Skin peels have a very long history. Early records show that they were used by ancient Egyptians when women used to apply sour milk to their skin. This sour milk contained lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which rejuvenates the skin. In addition, they used other substances such as animal oils and alabaster to improve the skin’s texture.

In Roman times, people were conscious of their skin and would use fruit such as grapes to exfoliate their skin. The active ingredient responsible for the use of grapes was tartaric acid. Other treatments included poultices containing substances such as sulphur, mustard and limestone, which were used to fade freckles and to even the skin. These ancient records show us that skin care has been important, particularly to women, through much of history.

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Jana Bay Center offers a wide variety of professional chemical peels as well as everyday products to:

• rejuvenate your skin

• correct the effects of the sun

• reduce scaring from acne or trauma

• manage discoloration and wrinkles from aging

• hyperpigmentation

• melasma

• uneven skin tone or redness

 

What are the most common types of peel? 

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• Superficial peels, which use mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate. It only penetrates the outermost layer of skin.

Recovery time is about four to seven days. Your skin may temporarily be lighter or darker

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• Medium peels, which use trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to reach the middle and outer layer of skills. This makes it more effective for removing damaged skin cells.

​Your skin will recover about five to seven days after a medium chemical peel, though you may have redness that persists for months. Your skin will initially swell, and then form crusts and brown blotches before revealing new skin

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• Deep peels, which fully penetrate the middle layer of the skin to remove damaged skin cells; these peels often use phenol or tricholoracetic acid.

Deep chemical peels will cause severe swelling and redness, with burning or throbbing sensations. It’s common for the eyelids to swell shut. It will take about two weeks for the new skin to develop, though white spots or cysts may last several weeks. It’s common for redness to last for several months.

 

During recovery, follow your cosmetologist’s postop instructions faithfully. They’ll give you specific instructions for how often to wash your face and moisturize, and which products you should use to do so. Try to stay out of the sun until your skin has healed, and avoid using makeup or other cosmetics until your doctor gives you the go-ahead. You can use ice packs for 20 minutes at a time, or a cool fan, to help relieve discomfort at home.

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How to prepare for a chemical peel?

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Before your procedure, you’ll first have a consultation with our skin care specialist. During this visit, we will digitally analyze your skin to determine what the best treatment option is for you and select specific peel you’ll be getting.  You also must let the skin care specialist know if you've taken acne medication, and information about whether or not you scar easily.

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Before a chemical peel, you must:

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• not use any type of retinol or retin-A topical medication for at least 7 days

• inform your skin care specialist about any medications you take

• not have been on Accutane for at least six months

• stop waxing, shaving, or using depilatory hair removal products the week before the peel. You should also avoid hair bleaching on your face.

• stop using facial scrubs and exfoliants the week before the peel.

• arrange for a ride home, especially for medium or deep chemical peels

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What are the benefits of chemical peels?

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There are countless benefits that chemical peels can provide you as well as your skin. They can help:

• Increase the skin’s cell turnover rate

• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Even skin tone.

• Eliminate hyperpigmentation.

• Brighten dull skin

• Reduce acne as well as acne scars.

• Treat as well as prevent breakouts.

• Diminish dark spots.

• Shrink pore size.

• Make your skin soft and smooth.

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Before undergoing treatment, discuss chemical peels with your doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing or have a serious underlying health condition.

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