Do you struggle with regular acne outbreaks that seem resistant to topical drugs? Do you feel like wrinkles and dark spots are making you look older than you really are? If so, you may be considered a good candidate for a chemical peel San Antonio at DrYoungForever in San Antonio, TX. To help you figure out whether this skincare treatment is right for you, today, we’re taking a look at what to expect from your first one.
What Should You Expect From Your First Chemical Peel?
What you can expect from your first chemical peel San Antonio depends on the type of peel you get. We offer a number of types of peels, and two of them are the Vi Peel and the Vi Peel Purify. The Vi Peel is a highly advanced acid peel, developed in 2005 by a doctor who wanted to help his daughter treat her acne painlessly, safely, and effectively.
Depending on the severity and scope of your cosmetic concerns, you can expect your peel to take anywhere from half of an hour to a full hour. We can give you a better idea of how long your treatment session will take once we have discussed and evaluated all of your concerns. Before your treatment session begins, we will verify that your skin is not irritated and cleanse it thoroughly. Then, we will protect your eyes and hair and apply the solution.
What Results Can I Expect From My First Acid Peel?
You can expect your first acid peel to help you boost your collagen production in the area. This will provide you with a number of benefits, including sun and age spot treatment, wrinkle and fine line correction, and more balanced sebum production.
Sebum is an oily, waxy substance that actually helps to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. However, when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, whiteheads and blackheads develop. During your initial consultation, we can advise you on whether you can expect acne breakout prevention based on the type of acne you have.
How Soon Will I Be Able To See the Results of My Treatment?
Although everyone responds to treatment at a different rate, you can feel pretty confident that your skin will start to peel just a few days after your treatment session. From there, it should only take a couple of weeks for your epidermis to finish peeling, revealing the fresh, healthy layer of skin that was previously lying beneath the surface.
How Long Will the Results of My Treatment Last?
Several factors affect how long the results of your chemical peel should last. For instance, the severity of the cosmetic concerns you want to have treated plays a significant role in the longevity of your results. If you have mild cosmetic concerns, you’ll probably get a light (superficial) peel. You can generally expect your results to last for a month or two. If you opt for a medium peel, you can generally expect your results to last for two months to half of a year.
The type of cosmetic concern you are trying to treat also affects the longevity of your results. Line and wrinkle reduction results generally last longer than acne prevention. We can give you a better idea of how long you can expect your results to last during your initial consultation.
What Recovery Can I Expect Following an Acid Peel?
You don’t have to worry about a long recovery following an acid peel. You’ll have to abide by a few restrictions, like avoiding sunburn and picking your skin as it peels. However, you’ll be able to return to work once your comfortable, effective treatment session is over. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important post-treatment care guidelines.
Do Not Pick Your Skin
One of the most important rules to abide by after your chemical peel in San Antonio is to not pick your skin. This is important for a number of reasons. There is a very prevalent misconception that picking your skin as it starts to peel will speed up your final results. However, this is not the case. Picking at your skin can seriously irritate your skin, delaying your final results.
Do Not Touch Your Face
It is not enough that you don’t peel your skin intentionally. You should also take great care to not touch your face. The primary reason you should avoid touching your face at all is that there is oil on your fingertips. Regardless of how much you wash your hands, there will always be oil glands in the skin on your fingers, and there will always be oil that potentially will irritate your skin.
Do Not Take Hot or Cold Showers
It is also highly advisable that you do not take hot or cold showers after your acid peel. There is a chance that your skin will be pretty sensitive to relatively extreme temperatures. Therefore, you should ensure your comfort by taking tepid showers and using a gentle facial cleanser. You may use the same soap to wash your face and body now. However, body wash often contains fragrances and other chemicals that can irritate your temporarily sensitive skin.
Do Not Forget To Moisturize
Keeping the top layers of your skin moisturized is also crucial until your skin has finished peeling. While it may seem counterintuitive, moisturizing your peeling skin is actually good for it. We will advise you on more specific post-treatment care guidelines during your initial consultation. However, you should know that you will need to moisturize your skin once or twice daily depending on your skin type.
However, you should keep in mind that it is also important to not over-moisturize. We can advise you on good moisturizers to use during your initial consultation. Some moisturizers, like some body washes, contain fragrances and other irritating chemicals. Therefore, you should make sure that you pick a gentle facial moisturizer, like:
- Vaseline
- Cerave
- Cetaphil
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
The only way to know beyond a shadow of a doubt whether you are a good candidate for a chemical peel is to attend an initial evaluation. Notably, even if you are a poor candidate for one carefully formulated Vi Peel, you may be an excellent candidate for another one.
We will discuss all of your skin concerns and goals to find the perfectly formulated peel for your unique needs. We also need to evaluate the current health of your skin, your skincare habits, and your Fitzpatrick classification to pinpoint which specific peel will be the safest and most effective for you.
Who Isn’t a Good Candidate for an Acid Peel?
You will be considered a poor candidate for an acid peel if your skin is irritated at the time of the treatment. Therefore, it is crucial that you avoid cosmetic treatments that will irritate your skin leading up to your appointment. You should also not take any medications that cause photosensitivity, and you should make sure you protect your facial skin from sun and wind damage. Also, do not use a depilatory cream to remove unwanted hair from the treatment area.
What Other Steps Must I Take To Prepare for My Treatment Session?
It is absolutely crucial that you do not use any topical products that contain retinoids for five days before your scheduled appointment. Some of the most common products that contain retinoids include Tazorac, Differin, Retin-A, and Renova. It is also crucial that you do not apply glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid to your skin in the five days leading up to your scheduled session.
Furthermore, you need to make sure that you are sufficiently hydrated at the time of your appointment. It’s not just important that the outer layer of your skin is hydrated during your recovery. Your skin needs to be hydrated both inside and out. Try to drink around three quarters of a gallon of water daily. Drink more if you are very active.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that individual chemical peel San Antonio experiences vary, but you can generally expect a painless process that results in the treatment of acne, age and sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. If you think this treatment is right for you, there’s a good chance it is! Contact us today at DrYoungForever in San Antonio, TX to schedule your initial consultation to find out more. We’d love to help you on your journey to healthier skin.
