CHEMICAL PEEL INFORMATION

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A skin peel is a complex procedure with certain inherent risks, so it is imperative you follow the pre and post treatment care instructions and the advice of your skin care professional. Due to the superficial nature of the GlyMed Glow Peel and Serene AHA Peels, you should not expect to really “peel”, but you may experience flaking, redness, texturing or tightness for the week following the treatment while dead skin cells are being sloughed off. As for the superficial to medium depth self-neutralizing peels, you may experience flaking and peeling 1-2 days post treatment with a dowtime typically between 3-7 days. There are certain conditions that may require postponement of your peel including: inflamed acne lesions, open cuts/ scratches, surgery within the last 3-6 months, certain medications,  illness or severe stress. 

*All chemical peels carry some uncertainty or risk, and while infrequent, infection, scarring, and pigmentation changes are possible. 

 1. If you have not had a clinical exfoliation treatment at Elysian, pre-treatment starting 1-2 weeks prior to your peel, may be recommended with home regimen products consisting of topical AHA’s in order to prepare your skin properly. Professional pre-peel kits are available at Elysian for $25, and if using your own, products will need to be brought in to ensure they will be sufficient to prep your skin accordingly. 

2. Avoid direct sunlight or tanning beds 3 weeks prior to treatment.

3. Discontinue use of Vitamin A products 5-7 days prior to treatment.

4. Avoid waxing or harsh granular exfoliants 7 days prior to peel. No Microdermabrasion or Laser in the treatment area 4 weeks prior.

5.  Male clients should shave the day prior to treatment.  

1. Mild to moderate redness or tightness in the skin can be experienced for the first 12-24 hours post treatment and occasionally light flaking or peeling, depending on peel strength and type. In rare instances, an area of crusting may develop. If this occurs, apply a protective skin barrier product such as Aquaphor or polysporin to the area. It is extremely important that you do no pick, scratch, pull or rub your skin during or after your peel. If you do, it may damage underlying new skin, and cause scarring or pigmentation changes. Drink plenty of water and apply moisturizer as needed.

2. For the first 24 hours adhere to the following: sleep on back if possible, a fresh pillow case should be used, avoid excess heat from hot showers, steam rooms, hot tubs or extensive exercise, avoid use of make-up or irritating cosmetics. Do not go swimming for 48 hours post treatment. Chlorine, excess heat and irritating make-up or skin care can cause complications such as hyperpigmentation, rash or unwanted reaction.

*SELF NEUTRALIZING PEELS (JESSNER, TCA, VITAMIN A, 5 BERRY PEEL): It is best to avoid irritating cosmetics or skin care for at least 7 days after and to wait 6-8 hours before washing face or applying any oil-based products to the skin, so as not to inhibit or exacerbate the effects of the peel.

3. Avoid chemical hair treatments for 7 days.

4. No waxing, Microdermabrasion or exfoliation treatments for 2-4 weeks after. 

5. No direct sun exposure or tanning for the duration of your treatments and for 4 weeks after your last. It is absolutely imperative to wear a minimum SPF 30 daily before, during and after peel treatments.

6. Follow the appropriate home care regimen described by the aesthetician: drink plenty of water,  use the post peel kit provided and/or appropriate anti-inflammatory or barrier creams advised of for the week following your peel to ensure proper healing. 

· Dermatitis in treatment area

· Eczema in treatment area

· Suspicious spots, lesions or moles

· Excessive Telangiectasias (broken capillaries)

· Advanced Rosacea 

· Open wounds/ bleeding

 · Accutane -must wait 12 months after stopping medication 

· Pregnancy or lactating 

· Herpes Simplex Virus Type I- active or frequent cold sores: need Doctors’ consent and possible prescribed anti-viral medication prior to having a chemical peel to decrease risk of outbreak. 

· Hepatitis A/B/C or HIV/AIDS

· Auto-immune diseases including Insulin-dependent Diabetes, Lupus, Lymes Disease 

· Cancer/ Chemotherapy medication(s)/ Radiation Treatment

· Prescription Anticoagulants (Blood thinning medication) or St. John’s Wart

· Photo-Sensitizing Medication

Other Considerations to note that may cause adverse reactions include:

· Smoking- heightened vascular sensitivity from nicotine and debilitating effect of exposure to toxic chemicals may result in decreased healing time. 

· General state of health- increased stress levels, chronic illness can result in decrease healing time.

· History of keloid scarring (for medium-deep peels)

· Skin Types IV-VI or hypersensitive/hyper-reactive skin types- contraindicated for higher percentage AHA and self-neutralizing Chemical Peels. 

ALPHAHYDROXY ACIDS (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels. These types of peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin, with a series of treatments, and are great to help build skin tolerance for chemical peels and also for people who can't spare the time to recover from a Jessner or TCA peel. They may be used to help minimize fine lines, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Clients may experience some redness, localized flaking, crusting, texturing or tight skin for the next few days following this peel. Lower percentages of glycolic, lactic or fruit acids are even commonly added to common skin care products such as cleansers, serum or moisturizers to assist with cell turnover, and keep skin youthful, glowing, and clear.

JESSNER PEELS are a combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid and resorcinol. Resorcinol works in a similar way to the more aggressive chemical, Phenol, which is used for deep Chemical peels in medical clinics, which is why the Jessner peel is more aggressive than a AHA Peel. However, because the Jessner always has the 3 components at equal strengths, the effects of it can be more predictable than a TCA or other medium-deep peels. It is very effective and efficient at treating moderate skin imperfections, with the added benefit of helping to treat acne due to the salicylic acid in it.  Actual peeling can be experienced 1-3 days post treatment, with a downtime typically around 7 days depending on the skin type and sensitivity. 

TRICHLOROACETIC ACID (TCA) is commonly used as a medium depth peel in varying strengths. Often it is used in localized areas such as between the brows, around the mouth or on the orbital bones for deeper lines. As this peel can be more unpredictable, and sometimes accompanied by significant peeling, it carries higher risks than an AHA and Jessner Peel, especially in strengths greater than 30%.  Peeling can often be experienced 1-3 days post treatment, with a downtime between 4-7 days. About 1-3 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart are recommended to see results. TCA's are very popular for this reason, as only a few treatments of them, can make a significant difference to the skin.  

SALICYLIC ACID is a beta hydroxy acid or BHA derived from willow bark. Unlike an alpha hydroxy acid, it's oil-soluble, meaning it can penetrate your skin's sebum. Due to this unique ability, it can exfoliate inside the pores where acne is formed, to aid in minimizing breakouts and preventing future abruptions. Salicylic acid comes in varying strengths, and is often found in many over the counter acne-fighting products. When used in a higher strength peel form, it can very quickly dry out the lesion and stop the acne completely in its tracts.