Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Peels

As we transition from summer to autumn, skincare enthusiasts have a unique reason to celebrate: September marks the start of peel season. This is the perfect time to delve into the world of refreshed and refined skin. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about chemical peels, from what they entail and how they work to the variety of types available, their advantages, and the crucial aspects of pre and post-peel care. Additionally, we'll share ten vital questions to pose to your esthetician before your peel appointment and connect you with an IMAGE Skincare professional to ensure your peel experience is the best it can be.

September is Peel Season

There are several reasons why September is the optimal month for a peel. After months of sun exposure, your skin needs extra care. As summer wanes, September brings milder UV rays, reducing the risk of post-peel hyperpigmentation. Additionally, cooler weather minimises sweating and irritation during the peeling process, enhancing your comfort.

It’s important to note that post-peel, your skin absorbs skincare products better as well. So, starting your peel journey in September ensures optimal results for holiday gatherings. Your lit-from-within glow will be in full effect for those celebratory, camera-ready moments.

Understanding Chemical Peels

Here at IMAGE, we like to think of peels as revealing a fresh canvas. They are ideal treatments to rejuvenate skin as the seasons change to keep you looking radiant all year long. For more information about chemical peels vs facials, it’s important to understand what you should and shouldn’t do.

You may be thinking, what are chemical peels, exactly, and how do they work? A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment that involves applying a chemical solution to your skin to improve its texture and appearance. During the procedure, the chemical solution causes the top layer of your skin to peel off, revealing smoother, healthier, and younger-looking skin underneath. Chemical peels can be customised to address various skin concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, uneven skin tone, and sun damage. They work by exfoliating the skin, stimulating collagen production, and promoting the growth of new skin cells. The result is a refreshed and rejuvenated complexion. Chemical peels are available in different strengths and types, allowing for tailored treatments to meet individual skincare needs.

Benefits of Chemical Peels

Our peels our developed by physicians to effectively address each skin condition and a variety of concerns. Here are just a few of the benefits our peels offer:

• Improving skin texture
• Reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles
• Clearing acne and minimising acne scars
• Refined complexion and balancing skin tone
• Fading sun damage and pigmentation

Different Types of IMAGE Skincare Chemical Peels

The IMAGE difference is that our signature treatments are customisable to leverage higher concentrations of ingredients that aren’t available in at-home products. This means more dramatic results, faster. Our diverse selection of chemical peels is formulated by physicians to address every skin type and concern. Below is a summary of our chemical peels and their corresponding benefits:

The Wrinkle Lift®: Targeting fine lines and wrinkles, this chemical peel minimises their appearance, leaving skin smoother and more youthful.

The Wrinkle Lift® Forte: For more pronounced signs of ageing and deeper wrinkles, the Wrinkle Lift® Forte offers a stronger formulation for enhanced results.

The I Peel Lightening Lift®: This peel focuses on reducing pigmentation issues like sunspots, melasma, and uneven skin tone, providing a more even complexion.

The I Peel Lightening Lift® Forte: A more potent version of the Lightening Lift®, this peel is suitable for advanced pigmentation concerns, delivering superior results.

The Perfection Lift: A potent solution for advanced signs of ageing and pigmentation problems, it's particularly effective against stubborn age spots, sun damage, and uneven skin tone.

The Perfection Lift Forte: Tailored for severe pigmentation issues and advanced ageing signs, the Perfection Lift Forte offers significant improvements.

When it comes to IMAGE peels, there’s literally something for everyone. Refer to our comprehensive list of IMAGE treatment types and peels to determine which solution is best for you.

10 Questions to Ask Your Esthetician Before Getting a Peel

Before scheduling your appointment, understanding the treatment and ensuring it aligns with your skin goals is key. To summarise, here are ten essential questions to ask before your peel:

1. What is your experience and training performing peels?
2. Is the peel strength suitable for my skin type and concerns?
3. What can I do at home to prepare for the peel and maximise its benefits?
4. Are there potential side effects or post-peel instructions I should know?
5. What type of peel is best for my skin?
6. What are the key ingredients in the peel?
7. How long will the treatment take?
8. Is there any downtime, and if so, how long?
9. Do you offer add-on treatments or enhancements with the peel?
10. Can you recommend a skincare routine to maintain the results?

Pre and Post Peel Care

Before your treatment, schedule a consultation with your esthetician or skincare professional to discuss your goals and concerns. Make sure to minimise sun exposure and use sunscreen to reduce the risk of post-treatment hyperpigmentation. Last, follow your esthetician's guidance regarding discontinuing specific skincare products before your treatment.

After your treatment, be diligent with the aftercare instructions. This may include avoiding harsh products and exfoliation of any kind. Drink plenty of water to aid skin healing and maintain hydration. Last, to enhance your results and minimise irritation, use the aftercare skincare products recommended by your esthetician. For more information, learn how to best prepare yourself for treatment pre and post care .

Perhaps the most important rule to follow post peel is DON’T PICK! A few days after your chemical peel, your skin will begin to shed and flake. During his time, skin may be itchy and temptation to pick away will be hard to resist—but don’t go there. At this stage, your skin is extremely sensitive, resisting the urge to peel or pick at any skin flakes is paramount. Overzealous picking could potentially lead to hyperpigmentation, long-lasting blemishes, or open sores.

If you find yourself suffering with moderate flaking and peeling, we recommend the BIOME+ cleansing comfort balm and BIOME+ cloud crème. Formulated with microbiome-friendly squalene, both help to help optimise the skin’s protective barrier and comfort skin. Also the ORMEDIC balancing facial cleanser is a great solution for its gentle ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin to leave the skin feeling soft, balanced and calm. Bot products lock in moisture, reduce redness and irritation, and help eliminate discomfort after chemical peels or more aggressive resurfacing treatments.

Booking Your Professional Peel

Visiting an IMAGE Skincare professional is a must for an optimal peel experience. Our experts are highly trained and utilise professional-grade products to customise peels to address your specific needs. To find an IMAGE Skincare professional in your vicinity, use our Skincare Pro Locator. Our experts will guide you through the entire peel process, ensuring your journey to radiant skin is both safe and effective.

As autumn arrives, ushering in a season of transformation, it's the ideal time to rejuvenate your skin with a chemical peel. Remember to ask the essential questions to your esthetician to ensure a satisfying and effective peel experience and prepare for your treatment with proper care both before and after. Our skincare pros are here to guide you on your journey to glowing skin by the holidays. Your radiant skin awaits!