I've never been one to endure self-inflicted pain in the name of beauty, however, I've under gone a series of two chemical peels over the past month and I have to admit the end result is stunning. I originally began having chemical peels done because I had a couple of spots of sun damage on my left cheek that my dermatologist seemed worrisome enough to want to have removed. The most effective way to remove hormonal sun damage like I had was through a chemical peel. So, for the first time in my life I made an appointment with the aesthetician at my dermatologist's office and experienced the "hot" sensation that is a chemical peel.
The first one I had done a month ago sent me for a little loop. I was told by the aesthetician that my face would feel "hot" once the peel was applied. The chemicals were to remain on my face for about five minutes and then water was to be applied to stop the reaction. About two minutes in the "hot" sensation was too much to tolerate as by "hot" the aesthetician meant that it felt like someone had rubbed hot sandpaper onto a sunburned face and then put your head in an oven. I had the peel stopped about three minutes too soon. I peeled over the weekend (for about three days) but it was more like flaking a bit than really peeling. Still though, the sun damage was mostly gone by the time it was done. In fact, when I went for my follow up the dermatologist was so impressed that she decided that I only need one more peel rather than three more!
I had the second one done last week and this time I was prepared. It was painful, but I managed to suffer through two different layers of chemicals and a total of ten minutes in beauty hell. One of the peels turned my face yellow for about thirty minutes afterwards but I had the afternoon off so no worries there. They say that you should begin peeling about 48 hours after you have a peel done. I began peeling the next afternoon! Aside from one day at work when I looked unbelievably hideous, the peeling part went rather well. I actually peeled, like a boss if I may be so bold. Sheets of skin were coming off. I had to go to a Broadway production on Saturday night so I had to put makeup on over the peeling, not fun. Also, because I began peeling sooner than was anticipated some the new skin was still a little raw, red, and tender. After applying a base layer of concealer with my fingertips, I was able to cover it with foundation. I actually looked surprisingly normal.
It's been a week since I finished peeling after receiving two of the strongest peels that are offered. The raw, red skin eventually healed and peeled a little again. It took some time but I've finished peeling and all of the skin has healed. The sun damage is completely gone and the few acne scars that I had are virtually gone. Also, my charming adult acne has cleared up beautifully and has not come back over the past month.
Are chemical peels painful, truthfully, yes they are, very much so. However, they do provide the results that they promise. They remove dark spots, acne scars, wrinkles (allegedly), and they definitely clear up moderate acne. Granted you have to shed a layer of skin like a snake but what lies beneath it is as smooth as a baby's bottom. I'm supposed to have "maintenance" peels done once every three to six months as the sun damage will continue to come back as mine is supposedly cause by my skin pigmentation and my hormones. The maintenance peels will not be as severe as the last peel that was done. They will be more like the first peel although I should peel more than I did the first time around. As for working while peeling, yes it's humiliating and I found myself giving verbal warnings to co-workers who walked up behind me before I would turn around, but once they saw me the following Monday they all said that they wanted to have a peel done too! Trust me, it's a few minutes pain and a couple of days of discomfort for months of healthy skin. By the way, the actual peeling doesn't hurt. Your skin will just feel really tight like it would right after a bad sunburn. The peeling is usually welcomed as it relieves the tightness.
Hopefully this post inspired rather than frightened. I've had two of the strongest peels they make, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, minus having to go out to a Broadway show while peeling, of course. Give it a shot, you might be pleasantly surprised. I certainly was.
The first one I had done a month ago sent me for a little loop. I was told by the aesthetician that my face would feel "hot" once the peel was applied. The chemicals were to remain on my face for about five minutes and then water was to be applied to stop the reaction. About two minutes in the "hot" sensation was too much to tolerate as by "hot" the aesthetician meant that it felt like someone had rubbed hot sandpaper onto a sunburned face and then put your head in an oven. I had the peel stopped about three minutes too soon. I peeled over the weekend (for about three days) but it was more like flaking a bit than really peeling. Still though, the sun damage was mostly gone by the time it was done. In fact, when I went for my follow up the dermatologist was so impressed that she decided that I only need one more peel rather than three more!
I had the second one done last week and this time I was prepared. It was painful, but I managed to suffer through two different layers of chemicals and a total of ten minutes in beauty hell. One of the peels turned my face yellow for about thirty minutes afterwards but I had the afternoon off so no worries there. They say that you should begin peeling about 48 hours after you have a peel done. I began peeling the next afternoon! Aside from one day at work when I looked unbelievably hideous, the peeling part went rather well. I actually peeled, like a boss if I may be so bold. Sheets of skin were coming off. I had to go to a Broadway production on Saturday night so I had to put makeup on over the peeling, not fun. Also, because I began peeling sooner than was anticipated some the new skin was still a little raw, red, and tender. After applying a base layer of concealer with my fingertips, I was able to cover it with foundation. I actually looked surprisingly normal.
It's been a week since I finished peeling after receiving two of the strongest peels that are offered. The raw, red skin eventually healed and peeled a little again. It took some time but I've finished peeling and all of the skin has healed. The sun damage is completely gone and the few acne scars that I had are virtually gone. Also, my charming adult acne has cleared up beautifully and has not come back over the past month.
Are chemical peels painful, truthfully, yes they are, very much so. However, they do provide the results that they promise. They remove dark spots, acne scars, wrinkles (allegedly), and they definitely clear up moderate acne. Granted you have to shed a layer of skin like a snake but what lies beneath it is as smooth as a baby's bottom. I'm supposed to have "maintenance" peels done once every three to six months as the sun damage will continue to come back as mine is supposedly cause by my skin pigmentation and my hormones. The maintenance peels will not be as severe as the last peel that was done. They will be more like the first peel although I should peel more than I did the first time around. As for working while peeling, yes it's humiliating and I found myself giving verbal warnings to co-workers who walked up behind me before I would turn around, but once they saw me the following Monday they all said that they wanted to have a peel done too! Trust me, it's a few minutes pain and a couple of days of discomfort for months of healthy skin. By the way, the actual peeling doesn't hurt. Your skin will just feel really tight like it would right after a bad sunburn. The peeling is usually welcomed as it relieves the tightness.
Hopefully this post inspired rather than frightened. I've had two of the strongest peels they make, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, minus having to go out to a Broadway show while peeling, of course. Give it a shot, you might be pleasantly surprised. I certainly was.
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