Used at its simplest a chemical peel will lift and brighten the tone of your skin. But you can have a chemical peel for any number of reasons – fading age spots, improved texture and smoothing rough skin, fading scarring, hyperpigmentation and imperfections, evening out and unifying your skin tone, tackling early fine lines and wrinkles, rejuvenating ageing skin and reducing outbreaks of spots and acne.
It is also important that a full medical history is disclosed including discussing your propensity to scar. If you’ve suffered from keloid scarring in the past, then peels are not advisable. Are you applying sunscreen on a daily basis? If you want to have peels, then it is a must to wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 everyday to prevent further damage to your skin and post treatment inflammation.
Most of our clients’ say that laser hair removal feels like a slight pinch on the treatment area. Fortunately, the more treatments you receive, the more your body adjusts to the feeling of the laser, making it easier to manage the sensation
Read on to learn more about Is Chemical Peel Good For Blackheads, What You Can Expect During Chemical Peel brazilian laser hair removal how many sessions
Is Chemical Peel Good For Blackheads
h, blackheads. First it was my nose, then it was my chin and now they’ve even claimed my forehead, too. And if, like me, you’ve been scrubbing away at your face in the hopes that your blackheads will magically vanish, it might be time to up the ante and try out a professional skin treatment. So, let’s look at three options that can help remove blackheads and give your pores a good clean.
But, first up, what is a blackhead?
What are blackheads?
Aside from being the skin gripe that knows how to push my buttons above all else, blackheads are a mild form of acne – open comedones, to be precise. In simple terms, they’re clogged pores and they crop up when a mixture of dead skin cells and excess sebum (oil) get stuck inside our pores (a.k.a. hair follicles) and form a plug – lovely. And they tend to hang around the oily places of our skin, like the infamous T-zone.
How can I get rid of blackheads?
The thing about blackheads is that they sit below the skin’s surface. So, simply using a face wash or scrub, unfortunately, won’t necessarily do a great deal in the way of clearing them up. But, before you lose all hope, let’s quickly turn to three fab treatments to let your blackheads know who’s boss.
Chemical peels for blackheads
We all know the deal with chemical peels, right? An acid solution is applied to the face to melt away dead skin cells, taking uneven skin tone, texture and fine lines with it too. (You can head over to this article if you want to learn more).
The chemical peel benefits are great for loads of skin concerns, but there are some particularly great acids which are famous for their ability to kick blackhead bothers to the ground. And the most well-known of the lot is salicylic acid, a type of beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Now, don’t be put off by the term acid and the scientific lingo – it’s a good type of acid, I promise. This BHA works by getting deep inside pores and dissolving blackheads – yes, it actually dissolves them! And after a course of chemical peels (your practitioner will recommend how many), you can bet your blackheads will have improved.
Check out our treatment guide for the low-down and find out the best chemical peel acids for your skin needs here.
Microdermabrasion for blackheads
Okay, now onto microdermabrasion. This skin treatment sloughs off dead skin cells by either using exfoliating crystals or a diamond-tipped tool, combined with a vacuum to suction up the debris. Got oily, congested skin? Welcome to your new favourite skin treatment.
Whilst a microdermabrasion treatment is a fab go-to for lots of skin issues, like hyperpigmentation and sneaky signs of ageing, it’s also great for taking hold of blackheads and removing them straight from the skin. Essentially, the vacuuming effect loosens dead skin cells, brings them to the surface and extracts blackheads – excuse me whilst I go and book myself in!
HydraFacial for blackheads
Now, let’s look at the third and final blackhead treatment: the HydraFacial. This 5-step skincare treatment is what skin care dreams are made of (who doesn’t want a deep cleanse and detox?). And there are a couple of HydraFacial steps which are similar to both chemical peels and microdermabrasion: exfoliation and extraction.
During the exfoliation part of the HydraFacial treatment, different acids are applied to the skin via a pen-like device, where they’re left to do their thing for a couple of minutes. These acids include glycolic and, the familiar face, salicylic acid.
And after your skin has been treated to a round of exfoliating goodness, it’s time for the extraction stage. Here, your practitioner will up the suction for first-class blackhead removal, where your pores are gently freed of dead skin cells and oil using a rotating nozzle. And, if your skin’s particularly prone to blocked pores, an extra dose of salicylic acid can be thrown in, too.
To learn about all 5 steps, as well as the HydraFacial benefits, head on over here.
So, now you know how to get rid of blackheads – well, most of them. It’s likely that the battle to keep these blemishes away will be an ongoing one. And, whilst these treatments can be great for helping us get a clearer complexion, we might just have to learn to live with the odd blackhead!
What You Can Expect During Chemical Peel
Before the procedure
A chemical peel is usually done at an office or in an outpatient surgical facility. Before the procedure, your doctor will clean your face, protect your hair, and cover your eyes with ointment, gauze, tape or goggles.
Pain relief isn’t typically needed for a light chemical peel. If you’re having a medium peel, you might receive a sedative and painkiller. For a deep peel, you might have a sedative, something to numb the treatment area and fluids delivered through a vein.
During the procedure
During a light chemical peel:
- Your doctor will use a brush, cotton ball, gauze or sponge to apply a chemical solution typically containing glycolic acid or salicylic acid. The treated skin will begin to whiten.
- You might feel mild stinging while the chemical solution is on your skin.
- Your doctor will apply a neutralizing solution or wash to remove the chemical solution from the treated skin.
During a medium chemical peel:
- Your doctor will use a cotton-tipped applicator or gauze to apply a chemical solution containing trichloroacetic acid, sometimes in combination with glycolic acid. The treated skin will begin to whiten.
- After a few minutes, your doctor will apply cool compresses to soothe treated skin. You might also be given a hand-held fan to cool your skin. No neutralizing solution is needed, however.
- You might feel stinging and burning for up to 20 minutes.
During a deep chemical peel:
- You’ll be given intravenous (IV) fluids, and your heart rate will be closely monitored.
- Your doctor will use a cotton-tipped applicator to apply carbolic acid (phenol) to your skin. Treated skin will begin to turn white or gray.
- To limit your exposure to phenol, your doctor will do the procedure in portions at about 15-minute intervals. A full-facial procedure might take about 90 minutes.
After the procedure
After a chemical peel of any depth, your skin will be red, tight, irritated or swollen. Follow your doctor’s directions for sun protection, cleansing, moisturizing and applying protective ointments to your skin. And avoid picking, rubbing or scratching your skin. It may take several months before your skin color returns to normal and you can see the full results of the peel.
After a light chemical peel, treated skin will be red, dry and mildly irritated — although these effects might be less noticeable with each repeat treatment. Your doctor might apply a protective ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to soothe the skin. You can usually wear makeup the next day if you wish.
Treated areas take about one to seven days to heal after a light chemical peel. New skin might temporarily be lighter or darker than normal.
After a medium chemical peel, treated skin will be red and swollen. You’ll feel stinging. Your doctor might apply a protective ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to soothe the area and prevent dryness. After five to seven days, you can use cosmetics to cover any redness.
Use ice packs for comfort. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), may help reduce any discomfort. You’ll likely schedule a checkup soon after your treatment so that your doctor can monitor your healing.
As swelling decreases, treated skin will begin to form a crust and might darken or develop brown blotches. Treated areas take about seven to 14 days to heal after a medium chemical peel, but redness might last for months.
After a deep chemical peel, you’ll experience severe redness and swelling. You’ll also feel burning and throbbing, and the swelling may even make your eyelids swell shut.
Your doctor will apply a surgical dressing to treated skin. He or she might also prescribe painkillers. You’ll need to soak the treated skin and apply ointment several times a day for about two weeks.
Treated areas will develop new skin within about two weeks after a deep chemical peel, although redness might last for months. Treated skin might become darker or lighter than normal or lose the ability to tan.
You might prefer to remain at home while you’re healing from a chemical peel. You’ll likely need several follow-up visits soon after your treatment so that your doctor can monitor your healing.
Once new skin completely covers the treated area in about two weeks, you can use cosmetics to conceal any redness. Use sunscreen every day.
Chemical Peel Aftercare
1. Be sun savvy and smother your skin in SPF
Let’s get straight to the point: stay out of the sun and don’t be shy with the SPF. Your face is at its most sensitive post-peel – it’s literally had layers of skin removed! And the new skin that’s revealed after a peel will be particularly vulnerable to harsh sun rays. So, it needs to be looked after more than ever. When you’re not able to stick to the shady spots when out and about, compensate with a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ to shield your skin from dangerous UV rays. Use it for a minimum of 6 weeks post-peel (though it should be a key step in your daily skincare routine, regardless!).
2. Stick to soap-free cleansers
If your cleanser isn’t soap-free, now’s the time to invest in one. Soap-free facial washes are safe on sensitive skin (and your skin will definitely be feeling sensitive following a chemical peel!) and aren’t too drying. Soap makes the skin feel tight and dry by stripping it of its natural oils – and the skin’s already been stripped enough after a peel!
3. Cleanse with cool water
Your skin might be feeling a bit tender after a chemical peel and hot water could be uncomfortable on your new skin – it can also cause inflammation. Wash your face using cool water for a gentle, soothing alternative for your healing skin. But, remember, always pat your skin dry afterwards – don’t rub!
4. Moisturise to the max
Apply a moisturiser to keep dry skin hydrated and to restore some moisture. Your moisturiser should be free of harsh chemicals and irritants (such as acids and acne treatments) which could upset your already sensitive skin. They should also be water-based as moisturisers with high water content are nice and lightweight on the skin. (Bear in mind that moisturising will prolong the peeling process because softened skin won’t flake off as quickly.)
5. Remember, practitioner knows best
This one is probably the best chemical peel aftercare tip. It’s best practice (as always) to listen to your practitioner and follow their advice after a peel. They’ll be able to give you tailored instructions on how to care for your skin post-peel, suited to your skin and the type of chemical peel you’ve had. They may even provide you with a special moisturiser or gel to help with the road to healing.
What should you avoid after a chemical peel?
1. Don’t break a sweat
This means no spa days with a sauna, no sunbathing and no extreme exercise (I can definitely get behind the last point!). Sweat can irritate the skin, so keep cool until your skin’s showing signs of recovery.
2. Step away from the exfoliator
When your skin starts to get dry and flaky, there’s probably nothing you’ll want to do more than grab the nearest exfoliator and rub it all off. But, drop the facial scrub. Lock it away if you have to. Your skin’s (probably) just had the most extreme exfoliation of its life – it doesn’t need more. Wait at least 3 days after a light chemical peel before you exfoliate to give your skin a break. For medium or deep chemical peels, the wait can be weeks – listen to the fifth ‘do’ above and follow your practitioner’s instructions!
3. No peeling, picking or prodding, please
Just like you should ditch your facial scrub, you should also refrain from picking or peeling any loose skin (I know, it’s not easy!). This will perhaps be even harder than the no exfoliator rule. But, interfering with the skin’s natural shedding process can lead to bleeding and scarring, and that’s definitely worse than any temporary flaking.
4. Resist the retinol
Retinols are great skincare products for encouraging new cell growth and turnover – but your skin is already working on this once it’s had a chemical peel. Don’t send your skin into cell turnover overload – wait until it has healed before resuming your retinols. It’s also recommended that you stop using your retinol products a week before your peel.
5. Give your skin some space
Good chemical peel aftercare is all about the healing. Give your skin some time to repair itself before rushing into another skincare treatment – wait a minimum of 1-2 weeks. But, as always, follow your practitioner’s advice on this.
So, there we are! 10 dos and don’ts to keep in mind after a chemical peel treatment. Want to know more about this treatment? Find out how they work, how much they cost, as well as the chemical peel recovery time in our handy superficial peel and medium peel guides. And, if you’re thinking about a chemical peel for acne or acne scars, this article has got you covered.
Brazilian Laser Hair Removal How Many Sessions
Brazilian laser hair removal has become a popular option for those who want a long-lasting solution for hair removal in the bikini area. This type of laser hair removal targets the hair follicles with laser energy, which destroys the follicle and prevents future hair growth. But how many sessions do you need to see results? Let’s take a closer look.
How Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Works
Before we dive into how many sessions you need for Brazilian laser hair removal, let’s first understand how the process works. During the treatment, a laser emits a concentrated beam of light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicles. The heat from the laser damages the follicles, which inhibits future hair growth.
Because hair grows in cycles, multiple treatments are necessary to target all of the hair follicles. The number of sessions required will vary depending on factors such as hair color, skin color, and the thickness of the hair.
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
On average, most people will need six to eight sessions to see significant results from Brazilian laser hair removal. However, it’s important to note that everyone’s hair growth cycle is different, and some people may require more or fewer sessions to achieve their desired results.
It’s also important to space out your sessions appropriately. Most dermatologists recommend waiting six to eight weeks between sessions to allow enough time for the hair to grow back in the treated area. This will allow the laser to target new hair growth and achieve optimal results.
Factors That Affect the Number of Sessions
As previously mentioned, several factors can affect the number of sessions you’ll need for Brazilian laser hair removal. These include:
- Hair Color: The laser targets the pigment in the hair follicles, so people with darker hair may require fewer sessions than those with lighter hair.
- Skin Color: The laser can be less effective on people with darker skin tones, as the laser may also target the pigment in the skin. Special lasers may be used to safely target hair follicles in people with darker skin tones.
- Hair Thickness: Coarser hair may require more sessions than finer hair, as it may be more difficult for the laser to penetrate the follicle.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause can affect hair growth and may require additional sessions.