Lunchtime skin resurfacing treatments such as glycolic acid peels can dramatically improve the look and feel of your skin.
What is a Glycolic Acid Peel?
Glycolic acid peels are non-invasive, non-surgical facial treatments that can refine the texture of your skin and improve your appearance by revealing younger-looking skin and a clear, radiant complexion.
How Do Glycolic Acid Peels Work?
Chemical peels remove a micro-thin top layer of skin, ridding skin of damaged cells and treating wrinkles and fine lines, age spots and skin discoloration, and surface sun damage.
Treatments are often administered in combination with microdermabrasion. The chemical peels are applied through a series of sessions, beginning with a 20-30% glycolic solution and increasing to 70% over the course of treatment.
Do Glycolic Acid Peels Hurt?
Peels can best be described as uncomfortable. The smell – of burnt butterscotch – can be a bit unsettling, but the solution itself causes no pain as it is applied to the skin, much like a face mask.
A slight discomfort is felt as the technician applies the glycolic acid solution. The patient will feel a light chill followed by overall tingling and finally, a light burning sensation as the treatment begins to take effect. The technician will ensure that you remain comfortable, and that your skin is cooled properly.
What Does a Typical Session Involve?
The spa technician will cleanse the patient's skin before the treatment, and will apply a glycolic acid solution followed by a neutralizing solution. Immediately following the treatment, the skin will feel simultaneously tight, and greasy.
How Long is the Skin-surfacing Treatment?
Glycolic acid peels are considered "lunchtime" treatments because a typical session lasts between 35 and 45 minutes, and patients can go back to work immediately after the procedure.
The skin will look good, albeit oilier than usual. A light scent will linger, reminiscent of cucumber, or avocado. This is the neutralizing solution, still resting on the skin's surface while the peel continues to work on the skin's layers.
Forget about nightmare-inducing memories of Samantha Jones is Sex and The City: in most cases, no one will even know that the patient just had a glycolic acid peel.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Be sure to speak to your technician about necessary precautions and possible side-effects. Results will vary depending on the patient and the skin condition being treated. Furthermore, this is a progressive treatment with stronger, more aggressive solutions being applied at each session.
Immediately After a Glycolic Acid Peel
- Redness is sometimes present.
- A temporary itch can develop after a few hours. Do not scratch!
- Skin will soon start to peel and appear chapped. Do not pick at your skin.
- Do not wash your face until the day following the glycolic acid peel.
- Do not apply face cream or toner until the following day.
- Be sure to moisturize and apply sunscreen the day after the treatment.
- Avoid upper lip or eyebrow waxing for about two weeks following treatment.
- Avoid colouring hair for about two weeks following treatment.
- Avoid exercise/sweating for two days following treatment.
- Do not use over-the-counter glycolic acid products such as Reversa or NeoStrata for 2-3 days following treatment.
Results of Glycolic Acid Peels
- Skin receives a healthy glow relatively quickly.
- Cell division is stimulated, resulting in new, healthy, plump cells.
- Fine lines are diminished and the skin is smoother, softer.
- Acne and blemishes are decreased.
- Skin discolorations and surface sun damage are reduced.
- Age spots have been lightened, and skin tone is more uniform than before.
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For more information about glycolic acid peels and other skin resurfacing procedures, contact the Pure Med Spa nearest you.
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