For those times you may not be ready for a full facial rejuvenation, there is the fruit acid peel or the TCA peel. These medical strength facial peels are more effective than fruit acid preparations available from beauty therapists and department stores. They are more effective yet will not leave you with significant “downtime”. They may also give you a better idea what benefits a full facial resurfacing using a laser may bring.

Why a facial peel?

As we age our skin changes. Lines and wrinkles are caused naturally with age, heredity and the pull of gravity. Overexposure to the sun, smoking, alcohol consumption, air conditioning and pollution all increase the aging process faster. Fine lines, wrinkles & irregular pigmentation appear in the face where there was once soft, smooth skin.

What will a facial peel achieve?

Facial peeling is a technique used to freshen the skin, soften fine lines, increase the circulation and improve the skin overall. It lightens pigmentation of the of the skin in the form of sun spots, liver spots, freckles, blotchiness due to sun damage. Mild acne scarring & certain types of acne can also be treated. Today we approach the skin by preparing the skin prior and peeling less deeply and more often than we used to in the past. A special skin cream preparation treatment will need to be applied daily for at least 4 weeks. This pre-treatment regime will allow for greater absorption of the preparation by gently encouraging the regeneration process of skin cells and shedding of the thickened, outer layers of the skin. A more uniform depth and a predictable peel can be achieved. The depth of the peel can be adjusted depending on your needs, skin type and skin damage.

How are facial peels performed?

Facial peels have been performed for over 70 years. There are 2 types of solutions used in facial peels: Fruit acids and TriChloroAcetic Acid (TCA). Phenol is not commonly used anymore, as complications in were common in experienced hands. The procedure is performed in our treatment room. You will recline in a comfortable treatment couch with soft music playing. You may wish to have a medication to relax you but most of our clients find that this is not necessary. Your skin will be cleaned thoroughly with a special prep to remove any oil and makeup residue. The peel solution is painted on the skin with cotton swabs. A white “frosting” occurs over 5 minutes. The white colour will diminish as the preparation is absorbed. Your face will then appear flushed as if sunburnt and the skin will feel tight. You will need to be picked up by a responsible adult as you won't be allowed to drive home.

What do you feel during the procedure?

During the procedure, most patients experience a warm to somewhat hot sensation, which lasts 5-10 minutes, followed by stinging sensation. The deeper peels may require pain relief during the procedure.

What to expect after treatment?

The peel solution causes separation and eventual peeling of upper layers of skin, enabling new regenerated skin to appear. Reactions will depend on the depth of the peel. A reaction similar to a mild to severe sunburn occurs following a facial peel. Superficial peeling usually involves redness, followed by scaling that ends within 3-5 days. Mild TCA's may be repeated as often as monthly. As the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to injury during the healing stage avoidance of the sun for the next 3 months is mandatory as the skins tanning cells are too immature to protect it. It is important to where sun protection & a hat. It is also a good idea to sit in the shade wherever possible in these 3 months.

What are the limitations of facial peels?

Light, medium & deep FACIAL peels can be performed on the face. Light peels can only be used on the eyes, neck, chest, hands, arms and leg areas. Facial peels cannot eliminate sagging of excess skin. They don't substitute for an eye, brow or facelift, as they cannot correct the gravitational forces that produce loose skin. Facial peeling will not remove deep scars, laser resurfacing or dermal fillers can be more effective for these. Facial peels cannot change pore size, or remove broken capillaries, however, facial peels may improve the appearance of these conditions.