Over the decades, chemical peels have continued to enjoy immense popularity in the world of skincare for their amazing ability to improve a variety of skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and acne. But today’s peels are truly ‘next generation’ when it comes to their power to dramatically improve the health and appearance of your skin, sometimes with little to no downtime. Refinery Skin Clinic proudly offers a portfolio of peels that are as unique as the clients and skin concerns they treat! This versatility allows your Refinery Advanced Practice Esthetician to customize your chemical exfoliation to your goals and the desired downtime. Let’s look at how chemical peels work and why they are an excellent option to correct, revitalize, and maintain your complexion throughout the year!
What exactly IS a chemical peel?
Chemical peels are blended solutions of select acids that trigger the exfoliation of dead skin cells when applied to the skin. They are incredibly versatile, and most can be used on the face and body to address common skin concerns like acne, scarring, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and even sensitivity. Chemical peels safely lift away damaged skin cells to reveal the healthier, more radiant skin beneath. Refinery Skin Clinic offers several different chemical peels known for their clinical effectiveness, efficacy, safety, and results. Your provider will customize your chemical peel experience to address precisely what your skin needs and will benefit most from.
What are some of the benefits of chemical peels?
Many of our clients fall in love with how their skin looks after their peeling process is complete: bright, luminous, dewy, and glowing! But the benefits continue! Other improvements you may notice in your skin after a peel or series of peels include:
- Smoother, firmer skin
- A lessening in the appearance of acne scarring
- Clearance of any present acne and a reduction in future acne breakouts
- Reduced surface oil and a less oily complexion overall
- A significantly more even, clear skin tone
- A reduction in facial redness and flushing
- Softening fine lines and wrinkles
- A major boost to your skin’s brightness and luminosity
What skin concerns can chemical peels treat?
The sky is the limit on what improvements chemical peels can make to your skin. Because Refinery Skin Clinic offers a broad range of peels, we have the perfect match to address any skin concern! Here are the most common concerns our clients have that our AP Estheticians are able to improve with a series of the correct chemical peels:
- Acne and acne scarring
- Congested skin (blackheads/whiteheads)
- Fine lines, wrinkles, and aging skin
- Sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration/dark spots
- Rosacea and sensitive skin
- Dry, flakey, and dehydrated skin
- Rough and uneven skin texture
- Devitalized, lackluster skin
What happens during a chemical peel treatment?
A consultation with a Refinery Skin Clinic Advanced Practice Esthetician is required before scheduling your first chemical peel with us. This personalized session is designed to understand your unique skin concerns and goals, ensuring that the chemical peels recommended are the best match for your skin’s needs and your desired amount of downtime.
During your first appointment, your AP Esthetician will cleanse your skin and apply the chemical peel solution to your face and neck (or other body area) in a series of passes. The acids in chemical peels work by dissolving the bonds between the oils of your skin and dead skin cells. You may notice a light tingling, prickliness, and heat when a peel is first applied to your skin. These sensations are chemical reactions that take place and are completely normal. Some peels offered at Refinery Skin Clinic need to be neutralized and removed after treatment; other peels you wear home on your skin overnight! Your provider will recommend appropriate skincare before and after your peel to enhance your results and ensure your safe healing post-treatment.
What will my skin be like after a chemical peel?
Most Refinery Skin Clinic clients love how their skin looks immediately after a peel — bright, tight, glowing, and dewy! This feeling can continue for the first two days, but with most peels, you will begin to experience flaking or peeling by day three or four. (If you don’t peel, don’t worry – the peel is still working, you just had less buildup of dead skin!) This exfoliation of dead cells can continue for up to 10 days, depending on which peel was performed and how many layers were applied. Though tempting, you must not pick or pull off any shedding skin because this can lead to pigment changes and scarring. A daily SPF must be used to protect the fresh, healthy skin coming to the surface. This is crucial as your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after a peel, and unprotected sun exposure can reverse the benefits of your treatment.
How many chemical peels will I need?
That depends on you, your skin’s current condition, and your goals! Depending on your skin concerns, chemical peels are typically recommended in a series of treatments spaced two to four weeks apart. This interval allows the peel to treat deeper layers of the skin with each passing treatment. In some cases, chemical peels can be combined with other forms of exfoliation, like dermablading, to increase the intensity of your exfoliation.
Peels are an excellent way to improve and maintain the health of your skin throughout the year, but caution should be observed when your skin is tanned or will be exposed to the sun. For this reason, most clients begin their chemical peel series in the Fall or Winter.
What chemical peels does Refinery Skin Clinic offer?
Refinery Skin Clinic offers the entire family of VI Peels® as well as SkinMedica® peels. VI Peels® are some of the most popular peels in the world for both face and body. They offer six uniquely formulated treatments designed to lift pigment, remove sun damage, alleviate acne and scarring, and fight fine lines and wrinkles. The VI Peel® is painless and safe for all skin types and tones, with results in as little as seven days!
SkinMedica® offers three peels, ranging from a light peel that boosts your skin’s vibrancy with minimal downtime to a more moderate-depth peel that leads to significant improvement in fine lines and acne scarring after a series of only three to six peels!
How do I maintain the results of my chemical peel?
Your Refinery Skin Clinic AP Esthetician will recommend specific skincare products immediately after your chemical peel and between peels to help care for your skin and further enhance your results. SkinMedica’s EVEN & CORRECT Advanced Brightening Treatment and the LUMIVIVE™ System are strongly recommended for clients wishing to improve their skin’s tone and luminosity with peels, which will further improve pigmentation. We also recommend a physical SPF, like SkinMedica’s Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 34, to protect your skin after receiving a chemical peel.
Are chemical peels worth it?
If you love the look of bright, even, luminous skin all year round, chemical peels are worth it! If you want to see improvements to your skin’s tone and texture but aren’t ready for laser therapies, then chemical peels are worth it! If you’re looking for a cost-friendly and highly effective way to maintain and enhance the health and appearance of your skin, then YES, chemical peels are worth it!
Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Refinery Skin Clinic Advanced Practice Esthetician today to see what chemical peel is perfect for you by calling or texting (952) 479-0603!