A chemical peel is a treatment used to improve skin texture and tone. An acid is applied to skin to lower the pH, which loosens the connections between dead skin cells, inducing exfoliation and stimulating new cell growth. This process causes superficial layers of dead skin to peel off, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion. Chemical peels can also thicken the epidermis, increase dermal volume and stimulate collagen.

Chemical peels have been used dating back to Ancient Egypt. Cleopatra used sour milk to improve the appearance of her skin, according to some sources. Lactic acid ( an alpha hydroxy acid) is the active ingredient in sour milk.

Chemical peels are classified as light (superficial), medium or deep, depending on the depth of penetration of the ingredients used. Light peels exfoliate to various levels of the epidermis. Medium-depth peels treat through the papillary and dermis
And deep peels to the mid-reticular dermis. Deeper peels require more downtime and increase the chance of side effects, which include photosensitivity, pigment changes and scarring.

We offer light to medium-depth peels known for their excellent results and safety profile. We believe in repeated treatments for progressive and gradual results, and to avoid the side effects and downtime associated with deeper peels. Chemical peels should be performed by a trained skin care professional in a clinical setting so that they are delivered safely and effectively.

Chemical peels work by deeply exfoliating the surface layers of skin forcing your body to quickly replenish it with new cells. When peels are performed regularly, the skin gets used to this process and begins to rejuvenate itself like younger skin. To be sure that the boy doesn’t react to this deep exfoliation as it would to trauma, which can lead to pigment changes, exfoliation must be introduce gradually giving the skin time to adjust.

Pre-treatment products precondition the skin, accelerate results and minimize complications. Post-treatment products minimize complications, heal and soothe the skin and then maintain the results. Professional treatments enhance the results of your home care products.

Beautiful skin doesn’t happen overnight, and treatments take time to show results. A single chemical peel can provide the immediate effect of bright and radiant skin; however, more significant results in treating textural issues, fine lines and inflamed acne could take up to eight weeks.

Use home care products consistently and as directed to achieve optimal results. Just as you take time to exercise, you need to take time for your “daily skin care workout regimen” in the morning and evening.

Most beneficial ingredients for the skin ten to degrade or denature when placed in the low pH of chemical peel formulas. With that scientific information in mind, AlumierMD peels use only the pure acids; anti-aging, antioxidant and brightening booster ingredients are applied post-peel in our Brightening Accelerator. Since peels remove the outer dead layers of the stratum corneum, the booster ingredients are better absorbed when applied post-peel.

Chemical peels are usually performed on the face, but may also be used on the neck, décolleté and hands.

Peel treatments improve skin texture and firmness, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. Peels also even out skin tone, improve acne-prone skin and reduce pore size appearance.

Some common peeling ingredients include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and retinol. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) include glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and nandelic acid. Salicylic acid is the only beta hydroxy acid. The strength of a chemical peel is determined by the type of ingredients used, their concentrations and the pH of the formulation.

Not all peels are created equally, and one peel type doesn’t suit all. Certain ingredients may be more effective for treating acne, while others may be more successful in treating hyperpigmentation or the signs of aging.

ENZYMES

Like a chemical peel, an enzyme peel is also a treatment used to improve skin texture and appearance. Enzymes are applied to skin, which loosen the connections between dead skin cells, inducing exfoliation and stimulating new cell growth. This process causes superficial layers of dead skin to peel off, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion. Enzyme peels both nourish and exfoliate the skin and are usually made with fruit enzymes. The most popular fruit enzymes are papain, found in papayas, and bromeliain, found in pineapple.

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid):

Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid: Related to aspirin, salicylic acid is an exfoliant with anti-inflammatory properties. It is oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate into follicles to effectively exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, control acne pimples and smooth skin.

AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)

A group of water-soluble carboxylic acids that work on the desmosomes that are sometimes referred to as the “glue” that holds the skin cells together. In the epidermis, AHAs enhance exfoliation and stimulate cellular turnover. In the dermis, AHAs wit greater bioavailability also have been shown to stimulate collagen and elastin production as well as increase skin thickness, which leads to firmer skin.

GLYCOLIC ACID

Naturally found in sugar cane, glycolic acid has a low molecular weight so it penetrates rapidly into the skin. This can potentially lead to irritation and inflammation.

CITRID ACID

Naturally found in oranges and lemons.

LACTIC ACID

Naturally found in milk but biosynthesized for cosmetic formulations, lactic acid has a larger molecular weight than other AHAs, which reduces the chance of skin inflammation.

RETINOIDS

Vitamin A derivatives that stimulate collagen, increase cell turnover and normalize keratinization, creating smoother and more even-toned skin. Retinoids also inhibit melanin transfer from melanocytes to skin cells and enhance the penetration of other pigment-blocking products. Retinoids reduce fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. In addition, retinoids target acne-prone skin by unclogging pores. There are more than 700 published studies on anti-aging and retinoids.