About Chemical Peels
 Chemical peels are a quick and convenient way to enhance appearance and self confidence, and get a healthy glow with little or no downtime.
Our skin is a living organ that is made up of millions of cells. Everyday, thousands of cells die, fall off, and new cells are regenerated from below. This is a slow and haphazard process that does not allow our skin to shed dark spots, sun damage, or a dull, lifeless complexion.
Facial peel create an even, controlled shedding of several layers of damaged cells, leaving you with a new fresh layer of skin that has a more even texture and color.
During a chemical peel, a solution is applied to various areas of the skin. These applications produce separation and eventual peeling of layers of skin, and enables new, regenerated skin to appear. During a peel, many patients experience a warm to hot sensation that lasts about 5-10 minutes, followed by a stinging sensation.
What Does A Chemical Peel Do?
Chemical peeling is often used to treat fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth. Wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors can often be reduced or even eliminated with this procedure. However, sags, bulges and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to peeling and may require other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures.
Mild scarring and certain types of acne can be treated with chemical peels. In addition, pigmentation of the skin in the form of sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles, blotchiness due to taking birth control pills, and skin that is dull in texture and colour may be improved with chemical peeling. Areas of sun-damaged skin, spots of precancerous keratoses and scaling patches may improve after chemical peeling. Following treatment, new lesions or patches are less likely to appear.
The procedure can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms and legs. Superficial or medium depth peels may be used to improve damaged skin.
Different Types of Chemical Peels
During your consultation, you will want to explain the level of skin improvement you hope to achieve. We will then review your medical history and examine your skin type and pigmentation to determine if you are a good candidate for a chemical peel. We can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for each individual case.
Ultra Peel® Forte Exfoliating Treatment
Those with resilient skin who have more dramatic wrinkling, sun damage and acne scarring are the most suitable candidates for this deeper and more active treatment. Ultra Peel® Forte will effectively treat aging skin, acne, pigment disorders, smoker's skin and photodamaged skin. This treatment is ideal for dehydrated and aging skin in need of rejuvenation.
Ultra Peel® I Exfoliating Treatment
Specially formulated to treat dehydrated, maturing skin, Ultra Peel® I is also appropriate for many skin types, conditions and sensitivities. It will help treat pigment disorders, fine lines and wrinkles, and sun damaged skin and acne. This treatment is especially ideal for sensitive skin, as it produces only a mild tingling sensation. Moderate to aggressive exfoliation will be experienced, depending on the number of layers applied. Overall, the final results will be plump, hydrated and ultra-soft skin.
Sensi Peel® Exfoliating Treatment
This gentle solution is formulated primarily for ethnic skin, and other extremely sensitive skin types. Sensi Peel® will strengthen and brighten the skin while helping to treat sun damage and other forms of hyperpigmentation (skin discoloration). This multi-faceted treatment also provides anti-inflammatory, anti-acne and antibacterial action, making it an excellent choice for helping calm rosacea, as redness and inflammation can subside substantially after treatment.
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PCA peels
PCA Peels consist of salicylic acid – a beta-hydroxy acid which is found naturally in willow bark, wintergreen leaves, and sweet birch bark. Formulations containing high concentrations of salicylic acid help slough off dead cells and debris while stimulating the skin’s natural renewal process.
PCA Peel® Exfoliating Treatments
These patented and proven light-to-medium peel formulas effectively exfoliate, bleach and inhibit pigment production. These peels help to repair and reduce breakouts, control oil, soften lines and provide a more even, smooth skin texture. PCA Peel ® exfoliating treatments are available in the following three formulas:
PCA Peel® HQ Free (non-resorcinol) Exfoliating Treatment
This peel is ideal for more sensitive skin types (ethnic skin) or those allergic to hydroquinone. This peel will help to unclog pores, clear acne and rejuvenate the skin. It is also an excellent choice for maintaining even pigmentation and correcting pigment discolorations for those with hydroquinone sensitivities.
PCA Peel® with Hydroquinone (non-resorcinol) Exfoliating Treatment
This formula is for those who want even skin tone and have no sensitivity to hydroquinone. It will also help to correct melasma, sun damage and pigment discolorations of any kind. In addition, this peel will inhibit active acne and correct post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown-spotting) from acne.
PCA Peel® with Hydroquinone & Resorcinol Exfoliating Treatment
This peel is the most potent formula of the PCA Peel® treatments. It will provide more exfoliation for oilier, thicker and resilient skin types. It is effective on extremely sun damaged and thickened skin. It is also excellent for those with active/cystic acne and asphyxiated skin (dry on the surface, oily underneath). |
Retinol Treatments
Ultra Peel® II Exfoliating Treatment
This advanced hydrating treatment will encourage additional flaking and peeling, and may be used alone or on top of any other PCA Professional™ chemical peel to produce a tightening and brightening effect. It is a cream mask containing natural phytohormones which plump, hydrate and moisturize aging skin. The retinol (vitamin A) content helps increase cell turnover to keep skin looking fresh, while vitamin C strengthens the skin by helping to increase the skin's collagen and elastin network. Ultra Peel® II works well on all types and conditions.
Esthetique Peel™ Exfoliating Treatment
An excellent treatment that can be used alone or in combination with any other PCA Professional™ treatment for smoothing, firming and brightening all skin types, even extra-sensitive skin including rosacea and acne. Its advanced formulation of lactic acid and retinol, along with a host of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins, humectants and brightening ingredients, improves the texture of skin, and also helps correct many types of skin discoloration. |
Post Treatment
Depending upon the type of peel, a reaction similar to a mild to severe sunburn occurs following a chemical peel. Superficial peeling usually involves redness, followed by scaling that ends within 3-5 days.
It is important to avoid overexposure to the sun immediately after a chemical peel since the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to injury.
Risks After Chemical Peeling
In certain skin types, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent colour change in the skin. Taking birth control pills, pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may increase the possibility of developing abnormal pigmentation.
Although low, there is a risk of scarring after chemical peels. If scarring does occur, it can usually be treated with good results. There is also a small incidence of the reactivation of cold sores or Herpes Simplex infection in patients with a history of fever blisters.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know which peel is right for me?
Your skin care professional has been trained on each of the PCA Professional™ Products. This training allows them to not only choose a treatment designed for your skin type, but customize a treatment, addressing your individual skin care needs.
How much discomfort should be expected when having a peel?
The level of discomfort experienced depends on the treatment. Most PCA Professional™ chemical peels are gentle and create little or no burning or stinging sensation in the skin. Dramatic wrinkling, sun damage or acne scars may require a deeper peel, which may cause moderate stinging for a few minutes. More dramatic results can be expected from a deeper peel, however deep peels are not necessary for most skin types and conditions. PCA's superficial chemical peels create minimal discomfort and produce beautiful and immediate results for most patients.
What is the difference between the PCA Peel® Exfoliating Treatment and Ultra Peel® I Exfoliating Treatment?
These two treatments will help many of the same skin conditions, yet there are some basic differences. PCA Peel® is an excellent lightening treatment and effectively controls excessive oil production. A great "baby boomer" peel, Ultra Peel® I is best know for its hydrating and plumping ability, as well as minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
Should people who are frequently in the sun receive peels?
Yes, but only if they use sunscreen protection every day. Sunbathing should be avoided prior to treatment, directly following a treatment, and while the skin is peeling. If you are getting peels to lighten the skin, it is imperative to use the appropriate pHaze 13 Pigment Gel® Dyschromia Controller followed by PHaze 6+ Hydrator Plus SPF 25 or pHaze 7 Protecting Hydrator SPF 25 and avoid unnecessary sun exposure to reduce any chance of further hyperpigmentation.
Will a chemical peel make thin skin even thinner?
Dry skin is partially the result of dead cell buildup which actually hinders natural exfoliation as well as the absorption and penetration of vitamins and nutrients. Having a PCA Professional™ chemical peel will remove surface buildup, hydrate the skin and give it a plumper, "thicker" appearance. The use of topical vitamin C and peptide products in a treatment, as well as in a home care regimen will help build the collagen in the skin, thus making it stronger and more durable.
Are there any treatments that are good for rosacea?
PCA Advanced Skin Care Systems offers many options to help control rosacea. Our gentle TCA and L-lactic acid peel blend solutions are wonderful choices for rosacea. Esthetique Peel™, Ultra Peel® I and Sensi Peel® Exfoliating Treatments all fight bacteria, reduce inflammation and help promote healing. Rosacea is best controlled with a combination of medical therapies, in-office treatments, home care products and lifestyle considerations. Heat is an enemy of rosacea - stay cool!
Is it okay for someone using Retin-A®, Differin®, Accutane® or Tazorac® to have PCA Professional™ chemical peel treatments?
We generally recommend that Retin-A® and differin® use be stopped five days prior to a peel and five days post treatment because of potential irritation and uneven peel penetration. Those using Tazorac® generally need to stop use 10 before treatment to avoid this irritation. Accutane® users tend to have very dry and sensitive skin and need to be treated only with peels that are appropriate for their skin type. We have found that most of the PCA Professional™ chemical peel solutions are Accutane® friendly. However, patients should always consult their physician before discontinuing use of any prescription. The patient's skin care specialist should always be made aware of any prescription medication use. Remember, good communication with your skin care professional is vital.
I am currently receiving facial chemical peels but am noticing discolorations, breakouts and skin roughness on my body as well. Are there peels capable of treating the body?
Yes, the Smoothing Body Peel is a blend of three peeling agents as well as ingredients designed to even skin tone, hydrate and reduce impurities. The skin on the body is naturally thicker than the skin on the face, therefore different solutions are sometimes necessary for optimal results. The Smoothing Body Peel treatment focuses on most common skin afflictions affecting the body.
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