Dermalogica Bio Surface Peel is a new and innovative chemical peel that is a non-surgical solution to reveal newer, fresher skin for the face, neck and hands.

What’s the deal with a peel?

A chemical solution using either Glycolic acid (derived from sugar), Lactic acid (derived from milk) or Salicylic acid (derived by wood bark) is applied to the skin, causing the older damaged layers to blister off. The benefits of chemical peels include the following:

*Lightens dark patches, freckles and age spots

*Reduces fine lines around mouth and eyes

*Treats wrinkles caused by the sun, premature ageing and heredity

*Controls some acne

*Improves appearance of mild scarring

*Improves the look, colour and texture of skin

Immediately after the peel, you should notice a little redness or irritation, this only lasts a short time. Afterwards, you will notice softening of fine lines and wrinkles, and a levelling of acne scars and fading of hyper pigmentation.

What to Expect After a Peel

The response to these treatments can vary depending on the patient’s skin type and depending on how many peels the patient has had. Most will just have some mild redness of their skin right after the peel that will look like they have had mild sunburn and if desired, you are able to put moisturiser conyaing an SPF and makeup directly after the treatment and can go back to work and resume their regular activities. Some times these are called lunch time peels.

Over the next several days, there may be a fine peeling or scaling of the skin, very rarely some crusting or scab formation may form and oftentimes there is actually no visible exfoliation. However, even without visible peeling or irritation most patients will notice that their skin feels softer and smoother and will see fading of areas of discolouration.

You may experience temporary redness, in the form of mild sunburn, which can last for a few hours to a few days, depending on your skin type. Only the lesions treated (not the entire surface area) will darken and crust naturally shedding from the skin after approximately 10 days.

This process is mildly noticeable but won’t dramatically affect your appearance. It is important to protect treated skin from the damaging rays of the sun using a full-spectrum sunblock. SPF50 is highly advised.

Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion and chemical peels both do basically the same thing for your skin, and that is to exfoliate the skin. They remove the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal fresher, smoother skin and both stimulate faster cell turnover to keep your skin fresher.

Microdermabrasion is a mechanical means of exfoliation, that is, it uses a scrubbing action to remove the dead skin cells, while the chemical peel penetrates and exfoliates the skin chemically.

Chemical peels (pharmaceutical strength) offer professional results in the area of: diminishing lines, removing imperfections and darkness, decreasing acne, blackheads and oil production, increasing collagen production, smoothing, firming and evening skin tone.

Comparing the two

Chemical peels/Dermabrasion’s are procedures that will abrade or eliminate the superficial layers of skin and thus, will produce a regeneration of the epidermis that will make the skin plumper and less wrinkled. This will also help with dyschromias and little changes in the pigmentation of the skin.

Peel vs Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion and exfoliating retail products offer professional results in the areas of: buffing, polishing, refining, deep cleaning of pores, and reduction of surface imperfections, for example Dermalogica offer a range of products to facilitate this process such as the following;

* Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant: Is powerful thermal polisher that combines physical and chemical exfoliants to refine skin texture and enhance penetration of ingredients into skin. It is suitable for drier/prematurely-ageing skin.

* Dermalogica Skin prep scrub: This skin polishing scrub with finely-granulated Corn Cob Meal gently removes dulling surface debris, allowing for improved absorption of moisturising treatments. Skin is left with a smooth, healthy-looking finish.

*Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: Dermalogica’s number one exfoliant and winner of best exfoliator 8th year round!. Gentle, Rice-based exfoliating powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother and brighter.

*Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer: A Daily, leave-on exfoliating treatment that brightens, hydrates, evens skin tone, and delivers dramatic smoothing results. Each precisely-measured, leave-on dose contains one application of alpha and beta hydroxy acids and enzymes to smooth the skin, helping to reduce the signs of premature aging without irritation or redness.

*Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant: Dramatically improve skin texture with this two-in-one masque/exfoliation treatment. Non-abrasive formula contains Lactic Acid and Hydroxy Acid to help detach dead skin cells, increasing cell renewal while improving texture for dramatically smooth skin.

So is there any risk?

Neither has any major risks or side-effects and both have limited effectiveness. They can help diminish or even remove superficial scarring and wrinkles, age spots, stretch marks and uneven skin texture. For deeper skin imperfections, you may need a more invasive procedure. See warning below if using a chemical peel and microdermabrasion together.

Remember if you have a Microdermabrasion treatment using either crystals or diamond head, once that service is finished and you walk out the salon the treatment is done. When you have a peel the process will carry on throughout the day stimulating collagen production. In an overall view a chemical peel will have by far greater results than microdermabrasion treatment.

Microdermabrasion After a Chemical Peel

Microdermabrasion is not recommended if you’ve had chemical peeling (Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, TCA, Jessner or any other kind of peel or topical vitamin A/retinol) in the last 14 days because the two exfoliating procedures combined are too aggressive and might affect your skin’s ability to recover. This applies to over the counter systems and professional treatments.

Instructions for After a Peel

*Avoid exercise and sweating (sauna) for a few hours after the procedure.

*Avoid the use of abrasive or exfoliating sponges until face returns to normal condition.

*Apply a fragrance free moisturiser twice a day. (We recommend your favourite Dermalogica moisturiser)

*Avoid products containing alpha-hydroxy acids until the skin returns to normal condition.

*Do not peel the skin, pick the skin, scrape or scratch the skin,

* Do not expose the skin to sun or sun lamps, till the skin returns to a normal condition.

*If possible delay the use of make-up for 24 hours, if you must use very lightly.

Skin Care Following Peel

After the treatment, you should avoid rigorous scrubbing of the treated area for several days. Cleanse the treated area gently. Be sure to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen during the course of your treatment. If you are using Retin-A or other topical medicine creams, wait 2 days to start your routine. This includes any medication for acne, or any of your wrinkle medications including glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid. Always wear and SPF daily, we recommend a SPF50 for maximum solar defense.

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