Microdermabrasion

Not so long ago, if you had an acne problem for which nothing worked, the only other solution was to have a skin peel by a dermatologist. Now you can do your own medical grade peelings in the comfort of your home. Of these, TCA is the most recommended facial peel on the market.

TCA stands for Tricholoracetic Acid, which is a non-toxic chemical that has been safely used in such treatments for the past three decades. This is a deep peel that will remove acne scars from the skin, leaving it fresh and smooth, similar to an acne care system (http://www.vfhcinc.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=27).

Acne is not the only skin condition that you can treat with medical grade peelings of this nature. You can also benefit from this home skin treatment if you have wrinkles on your face, age spots, blackheads, skin damage caused by exposure to the sun or if your complexion is dull and you want to freshen it up. Through the peel, you will be able to unclog the deep pores of your skin so that you will have a clear complexion and lighten your skin to make you look years younger.

Before you undertake any medical grade peelings on your own, you should consult with your physician. This is especially true if you are taking any medications. Acutane, for example, is one medication that you should not take just before and just after you do a skin peel. It is also important not to use any exfoliating products for a few weeks before you plan the peel and you should stay out of the sun. This is also true of using a tanning salon.

There are two strengths in medical grade peelings (http://www.vfhcinc.com/procedures.html) that you can use at home, depending on your skin condition. You should choose the stronger peel if you have deep acne scars and wrinkles. the lighter formula has been diluted to be gentler on your skin and still give you the treatment you desire. The products come with detailed instructions that you must follow exactly as indicated.

Use a cotton swab to apply the lotion of medical grade peelings. Leave this on your face for two to four minutes and then rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove the lotion. Just splashing your face with the water and rubbing it with your hands is sufficient. You should never use a facecloth in the rinse process of the skin peel.

You will feel a tingling sensation when you apply the peel, but this will disappear once you rinse it off. If, after you do complete the rinse, you still feel a bit of discomfort, you can apply ice or cold clothes to your face. Your face will also look red, as if you have had a sunburn, but the redness will fade away in a few days.

Use only a mild cleanser when washing your face in the days just after medical grade peelings without the use of a facecloth. Use an oil free moisturizer and do not use any exfoliating products for at least a week. Be extra careful when you go outdoors to try to keep your face from sun exposure as much as possible.

A wide brimmed hat will help keep the sun off your face. You shouldn’t apply makeup for at least a week and try to use makeup containing natural ingredients rather than harsh chemicals. Drinking plenty of water will also be beneficial for your skin and help to replenish the moisture.

Once you do a medical grade peeling, you should wait four weeks before you do another one.

By: Sarah Martin

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There are so many products on the market that claim to improve the appearance of the skin, but perhaps one of the best out there is chemical peeling. Chemical peeling is normally performed on your neck, face or hands. This type of treatment consists of the use of a chemical solution that is applied directly to the skin that causes the skin to blister and then fall off eventually.

The new skin that is revealed is usually smoother with less wrinkling then the skin that was initially treated. The new skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, therefore you must stay out of the sun for a period of time to allow for proper healing. The new skin is just that, new, so it will be very sensitive - take good care of it.

Various peeling agents have been used by dermatologic surgeons for over the last fifty years, making them experts in performing various types of chemical peels. As with any procedure, you must have a thorough consult to determine which procedure is right for you.

What Can a Chemical Peel Do?

Chemical peeling is most commonly used for treating fine lines around the mouth and around the eyes. Chemical peeling can reduce or even completely eliminate wrinkles that have been caused by aging, sun damage and hereditary factors. There are some areas that are more difficult then others to treat, such as bulges, sags and wrinkles that are more severe. These types of flaws may require other types of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as brow lifts, face lift, eye lift or even a soft tissue filler.

Most people are not aware that mild scarring and certain types of acne can be treated with chemical peels as well. Also, pigmentations of the skin, such as sun spots, liver spots, age spots, blotching from birth control pills, freckles and skin that is dull or flat colored or textured, can be improved from chemical peeling.

There are other types of treatments that chemical peeling can be combined with to achieve the best results. Chemical peeling can be combined with such procedures as dermabrasion, resurfacing with lasers or soft tissue filler to help obtain cost-effective rejuvenation of the skin that is customized to the needs of the individual patient. Some other areas that may improve after a chemical peel are precancerous keratoses, sun damaged spots or scaling patches.

After a chemical peeling, new patches or lesions are less likely to show up. Usually, people that are fair skinned and/or have light colored hair are good candidates for such treatments as chemical peels. Even darker skin types can also experience positive results, depending on the types of skin problems they have encountered.

How Are Chemical Peels Performed?

Instructions prior to surgery may include stopping certain medications to reduce interference with the procedure or recovery time. The doctor may treat the skin to pre-condition the skin with topical pre-conditioning medications. Cleaning of the area with an antiseptic soap is usually required prior to surgery, generally the day prior to surgery.

Chemical peels can be performed right in a doctor’s office or as an out-patient procedure in a surgery center, making these procedures more convenient for people. The skin must be thoroughly cleansed at the time of treatment. This is done to remove any excess oils and to make sure the eyes and hair are well protected. If you would like to try one or more solutions, such as a chemical peel, you might want to try such items as: salicylic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, a glycolic acid, lactic acid or a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and sometimes a carbolic acid (phenol). These are used by Dermatologic surgeons that are well qualified to choose the proper peeling agent, this is based on the type of skin damage present. When getting a chemical peel, the physician will apply the solution to directly to small areas on the skin. These applications produce a controlled wound that will enable new, refreshed skin to appear. The majority of patients may experience a sensation that is warm to somewhat hot that may last from about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Deeper peels may require the use of pain medication during or after the procedure to make the person comfortable.

What Should Be Expected After Treatment?

Depending on the type of peel treatment you get, you may have a reaction similar to a sunburn that will occur following the chemical peel. There will be superficial peeling that usually involves redness, which is followed by scaling that will end within three to seven days. If you have medium-depth and/or deep peeling occur, this may result in swelling and the first sign of water blisters that may break, turn brown, crust and peel off over a seven to fourteen day period. You may require bandages, depending on what kind of chemical peel you had done. These would have to cover all or part of the skin that has been treated.

These bandages can usually be removed in several days and usually improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Avoiding overexposure to the sun is crucial after a chemical peel as the new skin is more susceptible to getting sun burned. Th skin will be very fragile and will need to be well taken care of to ensure that you do not damage the new skin. Without proper care, you may run the risk of an infection or a serious sunburn that can be detrimental to the new skin. Your dermatologic surgeon may prescribe the medications to allow for proper follow-up care to reduce the chance to develop abnormal skin color after peeling.

As with any procedure, check with your doctor to make sure you get the best treatment possible. Follow your doctor’s instructions to a T to ensure that you heal correctly. You do not want to ruin the outcome of the chemical peel by not following the right advice.

By: Barry Lycka

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Chemical Peeling for Aging Skin Care

As the name implies Chemical peeling peels the skin with chemicals. It is also called dermapeeling or chemexfoliation. By peeling off an outer layer of the skin, it allows new skin to form, which is new and fresh, and without some wrinkles. Chemical peeling is used to remove photo aged skin damages.

How chemical peeling is done for skin care

With chemical peeling, chemical solutions are applied directly to the skin. The choice and strength of chemical depends upon the results desired. For mild peeling, mild chemicals are used and so on. Sometimes, a light peel is repeated over time to get desired effect. With mild peel, superficial wrinkles and sun damage is removed. For more damaged skin such as skin having age spots, freckles and acetinic keratoses, a medium peel is used.

Skin care and strength of chemicals

Depending upon the skin damage, and the results desired, the dermatologist decides the kind of peeling to be performed.

Skin care and peeling chemicals

Common peeling chemicals include alpha hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid, carbolic acid and other chemicals.

Skin care and side effects of chemical peeling

The chemicals peel the old skin and that’s sort of like a sunburn. What the doctor is doing is to remove the old skin to a certain depth. That naturally causes redness and scaling of the skin. As new skin forms, the redness and scaling disappear. With medium or deep chemical peeling, the skin may develop blisters and swelling along with redness and peeling that may last for up to two weeks.

Skin care and discomfort with chemical peeling

Some discomfort will result as the skin peels. Your doctor may prescribe lotions to reduce the discomfort. Exposure to sun must be avoided for some time and protection must be taken from sun till the new skin forms and all the side effects disappear. With chemical peeling, surface skin damage is removed.

By: Carson Danfield

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One of the toughest aspects to accept about growing old is the fact that your skin develops lines, wrinkles, age spots and skin sagging. An option to help reduce these symptoms is facial peels or skin peels. These particular options though do have some serious downside to them. The better option is to use a quality skin care product that contains natural ingredients.

A good skin cream is my personal preference. However, the choice is up to you. First, let’s go over some of the positive aspects of facial peels. You can see some significant results with this method. It can reduce lines, wrinkles and age spots on your skin. It also works quite quickly.

Now, we will look at some of the negative aspects of skin peels or facial peels. There can be a lengthy downtime as you recover from this treatment. There is the potential to experience pain as well. These treatments are quite expensive.

Another thing that is not particularly positive is that facial peels do not last. You will need it done every year or so. Thus, this type of treatment is not for everyone. Some people have even experienced permanent pigment discoloration and scarring from these treatments.

It just does not seem like a good idea to get a facial peel. To me, the better option is to find an effective anti aging skin cream that has been scientifically proven to boost the production of vital skin proteins. These proteins are what will help reduce the lines, wrinkles and age spots on your body.

Unlike facial peels, an anti aging skin care product will not produce immediate results. You must use the product on a regular basis before you notice any actual results.

Facial peels are not for everyone. If you were like me, I would rather use an effective skin care product. If you choose to use an anti aging skin care cream, make sure you use one that has been scientifically tested and that it contains natural ingredients.

If you would like more information on skin care products that contain natural substance then please visit my website. Just in case, facial peels or skin peels are not for you.

By: Tara Mathews

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Lately I’ve noticed a stubborn little crease on my forehead. I lift the skin just a bit, mimicking a facelift - and the crease disappears. During a facelift, the surgeon makes an incision, usually around the hairline, and then pulls the facial skin upward to smooth loose skin and wrinkles, and provide a more youthful appearance.

While a facelift can provide dramatic results, I’m not quite ready for all that. I’d just like something to freshen my face a bit. And yet I’m smart enough to know that some products and procedures billed as facelift alternatives are likely to have more of an effect on my wallet than on my face. But how to separate the facts from the fictions? I turned to an expert for help - and here’s what I learned.

Topical Treatments

Dr. Joel Schlessinger, MD, FAAD, FAACS, president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, assured me that creams can be very effective when targeting specific problems. No single cream can do it all, however, and sadly he could not tell me of a cream that is truly “better than Botox.” He recommends the Obagi line for pigmentation and age spots, and he has found creams that accomplish such things as increasing eyelash growth and enhancing pouty lips.

Peels are another option, and their level of invasiveness depends on what you’d like. Prices range from low strength AHA peels at $30 - $100 per treatment to very strong phenol peels at $4000 or more. Chemical peels burn off the outer, damaged layers of skin, revealing the younger skin underneath. Babies have such soft skin because their cells are constantly regenerating, but this slows as we age. Chemical peels speed the process up.

There are some nasty stories about what happens if a chemical peel goes too deep, so be careful in your choice of practitioner. Some of the newer options, like blue peels, claim to be safer. At $200 - $1000, these peels may be adjusted to the desired strength. Milder peels can be repeated at regular intervals to achieve a desired result and minimize side effects and healing time. According to the blue peel website, a measured application of blue glycerine is mixed into the traditional peel chemical, trichloracetic acid (TCA), to “improve patient safety by visually indicating the TCA solution strength and facial skin coverage.” Anything that helps keep the peel from going too far sounds good to me.

High Tech Salon Treatments

Laser treatments are increasingly popular these days, whether you’re trying to remove unwanted hair or get rid of wrinkles. Laser “facelifts” use a carbon dioxide laser to remove outer layers of old skin and tighten muscles.

Dr. Schlessinger tells me that the first laser treatments had “a long recovery time and fabulous results. Today’s technology produces only about 20-30% of the those early results, but with almost no side effects.” The new buzz word, Schlessinger tells me, is “fraxellation.” In today’s treatments, you can “strafe” an area so that the laser only disrupts pinpoints of skin, leaving enough surface untreated to speed healing time. This one sounded good to me.

What’s more, laser treatments are only one kind of skin resurfacing. Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, which can be thought of as extreme exfoliation, are old standbys that are still quite popular.

In dermabrasion, the surgeon removes the outer layers of skin with an electronically operated wire brush or diamond-impregnated burr. It can leave you pretty raw and is moderately painful, with a 2 to 12 week recovery. Microdermabrasion is a bit easier on the patient. It involves spraying fine crystals onto the skin, then removing them along with the top layer of skin cells. It is not as painful as dermabrasion, and is safe to repeat every couple months.

Microcurrent “facelifts” go deeper, using mild electrical stimulation to activate chemicals in the skin. Dr. Schlessinger warns that some microcurrent treatments are nothing more than quackery. In general, he says, be careful of spa-type clinics that recommend the same treatment for everyone-chances are they might own only one piece of equipment!

Every woman trying to decide which procedure to have should have a consultation with a certified surgeon, Dr. Schlessinger tells me: “This is one area in which you get what you pay for.”

Needles Required

Dr. Schlessinger cautioned me to be especially careful in selecting a good practioner if I decide to go with Botox. These days, Botox is being offered everywhere, from salons to parties. And yet, Botox is a powerful chemical that should be administered only by those with the training to do so. It is derived from a toxin that causes food poisoning. Injected in small amounts into the skin, however, it weakens or paralyzes certain muscles or blocks certain nerves, causing fewer frown lines and wrinkles.

“Many wrinkles are due to repetitive motion on the face-frown acquired as a habit,” Schlessinger explains. These wrinkles disappear after a Botox treatment, and the very good news is that often after several treatments the habit is broken and no further injections are necessary.

But what about all the horror stories? The paralysis? Most of those are just urban legends. Botox is not permanent. In fact, injections last only three to four months, which means any side effects are also temporary.

According to Schlessinger, “the biggest complication we see is Botox done wrong.” For two reasons, he advises going to a professional who specializes in Botox. One: the proliferation of Medspas and day spas has resulted in many unqualified practitioners. Two: you’re more likely to get fresh Botox at a place that uses a lot of it. According to Dr. Schlessinger, we should buy our Botox fresh - just like we would want to get our fish fresh from a fish market.

Facial fillers are another injectable option. These injections actually help replace the volume that you begin to lose in your 30s. And sometimes they actually spur more collagen growth. A recent University of Michigan study even found that the supposedly non-permanent filler restylane sometimes provides long-term effects.

One popular name-brand filler is Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid dermal filler. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in all living organisms as a type of sugar. While the treatment does not last forever, it does last longer than Botox, typically at least six months or more.

I was also intrigued by the threadlift. In this procedure, barbed prolene facial sutures (threads) are attached to anchor points in the face (such as a sagging jowl) using a hollow bore needle. The threads are used to lift the sagging areas and can be tightened when necessary. I thought this sounded pretty cool, but unfortunately, it turns out that it’s a risky procedure that Dr. Schlessinger says is “so popular, but so incredibly wrong.” The threads used in the procedure are quite fragile and can break. When this happens, the effect becomes uneven and the threads can migrate to new areas, or even poke out through the skin! I have moved this option to the “no” column for me.

Go-Go Gadget Facelift

For those willing to try any weird science on their faces, there is such a thing as facelift tape, which uses exterior anchors and threads to physically pull the skin on your face tighter. Think Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire. Unfortunately, you won’t have a makeup team to help attach the device to your face every morning, and it seems like you’d need an awful lot of hair to hide the threads adequately. Not for me!

Sweatin’ to the Oldies?

An au natural option is facial exercises. Rather than working from the outside-in, these programs claim to work from the inside-out, building tone and strength in your facial muscles. Some programs, such as Facial Flex, even include a resistance device that fits in your mouth to help improve the results of your “workout.”

Sorry to say, Dr. Schlessinger says that these program claims are “a complete fabrication. If it were true, a person who chews a pack of gum a day would look great, but in fact the opposite is true.” The more you stretch the skin out on your face, the more wrinkles you get. Remember, Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscle groups, not by giving them a workout. I was a bit disappointed by this news, but at least I can take comfort in knowing there’s something good about being a couch potato.

Minor Surgeries

While it may not seem like an alternative to some, there is the partial facelift option, in which a surgeon does not complete an entire facelift (which is extremely painful, expensive, and requires a large recovery time), but simply targets the areas you would most like to see improved. Neck lifts, upper brow lifts, and cheek lifts are common options, but the possibilities are truly endless. It’s especially popular for women to have the fat removed under the chin, and in some cases, this is a liposuction procedure that doesn’t even involve cutting removing skin. And it is, in my opinion, one way to look a lot younger through a relatively minor procedure.

Welcome to the New Millennium

It used to be unheard of to visit a plastic surgeon before you really needed it-at which point your skin and facial muscles are almost beyond repair. “Today,” Dr. Schlessinger assured me, “we have better alternatives to keep people looking good for much longer.” The trick is to do your research and take care of your face by starting early. And while an effective Botox cream is still five years off, new treatments are developed every day. With so many good options, short of a full facelift, I am very happy to know that I will never be trapped in a prematurely aging face.

By: kathleen bowers

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In the recent years fashion and looks have become a billion dollar industry and as expensive life altering procedures become less expensive and more affordable it looks like this trend will continue for many years to come. Everyone is questing for the fountain of youth and apparently it can be found in the field of plastic surgery. They can make your skin look younger, tighter and more youthful for a price. One of the most popular treatments is the skin peel. They consist of everything from light peels like fruit and sugar derived (glycolic) peels and deeper peels like TCA and phenol. These peels can reveal younger skin and rejuvenate your face. Some of them are quite literally even considered to be the fountain of youth in a bottle (like the TCA peel).

There are basically four different kinds of peels and they range from light and superficial peels like glycolic to deeper peels like the TCA peel and phenol peels. We will not discuss phenol peels as they are dangerous and are rarely ever used. The deepest peel doctors use today is the TCA peel, which is the most effective and safest of all the skin peels. The basic function of a chemical skin peel is to loosen bonds between cells in the top most layers of skin through a mild and controlled chemical burn to cause peeling and to reveal more youthful skin from underneath. This process when done regularly can result in a reduction of wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and other symptoms of aging skin. In the case of the TCA peel it is also been proven to be highly effective in the treatment of acne and resultant acne scarring.

The light or superficial peels are generally glycolic and salicylic acid. There are many off shoots of these like fruit acids, the pumpkin peel, etc. Any of these acids that you see available at your local store have a concentration or strength that is so low that it is basically ineffective. For these light peels to have any visual effect at all the concentrations must be in the range of at least 30 percent. Regardless, even when done in a doctors office they must be redone every 2-3 weeks for any lasting effect. And at $100 to $300 per peel it can become expensive quickly.

The salicylic peel is a little different from the rest of these lighter peels as it is oil soluble and the others are water soluble. This gives salicylic the distinct advantage of being able to migrate deeper into oil blocked pores and to help with pimples and very light acne. This is why it has recently been added to some current acne products like Murad. This is why Murad is more effective than Proactiv. The problem is that just like glycolic it must be used at a higher concentration to have lasting and visual effect. Low concentrations and strengths, like in most over the counter acne products, is ineffective in fighting acne. Concentrations of at least 10 percent are recommended by dermatologists.

Then there is the TCA peel. TCA stands for trichloroacetic acid. It is a synthetic acid that has the ability to do everything that all the lighter peels can and more. It can completely kill acne causing bacteria and rid the facial skin of it for good. It can reduce and minimize scarring, tighten the facial skin and rejuvenate the skin. It can treat more skin problems than any other skin peel. From skin blemishes, pigmentation problems, acne, aging skin, and even precancerous and cancerous skin legions. The TCA peel is offered in almost every dermatologist and plastic surgeons office as it is the most effective treatment outside of actual surgery. Its results also last the longest, up to 6 months or more depending on the strength and depth desired or achieved. It has even ben stated in numerous medical journals that the TCA peel is every bit as effective as Accutane, the strongest acne medicine available, without the bad and very serious side effects. The TCA peel normally runs between $300 and $500 per application at your doctors office, but can now be purchased for under $30 for in home use.

Skin peels can be very effective in treating both aging skin and acne and it is obvious that the TCA peel is the best of these.

By: David Maillie

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Sadly, the world that we live in today is no longer as clean and undefiled as it used to be. Recent technological advancements have done considerable damage to our environment. The air that we breathe in and the water that we drink and bathe in isn’t as pure as it used to be. Out of all our body organs, it is the skin that takes the worst beating from all these unfortunate changes. But thanks to recent medical breakthroughs, we now have treatments available to combat the harsh odds that the elements have dealt us.

The harsh wind and sunlight, coupled with neglect, can cause premature skin aging and leave unsightly lines and blemishes. While topical drugs can address some problems, it is still not enough to keep the face from looking dry and rough. A more aggressive yet gentle form of treatment is needed to prevent the face from further damage.

Chemical peeling is now being regarded as the best option to give the skin a second lease at life. Chemical peels work by removing the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. Peeling off the epidermis dramatically improves skin texture, smoothing out wrinkles, erasing spots caused by photo-aging and balancing the skin’s color.

The chemical applied to the skin varies, depending on the extent of skin damage. Light to medium chemical peels are advisable for people who have age spots and pigment abnormalities or those suffering from the early stages of photo-aging. Cosmetic surgeons normally use either alpha-hydroxy (glycolic, lactic or fruit acids) or trichloroacetic (TCA) acids for the said procedure. Phenol peels, on the other hand, are recommended for severely damaged skin.

TCA vs. AHA

While both TCA and AHA can be used to treat light to moderately damaged skin, the former proves to be more effective in providing definite results. Dr. Mitchell E. Blum, a recognized cosmetic surgeon who has been practicing for more than 25 years, provides a deeper, more thorough peel, as opposed to AHA, which may require several applications before results can be achieved. He also states that a TCA skin peel mimics the results of a Phenol peel, in that it penetrates the deeper layers of the skin, but provides a shorter recovery period. TCA peel is also quite affordable, and medical grade kits for home use can be found online.

However, Dr. Blum advises the use of tretinoin (preferably Retin-A), glycolic acid and other bleaching agents at least four to six weeks prior to undergoing the procedure to prepare the skin for the chemical peel. This is because tretinoin stimulates the skin to heal faster while glycolic acid enhances the effect of the tretinoin.

The Procedure

The procedure is fairly quick, consuming a maximum of one hour. TCA is applied onto the face, focusing specifically on troubled portions of the skin. Because of the burning sensation that the TCA will generate, surgeons normally advise their patients to drink painkillers or sedatives to relieve the discomfort. Ice can also be applied to the skin to relieve the pain.

After The Procedure

Patients are advised to wash their face daily with gentle soap and water, followed by the application of an oil-based or steroid ointment. The skin will appear red for the first few days but will eventually flake within four to seven days. To achieve maximum effect, patients are advised to use sunblock to avoid recurring skin problems.

By: David Maillie

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In the past, the best skin peel was only available from a dermatologist or salon. This is no longer true. You can now have the benefits of a medical grade facial peel in the comfort of your own home. The most effective peels on the market contain Tricholoracetic Acid (TCA). TCA is a non toxic chemical that has been used for over 30 years and is considered completely safe. It is one of the deeper peels, used to rejuvenate the skin and improve the condition of the skin.

TCA peels successfully treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, wrinkles, blotchy skin, blackheads, discoloration from sun exposure, age spots, acne scarring, excessive oil and dull complexion. The pores of your skin are unblocked, revealing clearer skin. Your complexion will be smoother with improved texture. Fine lines and wrinkles are softened after treatment. The skin is tightened for a younger appearance.

Esthetician’s Choice is the best skin peel and is now available for home use.

Before Treatment:

Talk to your doctor if you are taking prescription medications. Accutane is one medication that should not be used after a peel. Talk to your doctor and stop taking the medication before having a peel. You should avoid using other exfoliation products in the week before you use a home TCA peel. Also, avoid tanning either outside or in a tanning bed.

Directions for a Home Peel:

Esthetician’s Choice can be used in two strengths. Use the product full strength for a deeper peel to improve bad acne, wrinkling or skin discoloration. The product can be diluted for a gentler, surface peeling. Follow the included directions for diluting the product. The peel can be used once a month for very damaged skin. It’s important to wait at least four weeks between treatments to allow the skin time to heal completely.

Apply the product with a cotton swab. The peel should be left on the skin for about two to four minutes. Rinse well with slightly cool water to remove the product. Don’t rub or use a washcloth. Most people will feel a slight tingling sensation when it is applied. You should feel little or no discomfort after it is rinsed away. If you do experience slight irritation, apply icy water or ice to soothe the skin.

Immediately after treatment, you will notice a slight red color to the skin, like mild sunburn. This fades in a day or so and the skin continues to peel for the next few days. Once peeled, clearer, firmer skin is revealed. Taking good care of your skin after the peel will result in better, faster healing.

After the Peel:

o Gently wash the skin with a very mild cleanser in the days after. Use only your hands and not a washcloth or a scrubber, which can cause irritation. o Keep the skin moist with an oil free moisturizing project. o Don’t use any other exfoliation products for at least a week after the peel. o Avoid sun exposure and tanning. This can cause discoloration. If you go outside, wear a good sunblock with an SPF of at least 30. o Don’t use make up for at least a week. After this time, use high quality, natural make up that won’t clog the skin. Look for oil free products to avoid clogging the pores again. Natural products or mineral make up is best. o Avoid harsh prescription ointments and medications such as Accutane. These can cause scarring and discoloration. o Taking good care of yourself speeds the healing process. You will look better and feel better. o Drink plenty of water to flush the skin and replenish the moisture in your body. o Get enough sleep. At least eight hours each night. This is important for healing and is good for the complexion. o Eat healthy foods and take vitamins. Good nutrition is important for your skin and your overall health. o Practice good skin care to keep your complexion clear and soft. Use natural products that are made for your skin type. o Prayer, reading the Bible and meditating on Scripture helps reduce stress, which aids in healing. Prayer has been proven in studies to increase healing in all areas of the body.

By: David Maillie

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Obagi blue peels are one of the most sought after skin care and rejuvenation treatments today. They are only offered in doctors offices on an outpatient basis. The Obagi blue peel was invented by Dr. Obagi and has been clinically proven to treat and cure common skin ailments like pigmentation problems, age spots, mild acne and fine lines and wrinkles. The Obagi blue peel chemically burns the outer layers of the skin and causes them to slough off or peel in a few days revealing younger, rejuvenated skin.

Chemical peels, in general, have been used in skin care and skin treatments for acne and anti aging for over 20 years by doctors and dermatologists everywhere. These chemical peels range from weaker acids like glycolic and salicylic to stronger skin peels like TCA peels, the Obagi Blue Peel, and Phenol peels. Phenol peels are rarely used anymore as they require anesthesia, are very toxic and can result in permanent skin bleaching. Weaker skin peels like glycolic and salicylic are popular for treating pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. They are not very effective on deeper, more underlying skin problems. This is where peels like the Obagi Blue Peel and TCA peels are much more effective.

Obagi blue peels and TCA peels are usually applied as a cream or paste (TCA peels are also applied in liquid for for faster and longer lasting results). The doctor will mix the Obagi blue peel with TCA (trichloroacetic acid) into a paste at various strengths depending on desired depth and then apply it to the face. A typical face mask pattern is used so sensitive areas like around the eyes are avoided. The peel is then applied for usually 10 minutes (or less for TCA peels) or more (up to 1 hour for the Obagi Blue Peel). The Obagi blue peel is weaker than a pure TCA peel and may require multiple applications or layering for the same results. The Obagi blue peel will also stain or dye the face a blue-green color so the doctor knows where it has been applied already. A TCA peel will turn red and whiteout (turn white or frost) on some skins indicating the neutralization point. The doctor will then neutralize the TCA or Obagi blue peel to stop the burning process.

The patient is then sent home and told to apply various creams and antibacterial treatments for the next 3-7 days until it all peels and is fully healed. During this healing and peeling process, the skin will darken and harden and then start to peel away (some people will flake instead of peeling due to drier skin and different skin pH - everyone’s skin is unique). It is usually best to schedule to have this time off as it is best not to go out in public with severe peeling. Makeup cannot be worn as it can cause infection and block healing. Many doctors have found over the counter antibiotic ointments like Neosporin and its generic equivalents to work best and make the skin heal faster after an Obagi blue peel or TCA peel.

The Obagi blue peel (along with the TCA peel) has been proven effective in clinical trials and approved for use in anti aging and acne skin care treatments. For more information on Obagi blue peels and TCA peels for in home use and skin care treatments please see the link below.

By: David Maillie

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There is probably no better place on earth than San Diego for getting a wide variety of skin peels. This is because this city is one of the new age centers of the world and all kinds of different treatments can be offered.

There are all kinds of non-invasive peels to be had in this beautiful coastal city but for the most effective and long lasting results you will probably want to go for the “heavy artillery” which is the application of a bonafide chemical facial peel.

There are many salons that offer skin peels in San Diego. The chemical peel is almost always the same procedure whether or not you are going for the deep, medium or light peels.

Skin peels in San Diego accomplish a multitude of things including the diminishment of fine wrinkles and lines and just the rejuvenation of the skin in general. A chemical peel helps people look fresher, glowing and more youthful. All kinds of facial imperfections can be erased using these treatments. Scars can be eliminated and pores can looks smaller. Age spots can also be made to disappear.

Skin peels in San Diego use an acidic solution to remove the top layers of your skin. This gets rid of dull, flaky skin and minimizes imperfections.

You need to be careful when you select the chemical peel as not all types are right for all types of skin. In fact a dermatologist may not recommend peels at all if you have sensitive skin. The only right thing to do if you are thinking of getting skin peels in San Diego is to consult with your dermatologist or cosmetician to see if you can be helped by these treatments. Schedule a confrontation first so you can have your skin type evaluated and have any questions that you might have about the procedure evaluated. Most salons and dermatology offices offer more than one kind of peel so don’t feel that you do not have options when it comes to treating your skin.

Depending on the type of peel that you get you may or may not need sedation. If you have a light or medium peel no sedation is required. These peels only remove the top skin layers and the recovery time is minimal. Light peels generally have you recovered and presentable to the public within a day or two. You can also get medium peels which remove more layers of skin and have more polished, effective results.

The most dramatic and effective of skin peelings in San Diego are the deep peels (http://www.vfhcinc.com/aesthetic.html). The skin is drastically improved and the peel penetrates and sloughs off many layers of skin which means that age spots, wrinkles, scars and even precancerous growths can easily be removed! However for this operation to be successful you need to follow your phsyican’s directives for recovery exactly.

However as the top layer of skin is removed the main thing that these peels reveal is fresh, vibrant and glowing skin. Most people who have this done look less tired, more youthful, and full of vitality.

By: Sarah Martin

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