What to Expect and Aftercare

• PCA Peels

  Sensipeel, Sensipeel Ultra, Chemical Peel with Resorcinol and Hydroquinone, Retinol Peel.

  What to Expect

  The doctor or aesthetician will start by cleansing your skin. Then, using a brush or spatula, they’ll apply the chemical peel solution in a number of layers, as determined to best suit your skin. Your entire appointment should take less than 30 minutes. After the peel is applied, you can go about the rest of your day and wash your face the next morning.

  Aftercare

  Some redness and irritation is to be expected, but a strong burning or itching feeling could be a sign of a chemical burn. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or an ointment like Aquaphor can help calm your skin down. To protect your newly revealed skin from sun damage, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more and avoid direct sun exposure—both good habits to keep up even after your skin finishes peeling.

• VI Peels

  VI Peel, VI Peel Advanced, VI Peel Purify, VI Peel w/ Precision Plus, VI Peel Purify w/ Precision Plus

  What to Expect

  Your aesthetician will provide protective eyewear and suggest keeping your eyes closed to avoid harm to your eyes during treatment. Once your skin is cleansed with acetone to “de-grease” the surface layer, several layers of the solution will be applied by your aesthetician with with cotton-tip applicators, small makeup pads, or a paintbrush. The application itself takes only a minute. You may feel some tingling or burning during the application, but most people find this sensation brief and tolerable. After this, you shouldn’t feel any pain. Your skin may temporarily turn frosted-white in the areas where you’ll get the most peeling. Once the peel solution penetrates completely, your provider will apply sunscreen, to protect your skin. You’ll leave the office with the solution still on your skin and instructions to rinse it off in four hours. 

  Aftercare

  After you rinse off the peel solution, you’ll be free to apply makeup until the peeling begins. Depending on which VI Peel you had, you’ll also receive three to five VI Peel towelettes for home use. They contain vitamin C and tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A), which will boost the peel’s exfoliating effects and encourage the layers of skin to slough off.

  Because you’re removing the solution at home, you play a big role in making sure your recovery goes well and you end up with the results you want. 

  The VI peel is considered safe with few risks or complications, but it is possible to see changes in pigmentation. Reduce this risk by avoiding exercise, sweating or significantly raising your body temperature for the first three or four days after treatment as these activities can cause blistering or hyperpigmentation. Dark skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation so check with your provider before a peel and follow post-peel instructions carefully.

• Melanage™

  Melanage and Mini Melanage

  What to expect

  The mask is applied during a spa visit where it is freshly compounded to ensure its potency and reliability. The white mask remains on the skin for 5, 8 or 10 hours, depending on the skin type. The mask is then removed at home after the required length of time prescribed by their aesthetician. There is an easy-to-follow, but strict, at-home regimen included with the treatment. It will include everything needed to care for your skin in the following weeks.

  Aftercare

  in general patients will experience up to one week of peeling after treatment and may feel a sunburn sensation though not all patients experience shedding; this does not mean you aren’t receiving the benefits of the peel. It is important to use sunscreen and hats when outdoors in the weeks and months following their peel. Post-treatment instructions should be followed carefully for optimal results.

  The full Melanage peel may only be required every 12 months. The Mini Melanage™ may require a series of 4 treatments that will be scheduled 3 weeks apart.