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What is a chemical peel? A chemical peel is an acid solution that is applied to the skin. It dissolves the outerboust layer of the skin cells, which then peels off over the following days to reveal the fresher, younger layer below. Peels are very effective in treating a large range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving skin brightness, and evening skin tone. Peels can be light, moderate or deep. Light peels require no down time from work and your normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two, and deep peels can require a week or more of down time to allow the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who ar enot wokring in a medical setting perform light to moderate peels only. Deep peels can only be performed by a physician, or under a physician's supervision, for your safety. Preparing for treatment: Most skin colors and types can benefit from chemical peels, though it is best to check with your esthetician about which peel might be right for you. If you're taking acne medication, Retin-A or Accutane, talk to your esthetician and/or doctor about stopping the medication before and during treatment to avoid complications. Your esthetician can review any other contraindications with you prior to your treatment to determine if a chemical peel is right for you. Be sure to answer all questions honestly and completely on your consultation form prior to your peel. What to expect during a chemical peel: The skin is cleansed and a prep solution will be applied to remove surgace oils and allow the peel to penetrate the skin evenly. Any sensitive areas that cannot be treated will be protected with a thin film of petroleum jelly. Your eyes will be covered to protect them. One or more chemical mixtures will be applied, such as glycolic acid (from cane sugar), trichloroacetic acid (similar to bleach), salicylic acid (wintergreen— good for acne), lactic acid (from milk), or a combination peel called Jessners peel. The peel will be applied in 1-3 layers depending on the depth of penetration intended. The acids react with the skin to produce a "controlled wound," allowing fresh skin to regenerate and emerge. A tingling, burning or hot sensation is normal. Most peels remain on the skin only a few minutes, and are closely watched by the esthetician. A fan may help you stay more comfortable. After some peels, a neutralizing solution is applied to stop the peel. Other peels are self-timed and stop on their own. After the peel: After most peels, the skin will be pink to red, and look shiny and tight. It is vital to apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater to the skin for th next 48 hours, miniumum. You must also stay out of the sun, as your skin will be very sensitive to UV rays and could be damanged by sun exposure. The skin will begin to flake of peel within 2-3 days after the treatment, unless you had a lactic acid peel—these encourage moisture retention and may not product any actual peeling. Sun damaged areas of you skin will appear darker at first, then will lighten. This is normal. Deeper peels can produce peeling for a week or more. To assist in removing the flaking skin, an enzyme peel or light microdermabrasion treatment is sometimes scheudled a week or so after the initial peel. For maxium results, a series of peels is usually recommended, and may be necessary for treating challenging issues such as hyperpigmentation. Home care after a chemical peel: Your esthetician will recommend healing products to use for the week or two following your peel. These will soothe and nourish your skin, and aid in its recovery. Usually it is best to avoid makeup during the time, to allow the skin to heal and function without interference. However, if you must wear makeup, mineral makeup will not adversely affect the skin. Your esthetician: Your skin care treatment should be provided by a properly trained professional. Don't hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about her background, training, and experience— especially as it relates to the treatment you are considering. Your therapist is a professional member of Associated Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been validated as meeting their state's licensing credentials and/or core training requirements, and agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you'll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides its members with comprehesive resources that allow them to keep up with changing trends, making certain you'll receive the most up-to-date therapies available.

A facial is a professional cleansing, purifying, and corrective treatment of the skin on the face and neck. Facials are the number one treatment perfomed by estheticians, and a good way for your therapist to get a good understanding of your skin prior to suggesting more aggressive treatments. For most people, facials can be scheduled every four weeks, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule. There are many variation of facials based on different needs, as well as different lengths of time. A mini facial may be only 20-30 minutes in length, while a more luxurious version may be 75-90 mintures in length. Tell your esthetician exaclty what you want to get out of your faical, and she/he will be able to recommend a facial to meet your needs.

Be sure to allow enough time to fill out a comprehensive intake prior to your treatment. Plan to arrive a little early so you will not feel rushed and can enoy the length of your treatment. Remember that you hair may become damp during the facial, and will usually be held back from your face with a soft wrap or headband, so you may not want to schedule a public appearance after your facial! There is no need to remove your makeup prior to the appointment, as it wil be cleaned off during the facial.

Facials are generally very relaxed and soothing. Your esthetician will explain to you what the treatments steps will be. Be sure to communicate with your esthetician during the facial if any product burns, itches, or if you need anything or have any quetsions. Otherwise, just lie back and enjoy the experience. A basic facial generally includes the following steps: - Makeup removal and cleansing of the skin - Skin analysis - Exfoliation by mechanical, enzymatic or chemcial means - Massage of the face and neck to aid in relaxation and stimulate blood and oxygen flow to the skin - Extraction of blackheads and other impurities, either manually (using gloved hands and cotton or tissue around the fingers with gentle pressure to remove the impacted pore) or using a metal extraction implement designed to clear blocked pores. This can also include the use of a lancet (a small, sharp blade to lift the dead cells of the skin prior to extraction). - Application of products targeted to your skin type (dry, oily, mixed, sensitive, or mature).

After the facial, your skin will probably be soft, smooth and well hydrated. However, if multiple extractions were needed or if you required a fair amount of exfoliation, your face may be somewhat rosy for one to two hours or more, depending on how sensitive your skin is. This is quite normal. You can apply mineral makeup after your facial if there is some redness you want to conceal.

Your esthetician will go over which professional home care products for you to continue the improvement in your skin following your professional treatment. This way, you will be using products that maximize benefits and prolong the effects of your treatment. Your therapist can explain how, when and how much of the products to use. Feel free to call the therapist later, if you have any questions.

Your skin care treatments should be provided by a properly trained professional. Don't hesitate to ask your skin care therapists about her background, traingin and expereice— especially as it relates to the treatment you are considering. Your therapist is a professional member of Associated Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been validated as meeting their state's licensing credentials and/or core training requirements, and agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you'll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides its members with comprehensive resources that allow them to keep up with a changing trends, making certain you'll recieve the most-up-todate therapies available.

Microdermabrasion is a method of exfoliation that uses a machine to remove dead surface skin cells and initiant cellular turnover. It was first adopted in Europe in the 1980s and was introduced to the United States in the late 1990s. Its introduction led the revolution of device-driven, non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Today, microdermabrasion remains one of the most popular services employed in both medical and day spas. The two most common methods are crystal and diamond. The crystal method uses a wand which sprays fine crystals onto the skin, loosening and removing dead skin cells, while simutaneously using vacuum suction to remove the used crystals and dead skin. It has been compared to a mild "sandblasting" of the skin. The diamond method uses a diamond-tipped wand to sand and resurface the skin, combined with suction to remove the dead skin cells. Both methods stiumlate blood ciruclation and revitalize collagen productions, which promotes younger-looking skin. The degree of exfoliation depends on the number of passes, level of crystal spray or coarseness of the diamond wand, the pressure and suction used, and the frequency of treatment. Microdermabrasion can be helpful to treat aging and sun-damaged skin, altered pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, stretchmarks, and some type of acne and acne scarring. It is especially effective in treating the under-eye area and crow's feet. Results may include imporved skin tone, reduced visual appearance of aging, fewer breakouts, diminshed appearance of scars, refined skin pores, renewed elasticity, and a healthy glow. Microdermabrasion may be recommended for those with chemical sensitivites and can be used on most skin colors and types, although there are some contraindications. Ask your skin care professional if microdermabrasion is right for you.