Tired, dull, flakey skin with poor elasticity and an uneven skin tone. These are all signs of dry skin, an issue that plagues many of us, especially as we get older. If you have fallen prey to buying gimmicky products that promise miraculous results that either do nothing or make your skin worse, don’t lose hope! Thanks to innovative treatments developed by dermatologists, aestheticians, and scientists, there are effective ways to not only alleviate dry skin but bring back a more youthful appearance. Let’s explore two skin rejuvenating services, facials, and chemical peels, offered at most med spas, and the difference between them.
Facial Treatments
A facial treatment is a multi-step treatment that typically has the following steps:
- Cleansing: Your entire face is cleaned with a gentle facial cleanser, which will wash away any debris, dead skin, or oil that may be clogging your pores. This step usually includes the use of a facial steamer, which will loosen any blackheads or whiteheads, making it easier to perform any extractions – if needed.
- Exfoliating – The purpose of an exfoliator is to get rid of any stubborn dead skin and pore debris that remains. There are two kinds of exfoliators: a physical exfoliator and a chemical exfoliator. A physical exfoliator typically has a gritty texture and sloughs away the surface layer of dead skin on your face. A chemical exfoliator is made up of enzymes that loosen the bonds between your skin cells. It literally “sucks out” any unwanted material that could still be lodged in your skin.
- Extracting – During this step, a tool is used to remove any blackheads or whiteheads from your face, allowing the next step to fully penetrate your skin, and not the stuff stuck in your pores.
- Facial mask – To add moisture back into the skin, a face mask that is suited to your skin type is applied. Nutrients from the face mask are absorbed into your skin to aid in specific skin issues you have.
- Moisturizers – To conclude your facial, a rich moisturizer and toner will be applied, followed by protective sunscreen so your new complexion lasts as long as possible. Your nurse or esthetician will also give you advice on how to take care of your skin between treatments with recommendations for the best skincare products for your particular skin type.
While a facial is a wonderful way to give your skin a quick refresh and improve hydration, chemical peels renew your skin on a deeper level, from the inside out. Let’s learn more about them.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel contains an enzyme that removes dead skin cells on the surface and stimulates the body to produce new skin cells giving you a smoother, softer look. Peels also do wonders for lighting any scars and correcting hyperpigmentation as well as reducing wrinkles caused by sun damage. By literally renewing your skin from within, a chemical peel improves your overall skin texture and tone, while sending hydrating nutrients to the deeper layers so the effects are longer lasting.
There are two categories of chemical peels: light peels and deep peels. With light peels, only minimal post-treatment care is required, and the process itself only causes a mild tingling sensation. But it may take more than one treatment to achieve the desired results. A deep peel, on the other hand, will require more post-treatment care, since the enzymes change the skin at a deeper level. The being said, the process for both types of chemical peels are very similar:
- Cleansing – A basic cleansing routine (similar to a facial) is used to clean the skin and prepare it for the enzyme.
- Applying enzymes: Several layers of an enzyme are applied to the skin. The enzyme not only exfoliates but also loosens the “glue” between dead skin and healthy skin, causing the dead skin to fall away, stimulating the body’s production of collagen and elastin, allowing fresh new skin to be revealed.
- Using a skin-calming moisturizer – Your face will be moisturized with a calming formula since your skin will be sensitive after the treatment. Your nurse or esthetician will go over how to take care of your skin after a chemical peel.
Whether you choose to have a facial or a chemical peel, the positive results will be visible after just one treatment. During your med spa consultation, you can determine which treatment is best for your particular skin type and skin problem you may be having. Either way, you can say goodbye to a dull, dry, lifeless complexion and hello to a healthier, more youthful you!