New season, new skincare, New skin in 7 days?!

By our Beauty Expert Fanta B. Conte

I’m sure we’ve all heard that a summer body is made in the winter. Well, the same goes for your skin. You can have brand new skin (yes, NEW SKIN!) in as little as seven days and see dramatic results in just three months. How, you may ask? Chemical peels.

If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, acne marks, and/or sun-damaged or dull skin, you might want to continue reading. Now, what exactly is a chemical peel and how does it work?
A chemical peel is a combination of alpha, beta, and poly hydroxy acids that loosen the bond between skin cells. This allows for rapid shedding of the outermost dead skin cells, causing the body to increase collagen production in the skin, revealing the healthy, unpigmented, unclogged skin that lies below it. Chemical peels usually run anywhere from $150-$400 depending on the type of peel chosen.

Now not all chemical peels are the same. The type, depth, and strength are defined by the level of acidity in the formulation. The most common type of peel used by dermatologists and estheticians is a VI Peel.

After a peel, all you have to do is heal and hydrate.

The skin needs to stay as hydrated as possible to heal and provide optimal results. Another key tip is to not sweat or apply makeup to the peeled skin for 48 hours. Also, be sure to wear sunscreen every day as your skin will be in its most vulnerable state.

You may also want to just clear your schedule for the next week. Depending on the intensity of your peel, the healing journey is not the prettiest. Stay home and allow your skin to peel, unless you aren’t bothered by walking around with dead skin hanging off your face.

Usually, just one chemical peel will make a drastic difference.

If you have heavy acne scarring or discoloration, one treatment won’t completely wipe them away, but it will lighten the blemishes. Total removal will require multiple treatments.

Like most facial procedures, a monthly peel is recommended. It’s best to do a chemical peel during the colder months as the sun’s rays won’t be as intense.Now that you have all the information you need about peels, let’s get to shedding some skin for the new year!

Remember to always go to a licensed professional for this procedure. The damage you could cause by trying this at home can take years to reverse.

There are three types of VI Peel:

1. A Regular VI Peel is perfect for treating acne scars, enlarged pores, mild sun damage, and fine lines.
2. A Precision Plus VI Peel treats all of the issues that a regular peel treats, as well as melasma.
3. A Purify or Acne VI Peel is a combination of alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHA/BHA), plus benzoyl peroxide to treat cystic acne, correct skin pigmentation problems, and remove dead skin.