Patients in Ottawa, Princeton, and around the world choose medical-grade chemical peels for one reason: they work. Skin can be transformed from dull and aging to glowing and renewed. At Nicole Norris, MD, Medical Spa in Peru, IL, we use peels developed by PCA SKIN, a leader in the skincare industry. They’ve conducted extensive research to ensure their products are both safe and effective, and in turn, our patients enjoy remarkable results.
What Is a Medical-Grade Chemical Peels?
A medical-grade peel is an exfoliation and resurfacing treatment that gently unglues and peels away your skin’s topmost layers. The goal is to rid your face of dead, unhealthy cells and allow smooth, dynamic cells waiting underneath to surface.
Peels work by inducing acute inflammation. Don’t let these words scare you – inflammation is actually a key component of the treatment. Skin responds with increased growth of new cells and amplified collagen production. Both help to give your complexion the boost it needs by plumping and firming tissues, whisking away wrinkles, and restoring a youthful glow.
Time Tested and Proven
Peels have indeed withstood the test of time. You might remember these treatments from the 1990s when they first rose to popularity after proving to refresh and revive skin. Although peels have evolved considerably since their early days – thanks to refined techniques and gentler ingredients, they’re much more sophisticated – you can still trust in effective, dependable results. We use peels to:
- Improve skin texture
- Increase cellular turnover
- Reduce fine lines
- Correct hyperpigmentation
- Unclog pores and clear acne
- Improve minor scarring
- Even skin tone
- Impart a dewy radiance
Discerning the Difference
So, what is the difference between medical-grade and non-medical-grade? Peels in the latter category come pre-packaged and contain only minute amounts of active ingredients. Although these treatments are safe, they rarely perform as expected and the results they do give are likely to be short-lived. You should also know non-medical-grade peels cannot be personalized to suit your aesthetic goals.
A medical-grade peel, on the other hand, can be customized. These treatments contain a much higher percentage of active ingredients and can only be administered by licensed professionals. While medical-grade peels do exfoliate the skin, they also achieve much more. They support tissue healing and restructuring not to change your appearance but rather to address concerns commonly associated with aging.
Understanding Chemical Peels
Medical-grade peels differ in their depth of penetration. Superficial peels penetrate just below the skin’s surface, while medium peels penetrate the epidermis (skin’s top layer) to reach the papillary dermis. Deep peels aim to penetrate to the medireticular dermis. This is the layer of dense connective tissues that comprise the bulk of the dermis. The medirectiulcar dermis is also where collagen and elastin abundantly exist.
The peel you need will depend on your skin’s overall health and the conditions you want to treat. To illustrate, if you simply want to exfoliate skin and improve tone and texture, a superficial peel will probably do the trick. But if you want to smooth away significant lines and wrinkles, you’ll need a deeper peel.
This Treatment Fights the Aging Process
To understand the answer to this question, it’s important to first understand that as we age, the cellular turnover process slows substantially. Cellular turnover allows the skin to shed dead tissues and, at the same time, reduce photo damage and other concerns. Peels support cellular turnover to promote a healthier, more radiant complexion. And like any product in your skincare routine, regularly receiving peels will help you see the best results.
Proper Skincare Is Crucial
You also need to be an active participant in the peel itself. This means committing to caring for your skin after treatment, and the first step in this process is keeping hands off your skin. Fingers, even those that are frequently washed, carry bacteria that can interfere with the skin’s natural healing process.
You should also keep hair pulled away from your face to avoid breakouts. Moisturizing is equally important because your post-treatment skin will be sensitive. But don’t choose a slew of products that may contain irritating ingredients. Instead, focus specifically on a gentle moisturizer and quality sunscreen.
Stay Out of the Sun
Speaking of sunscreen, now is a great time to mention that sun exposure can damage the new, vulnerable skin your peel has just revealed. Whether you plan to spend time outdoors, sit by a window, or work on any kind of electronic device, you need a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and broad-spectrum safety ratings. And you need to apply this skin protectant every single day.
You Can (and Should) Repeat Treatment
We’ll craft a treatment plan based on your skin’s precise needs, but generally speaking, most patients need a series of peels each delivered four to six weeks apart. Patients who suffer from acne may choose to repeat treatment every two weeks until they achieve the desired results.
Peel Your Way to Better Skin
Medical-grade chemical peels lift away dead and damaged cells on the surface of your face. They then prompt existing cells to quickly regenerate and produce more collagen. The end result is a smoother, softer, and brighter complexion – in other words, a more youthful you. Schedule your consultation today by contacting Nicole Norris, MD, Medical Spa in Peru, IL, and also serving patients in Ottawa and Princeton.