Benefits of professional peels
Chemical peels sound scary, don’t they? But believe me, they can work wonders for your skin, if used correctly and carefully. I am a vocal advocate for chemical peels because I have seen dramatic results with my own skin. I would advise you to try these out if you have acne, acne scars, uneven skin tone, hyper pigmentation, hypo pigmentation, oily skin, dry skin, sun damage, mature skin, and open pores. However, I must also add a strong word of caution here: chemical peels are not regular, over the counter products that one can apply at home. They are different from home peels (more on those in my upcoming posts) and are extremely strong products that must be used under medical guidance. There are a number of peels that one can order online and use at home, but please stay away from those. You will only burn and damage your skin.
Chemical peels are suitable for all skin types, for both men and women, over the age of 21. Please start with these only after consulting a dermatologist who will recommend the type, strength, and post-peel home care that is suitable for your skin type and specific problem. I do 4-6 peels in a year, strictly under medical guidance, to treat my pigmentation problem. Pigmentation is a very difficult issue to address, and while facials and home care can fade pigmented spots, the problem never really goes away. You can’t cure pigmentation the way you can cure other skin problems; don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise. Chemical peels help in tightening and toning skin. They also get rid of open pores, making your skin radiant and healthy. I go in for intense facials, which show instant results. Facial treatments are expensive and time consuming, so I don’t want to compromise on quality. The two peels I use most often are Obagi Medical Blue Peel Radiance and Skinceuticals Gel Peel.
OBAGI BLUE PEEL RADIANCE
This is not to be confused with Obagi Blue Skin Peel which needs prep time, goes very deep into the skin and is not suitable for everyone. The Obagi Blue Peel Radiance is a salicylic acid based hydrating peel. To be honest, it does feel uncomfortable, but only for about 40 seconds when the acid is applied. My therapist keeps it on for just about 7 minutes and then sponges it off, applies hydrating moisturiser and a high strength sun block. This helps with lightening pigmented areas and it also tightens, tones and moisturises my skin. The results are almost instantaneous and I start seeing the difference in my skin after just one session. People using this for the first time are likely to peel a little extra but that is expected and normal. This does cause some redness as well. The therapist will advise you on the number of sessions required after a thorough examination of your skin. This particular peel is suitable for all skin types except very sensitive ones. Peels burn the top layer of the skin and leave it hyper sensitive to sunlight. So, definitely avoid going on a beach holiday or exposing your skin to direct strong sunlight immediately after this treatment.
SKINCEUTICALS GEL PEEL
I love almost all Skinceuticals products and treatments. This is a glycolic acid + lactic acid peel and it requires no downtime. It burns a little when applied but it is not unbearable, and the results are almost instantaneous with this one too. Glycolic acid penetrates deep into the skin because it has smaller molecules than salicylic acid. This helps boost collagen formation and increases skin thickness. The acidic blend does not dry out the skin too much and this is very effective in addressing pigmentation issues.
These peels (glycolic/salicylic/lactic) are available in India. The specific brands might not be easily available but you will always get other brands with the same quality and effectiveness. If you are indeed going in for a chemical peel, then try to take the last appointment of the day at your therapist’s. This will ensure there is zero sun exposure after your procedure.
Last but not the least, here are some excellent therapists and experts who can help you with chemical peels.
1-DR SIMAL SOIN-AAYNA -917042297304, New Delhi
2-KAYA SKIN CLINCS – Pan India
3-JAMUNA PAI-SKINLAB-46161250, New Delhi
4-JAMUNA PAI-SKINLAB-0226704242, Mumbai
5-JAMUNA PAI-SKINLAB-7259200200, Bangalore
Do try out chemical peels for some amazing results but remember to always take a doctor’s advice and get the procedure done by professionals and reputed therapists.
Let me know about your experience with chemical peels. Write to me below or using #stayrealstayyou on Instagram @shagunkhanna