Q: What exactly is a facial peel? It sounds harsh!
MyChelle Dermaceuticals licensed esthetician Catie Wiggy responds:
Facial peels can be harsh””but they don’t have to be! These treatments””which are intended to refresh and rejuvenate skin””range from simple, do-it-yourself, at-home applications to harsher medical-grade, outpatient procedures.
Sometimes called chemical peels, facial peels involve applying a substance (or mixture of substances) to skin in order to remove the outer layer of dull, dead cells from the surface.
But don’t let the word chemical scare you””it doesn’t necessarily refer to a toxic substance. Instead, think of a chemical reaction taking place within your skin.
There are many natural substances, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), used in at-home “peel” products. AHAs are derived from fruits and other foods. When applied to skin, they work to dissolve the connection or “intercellular glue” that holds dead cells together on the skin’s surface.
Once this happens, skin increases its cellular turnover, offering a range of benefits from brightening to improving tone and texture to minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
MyChelle offers three different AHA treatments that are safe to use on your own up to three times per week: the Incredible Pumpkin Peel, Apple Brightening Peel and Fruit Fiesta Peel. These specialized products smooth the look of wrinkles, unclog pores and clear the way for other products to work more effectively.