Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

We’ve talked about facials now I’d like to talk about facial peels. You may have heard the term “chemical facial peel”. The facial peels we do at Fantasia are “light chemical peels”. It is a treatment similar to a facial yet different.

Candidates for a light chemical peels would be those with problematic skin, sensitive skin, aging skin, hyperpigmentation, or photodamaged skin. The purpose of a chemical peel is to remove blemished, damaged skin. The damage can be from many things such as acne, sun damage, freckles and signs of aging including fine lines and wrinkles.

AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are the mildest of all peels. The AHA that we use, SkinCeuticals products, are combined with glycolic and lactic acid or salicylic and mandelic acid. SkinCeuticals gel formulations ensures maximum acid delivery to target areas.

The 20 percent glycolic/10 percent lactic mixture offers the following benefits:

• provides superior exfoliation due to glycolic acid
• improves hydration due to lactic acid stimulating glycosaminoglycans production in the epidermal and dermal levels
• is less irritating than a pure glycolic peel
• improves collagen synthesis and remodels existing collagen
• improves elastin fibers in dermis
• encourages cell renewal
• improves the appearance of skin discolorations by dispersing melanin granules more evenly in the epidermis
• increases ceramide levels in the stratum corneum

The 20 percent salicylic/10 percent mandelic mixture provides the following benefits:

• dissolves sebum and cellular debris in pores due to lipid-solubility of salicylic acid
• exfoliates skin without irritating
• improves collagen synthesis and remodels existing collagen
• improves elastin fibers in dermis
• encourages cell renewal
• improves the appearance of skin discolorations by dispersing melanin granules more evenly in the epidermis
• increases ceramid levels in stratum corneum

The base ingredients in both of these gels is a Mediterranean fruit vinegar (a complex of apple vinegar and apricot and peach extracts) which supplies citric and malic acid to enhance exfoliation capabilities, softens and invigorates skin and has anti-bacterial properties.

In discussing facials, we mentioned that you should have them every six weeks or perhaps seasonally. With regard to light chemical peels which have the benefit of not causing the client any down time or irritation, it will depend on the condition being treated and the skin type. Weekly applications are typically recommended and a series of 6 peels will achieve significant skin improvement. Again, your esthetician will work with you based on your budget and unique skin care needs.

You should know that complications from light chemical peels are extremely rare. Possible complications during the peel may inculde intense burning, erythema, headache or nausea.

We have an esthetician on staff at Fantasia who would love to discuss the different procedures with you, whether you are thinking about facials, chemical peels or microdermabrasion. If you feel you are looking old and tired, we have a solution for you!