One of the treatments we receive the most questions about from people interested in facial aesthetics in Cardiff is the chemical peel, a treatment that can help take care of a range of skin conditions and concerns at the same time.
Part of the reason for this is that unlike microneedling or dermal fillers, chemical peels have a rather less assuming name.
In practice, however, a chemical peel is an exfoliation treatment that uses a careful mix of different chemicals and acids to remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, allow nutrients to absorb into the dermal layer and provide a refreshing smooth reset for your skin.
Glycolic acid is one of the most popular chemical peels out there, uses a chemical naturally found in sugar cane and is generally suitable for all skin types.
Who Benefits Most From A Chemical Peel?
Most people will enjoy some benefit from the exfoliation effect, but they are often specifically used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tones or reduce the effects of hyperpigmentation.
Do I Need To Prepare For It?
Whilst your facial aesthetics practitioner will let you know if you need to avoid any particular treatments before you have the glycolic peel, typically you should avoid exfoliating for a week before your appointment.
This is simply to give your skin a chance to recover and reduce the risk of hypersensitivity and painful reactions to the treatment, similar to over-exfoliation.
Typically just before the peel is applied, an aesthetician will prep the skin using a cleanser to remove grease and impurities that can interfere with its application.
What Should I Expect From Treatment?
As with other exfoliations, a degree of redness and tingly feeling is to be expected, and your skin may feel a bit more sensitive than usual for a few days after treatment.
Because of this, it is best to avoid using retinol, exfoliants or other harsh products in the first week after your treatment, unless your aesthetician tells you otherwise.
