How To Care For Your skin After A Perfect Derma Chemical Peel

I’m sure we can all remember the episode of Sex and the City when Samantha Jones gets a chemical peel. It all started with a visit to her dermatologist for a touch of Botox, but like many of us, Samantha couldn’t resist another add-on treatment. The only problem? It was the day before Carrie’s book party. And with Samantha as her literary publicist, the only option was to put on a brave face — one that was red, peeling, and day two post-treatment — concealed with makeup under a black funeral veil.

Let’s be honest: NYC’s most eligible cougar zoned out as soon as the dermatologist said, “you’ll look 10-20 years younger.” Which means she either didn’t ask or completely missed what to expect during the treatment and more importantly, the after-care steps. When it comes to chemical peels, specifically the Perfect Derma Chemical Peel, these steps aren’t just precautionary; not following them can provide you with unnecessary discomfort and affect the final treatment results. By caring for your skin properly, The Perfect Derma Chemical Peel is an effective way to address hyper-pigmentation, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin tone. But that’s not to say your skin won’t shed like a snake because it will. It's always better to know the details and prepare for it ahead of time. Read on for an overview of the treatment and the post-care instructions you should follow:

TREATMENT OVERVIEW:

The Perfect Derma Peel is a non-invasive, relatively pain free treatment. It’s slightly different than other chemical peels because of it's powerful blend of ingredients, including:

Glutathione- Neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals, and slows down the aging process to prevent fine lines and wrinkles

Kojic Acid- A powerful lightening agent that’s proven to increase collagen and elastin production, resulting in skin that is brighter and tighter

TCA, Phenol, and Retinoic Acid- Reduce wrinkles and correct pigment problems, such as Melasma, acne scarring, and hyper-pigmentation

Salicylic Acid- Exfoliates the skin and reduces inflammation

The treatment is safe for all skin types and takes approximately 15 minutes. To avoid any discomfort, a numbing agent is applied to the skin. However, you may feel a slight stinging or tingling sensation, which typically lasts only 30-60 seconds. After one treatment of the Perfect Derma Peel, overall skin tone and complexion will appear smooth, glowing and fresh. For conditions such as Melasma and active acne, multiple treatments (about 2-3 a year) may be necessary for desired results, and for regular maintenance and rejuvenation.

AFTER CARE GUIDE + WHAT TO EXPECT:

Immediately After (or Day 1):

• Skin will appear red like a sunburn, or sometimes darker

• The peel solution should remain on the treated areas for at least 6 hours. During the first 6 hours, do not wash, touch, rub, or apply make-up to the treated area.

• Normal activities may be resumed immediately post peel, but avoiding heavy exercise and excessive sweating is recommended

• Avoid sun exposure for the next two weeks

• Do not wear makeup or use any other skin products. However, the Perfect Derma Moisturizer with 1 % hydrocortisone (included in Patient Home Care Kit) may be used after 6 hours if:

  • Skin feels irritated

  • You were treated for Melasma or hyper-pigmentation

  • The Perfect Derma Plus booster was added to the peel treatment

Day 2:

AM:

• Gently wash and dry the treated area, follow with the first post-peel towelette and let dry thoroughly. After 30 minutes, apply a layer of SPF 30 and makeup, if desired

PM:

• 30-60 minutes before bedtime, gently wash and dry the treated area. Apply the second post-peel towelette and leave the solution on overnight

• If you are experiencing excessive irritation or discomfort, apply a small amount of The Perfect Derma Moisturizer 2-3 times daily. You may also apply a cold compress against the irritated area for relief

• If there is no significant irritation, do not use any moisturizing products on the treated areas until peeling begins (usually day 3). Avoid excessive sweating, sauna or heavy exercise during peel process

Day 3-6:

• Peeling should begin on Day 3. You’ll probably notice it’s more severe around the nose and mouth, due to facial movement. It will then continue to move outward to the forehead and cheeks, down to the neck. After you begin to peel, apply The Perfect Derma Moisturizer (included in the Patient Home Care Kit) to the treated areas 2-3 times a day to control the peeling and relieve the tightness. This moisturizer should be used for one (1) week for Caucasian patients and two (2) weeks for Asian, Hispanic and African American patients. If The Perfect Derma Moisturizer runs out, a 1% hydrocortisone cream may be substituted

• Do not rub, pick or pull on the skin and let the peeling occur naturally to prevent scarring. Gently wash (do not scrub) and dry the treated area morning and night. Then follow with The Perfect Derma Moisturizer as needed. An SPF 30 should be applied every two hours if there is sun exposure

Day 7 + :

The peeling process should be almost complete, but mild sloughing may still occur in the treated area. Continue to protect the skin with SPF 30+ daily

If you’re thinking of trying it out, watch this episode of The SASS when Susan Yara and Sharzad Kiadeh tried the Perfect Derma Chemical Peel at Blue Medical Spa. It will give you an even better idea of what to expect and what post-care products to use, plus it’s always fun to follow along on the journey!