Why Would Anyone do That to Their Face? And 6 Reasons You Should Too!

We are currently in the middle of our 2014 fall 90-Day Challenge.  What is a 90-Day Challenge? You can read more here, but a better question is why would anyone do that to her face???  Chemical peels, part of the comprehensive skin care plan in the 90-Day Challenge, sound scary.  They must be painful right?  Who wants a chemical burn on their face?  Basically, they seem more like a workplace accident than a luxurious aesthetic procedure lovingly applied by the skilled hands of an aesthetician.  But the reality is, chemical peels can be a luxurious aesthetic procedure.  In our office, the products are applied while you relax in a reclined spa bed listening to a soothing waterfall. “Well, that sounds much better, but am I going to look like a monster afterwards?!?”  This is the most common question regarding chemical peels.  The specific answer is that about 2-3 days after the application your skin may start flaking off in a way that appears similar to a sunburn, but without the redness.  However, everyone’s skin tolerance level is different and how much peeling occurs depends on your skin.  We asked our staff members who are doing the 90-Day Challenge to send us some peeling selfies! Here is what they look like and 6 reasons you should get a chemical peel! #1 A chemical peel is what you wish for when you get microdermabrasion.  Microdermabrasion sounds like it is going to wipe off an entire layer of skin and leave the glowing youthful skin you know is really under the layers of skin that have stayed up all-night and partied too hard.  Or maybe your youthful glow is buried under skin drooping under the weight of making breakfast and getting kiddos ready for school everyday.  Either way, the truth is a chemical peel is going to give the brightening and youthful appearance you really want.  While both are superficial, a chemical peel penetrates the skin and gets down to a much healthier, youthful layer of skin. #2 You are not getting any younger.  As we age the rate of cell turnover in our skin slows down significantly.  Chemical peels work with the natural process of skin turnover, returning the rate of cell turnover to the more rapid rate associated with the skin of our youth. #3 Those aren’t freckles, they are the evidence of years in the sun.  As we age our skin tone is no longer the consistent porcelain canvas of our high school years.  Picking at acne, sun exposure, hormonal changes from birth control or pregnancy, and many other environmental factors leave their marks on faces.  Now we have spots: red spots, brown spots, purple spots, etc.  Chemical peels help even our overall complexion and return that smooth appearance.  They temporarily stop the pigmentation cycle, as well as expose new skin undamaged by the sun. #4 Your washcloth isn’t very professional.  Yes, a chemical peel is basically exfoliating the top 2 layers of the total 5 layers that make up the epidermis, which is above your dermis (where collagen and more of the structural aspects of your skin are located).  So, can’t you just take that off with daily vigorous use of your washcloth or one of those awesome spinny–gadgets from the drugstore??? No.  First off, return to reason #1.  Microdermabrasion and vigorous topical exfoliation just don’t go as deep, and since they work against the skin’s natural process they might actually create micro tears in the process.  Furthermore, there are spotty and inconsistent.  It may feel like you have rubbed your whole face raw, but in actuality parts of it were exfoliated and parts were not.  Chemical peels are delicately brushed on in consistent strokes that ensure an even and consistent application, and therefore even and consistent results.     #5 These aren’t the chemicals that left the Joker with that evil grin and disfigured face.  Again, the title ‘chemical peel’ often conjures workplace accidents and chemical burns.  However, a number of chemical peels are derived from nature and come from a tried and true history of beauty rituals.  They say Cleopatra bathed in milk and it could very well be that she was using the benefits of the lactic acid naturally present in milk to increase her cell turnover.  Glycolic acid, a common ingredient in chemical peels, comes from fruit.  These ingredients are safe and have been tested for years in their cosmetic uses.  So you can rest easy knowing that these ‘chemical peels’ are naturally derived ingredients working with the natural process of your skin to create a youthful glow. #6 Fall and winter are the best times of year for chemical peels and resurfacing lasers.  Chemical peels and lasers “work” because they encourage the skin’s natural healing response to turn over skin and regenerate new skin cells at a quicker pace.  However, this means the skin that is revealed in the process is new skin that is extra susceptible to the harsh rays of the sun.  Essentially, the summer months expose you to a degree of sun that counteracts the positive effects of chemical peels and lasers.  So the time is now!!