a generous layer of Aquaphor and within 45 minutes the skin will be calm and soothed.
• Sometimes the skin doesn’t peel; this doesn’t mean the peel isn’t working. The bonds that hold the upper dead layers in place will have loosened and the peeling will occur in the weeks ahead during normal washing.

Superficial Peel - Day 4
• By now, the skin should be relatively normal; a second round of peeling around the mouth can occur. If so, apply Aquaphor or a simple moisturizer. The skin could continue to peel occasionally for the next two week’s, which is completely normal.

DEBORAH WINTER SKIN CARE