3 Reasons Why Your Chemical Isn’t Working
If you are like me after the summer fun and the fading of your tan, you see the damage of your travels. Dark spots are more prominent and your skin feels a little drier than normal, you may be experiencing breakouts, and you are noticing fine lines you hadn’t noticed before. What are you going to do? I have an idea! Step away from the mirror and book a chemical peel.
Chemical peel facials are often misunderstood. Many people go back to the Sex and the City episode with Samantha bright red and a blistering face…you remember? But, there are many types of peels and nowadays you don’t even have to visibly peel to have results. The key is working with your esthetician or dermatologist to determine your goals and your current at home program to determine what may be best for you. So why even call it a peel? It seems misleading. What it is designed to do is to encourage skin regeneration and allows corrective products to penetrate deeper. But you have to follow a few rules. One may be waiting until “chemical peel season”.
If you follow skincare on social media you heard the term “chemical peel season”. It occurs this time of the year between August and May. It’s no coincidence that it happens around the same time the kiddies are in school. Less vacations are happening and you are more likely to be compliant with the after care instructions. However, depending on your lifestyle and where you live, you can get a peel anytime. But let’s uncover the general reasons why NOW is the time!
Yes, there are some things you have to do after a peel, but it is totally worth it and we will talk about that.
SUN
Although it is important to get vitamin D, cooler weather can be the best time for chemical peels as most people are not lying out in the sun, hanging at the pool or attending outdoor events which can exacerbate skin discoloration and aging concerns. A chemical peel exposes new layers of skin through exfoliation using various acids that penetrate deeper than enzymes for quicker results. Because you are using chemicals, it is possible for you skin to protect itself creating more melanin when there is trauma. With newly exposed skin, the sun rays can penetrate to the deeper levels of the skin creating a trauma response making hyperpigmentation worse. Plus, you are more prone to burning and may feel an intense warmth from the sun hitting your skin. Please note I am specifically talking about extended time in the sun not things like walking your dog.
Now for those living cold weather climates, you are not quite off of the hook. What we fail to talk about are those living in cold weather places like Alaska, Colorado, Upstate New York, etc. If you are an avid skier or outdoor enthusiast you may still be at risk for increased hyperpigmentation as the sun rays are even stronger when reflected off of fresh snow. Actually, snow can reflect 90 percent of UV radiation, which is nearly double what you get from direct sun. Crazy, right! So it’s important to take into account your lifestyle as well as the weather when determining when the best time for treatment may be for you.
SPF
Wearing Spf 30+ for whatever reason is still hard for people to commit to daily, rain or shine, inside or outside, and regardless of ethnicity along with reapplication every 2 hours. THIS IS A MUST. If you are treating issues like hyperpigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles and not wearing sunscreen, you are inherently encouraging damage and negating the benefits of a peel. Another form of damage that we often forget about is blue light. Since our lives revolve around cell phones and computer screens we are exposed at greater amounts. It has been proven that blue light impacts hyperpigmentation and tinted sunscreen has been very effective in treating the concern due to the iron oxides. My favorite tinted moisturizer is Glo Skin Beauty Moisturing Tint SPF 30+. With new skin being exposed after treatment, it is important to take proper care and use the most important skincare item ever…SPF!!!
So because compliance is a challenge, professionals are more likely to perform peels in the fall/winter months since you are likely to be indoors.
TEMPERATURE
Sweat can be a no-no after chemical peels for approximately 24-48 hours. When it is hot and humid your body will naturally cool itself with sweat. The higher internal temperature combined with water from the sweat can reactivate self-neutralizing peels. This means that you are at risk for adverse reactions like the peel going deeper in the skin creating burns and even water blisters. So cooler temperatures aid better body regulation.
But weather is not the only thing to be concerned about. If you are perimenopausal or in menopause, be mindful of how your body reacts. The hot flashes and increased body temperature can create the same reactions as above. So, if this is you and you decide to get a peel keep a portable neck fan handy.
With a commitment to staying out of the sun, wearing sunscreen, and staying cool, you could get a peel year round. However, if you are looking to maximize your treatments and increase the use of corrective serums like retinol take advantage of this season. Work with a reputable professional in your area to accomplish your skincare goals and for the love of God, please don’t it yourself.
Cheers to Your Best Skin! 🥂
Ashleigh Demi💋
