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 A peel is a body treatment technique used to improve and
smooth the texture of the facial skin using chemical solution or cutting edge
technology that causes the dead skin to slough off and eventually peel off. The
regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Today,
a peel procedure is not only for the rich and famous, as the popularity of this
skin treatment has soared high over the last years. In addition, patients can
choose between the numerous peel types and varieties. Indeed, the available
options include mechanical, chemical, laser or other types of skin peel, and
your choice depends on your goal and the results of a preliminary medical examination.
Chemical peels remove a micro-thin top layer of skin,
ridding skin of damaged cells and treating wrinkles and fine lines, age
spots
and skin discoloration, and surface sun damage. Glycolic acid is a
naturally
occurring acid derived from sugar cane. It is one of a larger family of
acids
called alpha hydroxy, or fruit, acids. Glycolic acid is commonly used in
chemical peels applied to the skin.
Glycolic acid peels are non-invasive, non-surgical facial
treatments that can refine the texture of your skin and improve your
appearance
by revealing younger-looking skin and a clear, radiant complexion.
Moreover, glycolic
acid peel is the most popular chemical peel amongst all. Many prefer it
because
glycolic acid has been widely used in many skin care products. While
glycolic
acid peel is so powerful in enhancing the quality to our skin, its major
advantages remain unknown to some people. Similar to scrub, glycolic
acid peel
literary helps in removing outer layers of skin that are damaged due to
long
hours of exposure under sunlight, pollutants or changes in climate. In
addition, sunspots, wrinkles, blemishes and other imperfections can be
completely or partially eliminated.
A treatment with glycolic acid peel loosens the
inter-cellular substances that hold the surface skin cells to each
other. When
the intracellular cement is loosened, it allows the dead skin to peel
off
readily. Shedding of the old, sun-damaged surface of the skin helps to
encourage new growth of the cells in the skin underneath. The new growth
of
cells results in a fresher, healthier looking skin with more even color
and
texture.
Glycolic acid peels are considered «lunchtime» treatments
because a typical session lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and patients
can go
back to work immediately after the procedure. Repeated peeling offers
good anti-aging
benefits to the skin. The strength of glycolic acid has been found to
affect
the results. Generally the strength of each peel ranges from 20-70%,
depending
on skin sensitivity and the state of the skin at the start of the
procedure.
The spa technician will cleanse the patient's skin before
the treatment, and will apply a glycolic acid solution followed by a
neutralizing solution. The exact duration depends on the particular type
of
solution and its strength. A slight discomfort is felt as the technician
applies the glycolic acid solution. The patient will feel a light chill
followed by overall tingling and finally, a light burning sensation as
the
treatment begins to take effect. Immediately following the treatment,
the skin
will feel simultaneously tight, and greasy, albeit better than usual
(sometime
slightly pink). A light scent will linger, reminiscent of cucumber, or
avocado.
This is the neutralizing solution, still resting on the skin's surface
while
the peel continues to work on the skin's layers.
A little peeling may occur over the next few days. It can be
disguised with moisturizer or normal make-up. Remember, protecting your
skin
from the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Ask your
doctor
to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it
every
day.
However, there are some temporary post-treatment effects
that you may encounter such as skin peel, redness and itchiness. Quite
often
after a chemical peel, a patient's skin will look as if it were
extremely
sunburned. Several days of recovery are often necessary for a complete
recovery
from a glycolic acid peel. Proponents of glycolic acid say that the
process may
appear dangerous or unsightly, but the results are worth the temporary
discomfort.
The effect of glycolic acid facial peels on the deeper
layers of the skin has also been observed with high concentration and
long-term
use. The deeper penetration of glycolic acid peels has been shown to
help in
collagen and elastin regeneration helping the fine lines of aging to
disappear.
Glycolic acid is effective when used correctly and in the
proper concentration level for an individual's exfoliating and
moisturizing
needs. As with any other acid, proper attention must be given to storage
and
access. Young children could experience severe skin rashes or internal
problems
if the products are improperly applied or ingested.
Glycolic peel procedure should be repeated every one - two
weeks. Depending on your goal, the series of peels may include four to
ten
procedures. You will be pleased with the result - healthier, rejuvenated
and
toned acne-free skin with reduced wrinkles, lines and pigmentation.
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