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What are Peels?

Whether you are looking to tackle troublesome acne or are just looking for a quick skin pick me up, there is a peel for you. They are an extremely versatile treatment that can be used to treat a wide range of concerns.

What are peels?

In the simplest terms, peels are a way to accelerate the skin’s natural exfoliation process. There are a range of different strengths of peels that need to be matched to your skin’s individual needs.

The active ingredient in all peels is some form of acid, which is the main culprit for inducing exfoliation. The most common acids are AHAs, salicylic, glycolic or lactic acid. There will often be other active ingredients in the peels such as peptides, lilac and orange stem cells.

What are the benefits of peels?

This turn over of skin cells can help to alleviate a number of skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, congested skin and acne. They help to improve the texture of the skin and help control oily skin. They can be done in a series every two weeks or as a once off every now and again for a general boost.

What happens at the appointment?

Before having a peel, you will need to have a consultation with your practitioner. It is important that you are honest with them about your concerns, current skin care regime and the amount of down time you are willing to have. Your practitioner will suggest a peel that is suitable for you.

Your face will be thoroughly cleansed and a primer applied to prepare your face for the peel. The peel will then be applied and left on the skin from anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes.

All peels feel slightly different, but you might notice a gentle tingling or warming sensation.

At the appropriate time, your practitioner will neutralise the peel. This is done with a base solution to counteract the acid in the peel. They cannot be simply cleaned off with water.

What can I expect after my peel?

After a peel, it is suggested that you apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun as it might be slightly more sensitive. Most people might feel a bit flushed in the face for 30 minutes or so, but this generally dissipates within the hour.

As the skin on your face exfoliates, you might notice a very light bit of flaking of the skin. A gentle moisturiser should help clear this up.

You can learn more about the resurfacing peels available at Facelove here.

Love your face.