Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels have been around for decades with a proven track record. Depending on the depth of peel and type of chemical used, slight to significant improvements can be made to your skin tone, texture, and blemishes. The peels are classified into “deep” “medium” and “light” peels. The “deep” peel uses phenol and usually is reserved for light colored skin and mainly used to reduce severe wrinkling and sun-damaged skin. The result is usually nothing short of amazing, but the recovery process can be prolonged with down time which can last more than a few weeks and redness, which can easily be concealed can last longer than that. The physician doing this type of peel has to be extremely familiar with all the complications including infection, both viral and bacterial and chance of hypo or hyper pigmentation. Due to its labor-intensive healing process both for the patients and the physicians, it is no longer as popular as it used to be. The “Medium” peel is usually TCA or Jessener/TCA peel, and can yield nice improvements to overall skin texture/tone for light and medium colored skin, but once again the healing process from the peel can take about a week and redness can last longer than that. We recommend repeating the medium peel in three months for optimal long-term result. Dr. Kang prefers to use the Obagi blue TCA peel for its consistent result.

The hardest part is the decision that the patient has to make in terms of choosing the “medium” chemical peel versus” laser” peels which may cost more, but yield more improvement with less down time. Probably the most popular peels are the various ”light” peels using alpha hydroxy acids (Please refer to Medical Skin Clinic section for more information), mainly due to the fact that there is no down-time associated with these peels with almost no side-effect to worry about. Different formulations are offered by different offices but they all work in similar fashion in that the light peels helps to maintain the health of your skin but does very little in terms of significantly restoring or rejuvenating your skin like the deep or the medium peels. It is an excellent adjuvant to patients receiving micro-dermabrasion to maintain optimal healthiness to their skin. During Dr. Kang’s Facial Plastic Fellowship Training in Atlanta in the early 90’s, laser was not in vogue, and therefore he has had extensive training in all three different types of peels, including the after-care, which is so important with the medium and deeper peels.

Esthetician line Chemical Peels

All the peels offered by the esthetician line require no downtime, and is a well proven and safe alternate to laser therapy. However the time and sessions required to achieve adequate result may be significantly longer than using laser. When the patients come in for consultation, the skin is carefully evaluated and categorized based on four sensitivity level:

·  Resilient
·  Normal
·  Sensitive
·  Hyper-sensitive

The skin condition is then carefully analyzed and placed into:

·  Anti-aging
·  Acne
·  Hyperpigmentation
·  Rosacea

Based on the skin sensitivity and skin condition, patient will be recommended the appropriate chemical peel therapy.

Pumpkin Salicylic Acid Peel

This is by far our favorite and most popular esthetician line peel. It is a powerful keratolytic and antioxidant therapy that brightens and rejuvenate the skin. Salicylic acid loosens and clears away dead surface cells while the rich nutrient content in this treatment infuses the skin with high level of vitamins C and A, and antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental damage. This combination is essential to strengthen the collagen matrix that supports healthy, younger-looking skin. The peel includes steps:

1 &3 : Beta- C nutritioner (vitamin and enzyme infusion)

2: Pumpkin Peel Beta-C Mask (highly active antioxidant keratolytic)

4: Beta-C gel (tissue respiratory antioxidant/spin trap)

5: Beta-C Balm (anti-inflammatory ingredients willowherb, white willow bark, and bisabolol)

Clarifying Salicylic Acid Mask Peel This blend of 20% salicylic acid is an excellent treatment for smoothing skin texture and clearing blocked follicles. It offers anti-inflammatory benefits with strong keratolytic actions to create even, healthy skin.

PCA Jessner Peels

These are enhanced Jessner’s Treatment and the proven light to medium depth peel formulas effectively exfoliate with blends of lactic acid, citric, and salicylic acids and resorcinol, while bleaching and inhibiting pigment production with kojic acid and hydroquinone (where indicated). These peels help repair and reduce breakouts, control oil, soften lines, and provide a more even, smoother skin texture. PCA peel comes in three formulas:

1. PCA Peel with Hydroquinone and Resorcinol: this solution combines the lightening and brightening power of hydroquinone, Kojic and lactic acids with strengthening and flaking agents to leave the skin smooth and clear. Most appropriate for achieving dramatic improvement in hyperpigmentation on more resilient skin types.

2. PCA Peel with Hydroquinone: This solution provides all of the lightening and strengthening power of our hydroquinone formula, but with slightly less surface stimulation. Appropriate for all normal skin types for help with acne, hyperpigmentation or surface texture issues.

3. PCA Peel Hydroquinone Free: This is more for sensitive skin and those with hydroquinone allergies. This more gentle solution works to clear acne while improving hyperpigmentation and other signs of photodamage.

Esthetique Retinol Peel

A 20% L-lactic acid and 10% L-retinol cream provides strong exfoliating treatment and is formulated to treat aging skin, laxity, sensitive acne and hyperpigmentation. It offers immediate smoothing, brightening and firming benefits to create glowing, healthy skin.

Detox Gel Deep Pore Treatment

This active blend of lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids effectively penetrate pores to dissolve impactions, kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and remove excess cell debris to leave the skin hydrated, purifies, and clear. It is an excellent choice for detoxifying all skin types. This is one of our aesthetician’s favorite to use prior to extractions to loosen the surface buildup and debris within the follicles.

Oxygenating Trio

This treatment keeps skin free of pollutants and toxin, leading to a brighter and clearer complexion. Steps 1 and 2 condition the skin cells for higher tissue respiration while step 3 stimulates the skin’s metabolism to move toxins and destructive free radicals out of the tissue. Acne and smoker’s skin benefit greatly from this treatment. This treatment will effectively help slow down the appearance of the visible signs of skin aging, kill bacteria and leave the skin glowing, clear and healthy looking.