If you have sensitive skin and have been wondering whether a chemical peel is right for you, this blog post is a must-read. We will talk about how a chemical peel works, how to pick the best one for your skin, how to prepare for a chemical peel and more.
Having sensitive skin can be a curse and a blessing. While it’s great that you don’t need to tolerate harsh chemicals to get your face clean or put on makeup, using products designed for the average person might just leave your face feeling irritated. On the other hand, using products specifically designed for sensitive skin can get pretty pricey. It’s not uncommon to pay $40 each time you visit the dermatologist or facialist, after all. Self-care isn’t as simple as it used to be in this day and age, but is there some way to have your cake and eat it too? Is it possible to have affordable skin care products that are gentle on your skin?
Read on to learn more about Is A Chemical Peel Good For Sensitive Skin, How To Choose Chemical Peel For Sensitive Skin and How To Do A Chemical Peel At Home
Is A Chemical Peel Good For Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, you may be concerned when it comes to different facial treatments such as chemical peels, for fear of your skin having a bad skin reaction. Although this is a common fear, the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute explain how a chemical peel works and how a dermatologist will ensure it is safe for your sensitive skin.
Are Chemical Peels Safe?
Many wouldn’t think a facial with the word “chemical” in it would be safe on people with sensitive skin, but if done correctly, it is safe! A chemical peel removes the outer layer of skin to help reveal brighter skin underneath. They have many benefits such as fading facial discoloration, evening out skin tone from sun damage and improving collagen production. Collagen is naturally produced and helps to keep the skin tight and wrinkle-free. As we age, it is produced less and less but using skin care products or having different facials done can help to increase its production. Having chemical peels done every two months will help you see the best results. There are different types of chemical peels based on the sensitivity of your skin and the results you are hoping to achieve.
Types of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can be mild or medium/deep. Mild chemical peels are for those with mild skin imperfections and are best for those with sensitive skin. A chemical solution with salicylic acid is placed on the face for about 30 minutes before being neutralized and wiped off. Some redness and flaking may appear and last up to one week, but no downtime is needed. After the peel you will notice smoother skin, a change in minor skin discoloration and an improvement in any dry patches on the face.
During a medium/deep peel a higher concentration of salicylic acid is used in the chemical solution applied on the face. The solution stays on the face a bit longer than the mild peel before being neutralized and wiped off. Skin sensitivity and significant shedding of the skin will take place for up to one week after the peel. These peels are best for those looking to eliminate fine lines, acne, and severe skin discoloration.
How to Know if You Have Sensitive Skin
Knowing if you have sensitive skin or not is important as you head into your chemical peel. A dermatologist can help you determine this but some signs include if you have reactive skin. Does your skin show signs of irritation when a certain soap, perfumes or laundry detergent is used? If so, you likely have sensitive skin. Does your skin show signs of redness in the form of a rash or a flushed look? This could be another sign you have sensitive skin. Additionally, if your skin is itchy after using hot water or using certain cleansing products, you likely have sensitive skin. Having sensitive skin just means that you need to pay more attention to products you use and facials you get. Fortunately, a dermatologist can tailor a facial such as a chemical peel to your skin type.
If you are in Bloomington, Illinois or surrounding areas, let the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute give you a chemical peel for bright, glowing skin. Complete this form to get in touch with a dermatologist to help make you an appointment.
How To Choose Chemical Peel For Sensitive Skin
Here are a few parameters you must consider before making a purchase.
- Your needs:
If your skin is acne-prone, select a peel that is a blend of glycolic and lactic acids, such as the [re]fresh Skin Therapy Lactic Acid 10% Peel. If your main worry is hyperpigmentation, opt for a glycolic acid peel such as the Yeouth Glycolic Acid 30% Gel Peel, Medpeel Glycolic Acid 70% Maximum Strength Peel and Open Formula Glycolic Acid Peel.
- Toxin-free:
You must use high-quality skincare products free of toxins so that they don’t deteriorate your skin’s texture or lead to breakouts. You can opt for chemical peels that do not contain parabens, artificial fragrances, such as the [re]fresh Skin Therapy Lactic Acid 10% Peel and ASDM Beverly Hills 25% Lactic Acid Chemical Peel.
- Consult your doctor:
If you have sensitive skin, it is significant that you check without an experienced doctor before you make a purchase. It helps to get your skin tested by a dermatologist to understand what would work and what would not work for you.
Accumulated dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells make your skin and complexion dull. Sometimes even the aging signs that are visible excessively, make you appear old. This is where your skin needs chemical peels. These peels are used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other imperfections and brighten your skin complexion. Unlike regular chemical peels, the peels listed in our article are irritant-free. In addition, some chemical peels combat blackheads and breakouts as well. Consider investing in the peels formulated with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid to provide clear skin. And avoid chemical peels that are not suitable for your skin as they can not provide the desired result.
How To Do A Chemical Peel At Home
Before we start, please be aware that it’s possible to experience negative side effects. These ingredients are very strong and shouldn’t be used casually on a daily basis or more than once a week.
As always, it’s best to consult with your primary healthcare professional first before deciding to do a chemical peel at home. This information is for educational purposes to ensure that if you choose to do a chemical peel, you have the accurate know-how.
With whatever peel you start with, patch test first! For a patch test:
- Apply a small amount of product on your skin in a discreet area, like the inside of your wrist or your inner arm.
- Wait 48 hours to see if there’s a reaction.
- Check the area at 96 hours after application to see if you have a delayed reaction.
Incorporate it slowly into your routine. Your patience will be rewarded, and safety is of utmost importance. More isn’t necessarily better here!
Now, if you still want to take the plunge for healthier skin, follow these steps precisely to mitigate any potential hazards.
It may not seem like enough, and to be honest, it probably isn’t — but when you’re starting out, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ideally, you’d increase the time you leave it on your face by 30 second increments every session until you’ve reached the maximum five-minute limit.
For example, say you were starting off with a 15 percent mandelic acid peel. The first week you’d leave it on for only 30 seconds. The next week, one minute. The week after that, 1 minute and 30 seconds — so on and so forth, until you’ve worked your way up to five minutes.
If you’ve reached the five-minute mark and feel like your chemical peel still isn’t doing enough, this would be the time to move up in percentage. In other words, rather than using a 15% mandelic acid peel, you’d move up to 25% and repeat the whole process, starting again leaving it on for 30 seconds for the first application.
With all that said, as soon as you apply the peel onto the skin, keep track of your timer until the time you’ve allotted has passed (30 seconds minimum, five minutes maximum).
And that’s it! You’ve now successfully completed your first chemical peel!