Let’s talk dirty.  Getting the low down on the best of the best in beauty treatments can be difficult.  Who do you believe??? The doctors on TV, kiosks at the mall, or your local spa?

When it comes down to the nitty gritty, cleansers that offers glycolic and or salicylic acids are actually the best.  The dirty truth is that these acids provide exfoliation, decongestion of the pores, and cell turnover while fighting the appearance of photo damaged skin.

Deep down we all are a little dirty and need an extra push to get the desired outcome we want from our skin.  Chemicals peels are where we all need to start. Peels range in intensity due to formulation, percentage and depth of penetration.  Peels get a bad rap due to peeling, scaly skin but they are doing so much more than you know. They can be used on the face, neck, chest and hands and offer benefits like reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evening out skin color, brightening the complexion and exfoliating skin to treat acne scars and sun damage.   BUT here’s what really happens to your skin when you get a chemical peel. No matter what type of acid, be it an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) like glycolic or lactic acid, beta hydroxy acid (BHA) or salicylic acid, the acids go to work refreshing and rejuvenating your skin by exfoliating away damaged skin cells. Chemical peels are unique in formulation and actions. Here is a breakdown of specific features.

• Glycolic peels vary in intensity. These peels help with the appearance fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (freckles and sun spots), laxity, textural skin imperfections and radiance.
• Lactic acid peels are generally mild peels great for any skin type and they gently exfoliate, and decongest pores.
• Salicylic acid is effective for refining pores, targeting and clearing up congested pores, smooth uneven texture and blotchiness.
• Tricholoracteic acid peel (TCA) show a dramatic improvement in the skin because lines, age spots and scars will have been reduced in appearance.
• Advanced Corrective Peel is specifically designed to address fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, texture and radiance. This peel is a SkinCeuticals masterpiece.  While delivery is similar to any other peel, the pigmentation brought to the surface, (which is comparable to a photo facial) and the exfoliation is aggressive leaving your skin like a blank canvas.

Application of the peel on your skin, is done in stages. It will stay on for a few minutes and typically more layers will be applied. You may feel slight stinging, burning or discomfort during a peel (the stronger the peel, the more you may feel), which means the acids are working their magic. This sensation will last the duration of the peel. Most peels are self-neutralizing, requiring no further steps after delivery. The sensation of tingling, stinging or heat can happen in a few seconds or a few minutes and can reactivate if re-moistened. The whole process from start to finish can take, on average, one to 10 minutes.

In the coming days following a peel, your skin may have slight redness and will feel dry. Peeling can occur within two to four days and you may peel up to a week. Everyone’s response to peel is individual based on both the peel itself and your skin. Peels can differ in formulation, strength, composition, different skin types react differently to any peel with a varying level of sensitivity. Deeper and stronger peels can exfoliate multiple skin layers, resulting in temporary red, flaking and peeling skin, with a tight or swollen feeling. Some peels, like glycolic and lactic acid types, are known to be more hydrating, so there’s less redness and dryness, while bacteria reducing salicylic peels result in dryness and red irritated appearance.

Once your skin has healed from any redness and peeling, you’re left with skin that is pretty much flawless. Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty with your skin to reveal optimal radiance.