How to prepare for a chemical peel

Chemical Peels

Not all chemical peels are created equal so some may not require all the steps that we are about to list out, but to be on the safe side, I highly recommend doing the following to ensure the best results and minimize skin irriation and issues that can happen when you don’t do these things.

1. Stop using any retinoids

   This includes retinols, tretinoin and any vitamin a derivative products for at least 7-10 days prior to your appointment. Retinoids are a chemical exfoliation and when using these close to the time of your appointment, this can result in a chemical reaction and damage the skin with a chemical burn. Always be sure to tell your esthetician and be truthful as to when you last used your retinoid product.

2. Stop using AHA & BHA product

   Stop using your aha and bra product 48 hours before your appointment. This includes glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl. Lactic and Madelic should be avoided but aren’t as harsh and is up to your esthetician if they feel the need to be off of these as well.

3. avoid the sun

   Wear sunscreen at least an SPF 30 leading up to your chemical peel. Do not use a tanning bed, be out sunbathing or have burned/wind chapped skin. You will not be able to get a peel if your skin is sunburnt.

4. Prep skin with professional skincare

   Depending on the depth of the peel, a tyrosinase inhibitor product must be used 2 weeks prior for those doing a TCA or Jessners or with darker skin tones to prevent pigmentation. Prepping with acids helps as well. Using a skin prep and post kit from your esthetician is key. I personally love the Post Peel Kit from Image Skincare to help any skin type prep and heal from any peel.

I hope this helps and look forward to treating you in the treatment room this winter! If you are in the greater Denver area we would love to have you in for your treatment and start towards your skin goals. We are located in Lone Tree but serve Highlands Ranch, Parker, Castle Rock, Littleton and South Denver metro area.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs for Good

We all love being smooth and hair free but some can develop ingrown hairs from shaving and hair removal services such as waxing or sugaring.

How Do They Develop

Ingrown are caused with irritation and too much buildup of dead skin in the pore where the hair is trying to regrow and push back out of the pore. Some experience these from a bad razor or as the hair is starting to grow back after a wax so around 2 weeks post wax.

How Do I Prevent Them

EXFOLIATE! Exfoliation is going to be your best friend. I recommend two types of exfoliation; chemical and physical. Everyone should own a exfoliation glove (not a washcloth or sponge these harbor too much bacteria). Use this 3x a week in the shower this will help the hair grow back through and not get blocked by dead skin and causing an ingrown hair.
A chemical exfoliation would be a serum or product made to help with ingrown hairs. These usually contain an AHA (Glycolic acid or Salicylic) these work by going deep in the pore and cleaning it as the hair grows back through. I personally recommend Serious Serum - this product was produced by an esthetician and is calming while exfoliating containing glycolic acid, chamomile and willow tree bark.

Hydration & Body Washes

Sometimes we are looking to heal this on our own and learn some fun Ideas from Pinterest on at home care. Here are the ones that I typically hear of and please don’t do this to your skin, you will only make it worse;
- Any type of scrub created at home (sugar, coffee grounds, etc.) these are harsh and cause micro-tears in the skin causing more irritation
-Any hydration oil that can clog your pores or lotions that contain too much fragrance (coconut oil)

What Not To Do Post Wax

You can be causing more harm than good if you are doing the following after your wax:

• working out (before 24 hours)

• wearing tight clothing post-wax

• wearing lacy underwear (if you are struggling with bikini line ingrowns this could be the culprit)

• going to a hot tub or sitting in unclean water (24 hours)

In conclusion…

When getting waxed it does take some extra effort to keep your skin beautiful and smooth but it will work in the long run and keep your enjoying your wax without the painful and unsightly look of ingrown hairs.