The art of peelings

Nowadays there are many different skin improvement techniques. Peelings are one of these techniques. In the last few years, peelings have become very popular, but did you know that peelings were used centuries ago? Cleopatra, for example, used the milk bath which contained the natural exfoliating substance lactic acid.

A peel is a targeted treatment method that takes care of removing dead and old skin cells. It stimulates the skin to cell division including stimulation and development of new collagen and elastin. This results in skin rejuvenation and firming. There are many different types of peels, but the general goal is to improve the appearance of the skin by reducing wrinkles, (acne) scars, inflammation, redness and pigmentation. In this blog, we will have a closer look why a peel is an important step for a healthy skin, what it does and what types there are.

What does a peel do?

As we age, our cell division slows down and dead old skin cells stay on the skin surface longer. This layer becomes thicker and thicker, giving it a gray and dull appearance. Because of this thick layer of old skin cells, a day or night cream cannot be properly absorbed by the skin either. The active ingredients of a peel are capable enough to remove the old skin cells that are not needed. You have different types of peelings that are able to penetrate superficially to deeply into the skin. Based on specific wishes of the client, the treatment goal, skin condition, skin type and the recovery period, a particular peeling will be chosen by one of our skin therapists.

What peelings are there?

Peelings are divided into different depths. You have superficial peelings, medium-deep peelings and deep peelings. The depth of the specific peeling is determined by a number of factors, including product type, concentration, skin type, treatment goal and number of layers. Peelings provide excellent results by helping improve the skin tone and skin texture.

Peelings can be divided into two groups: the AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and the BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids). AHAs are soluble in water and BHAs are soluble in fat. Therefore, BHAs are suitable for oily skin prone to acne. This is because it can penetrate deep into the pores where AHAs mainly exfoliate the skin surface and stimulate cell renewal. AHAs and BHAs include several acids that are commonly used for skin therapy treatments. We will further explain the most commonly used ones.

Glycolic Acid

An AHA extracted from sugarcane. It is the smallest molecule and also very hydrophilic, it likes water. Because it has a small molecular structure, it can penetrate deeper into the skin. It also has a hydrating effect, enabling the skin to retain more moisture. At the same time, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Perfect for treating superficial pigment, fine lines and mild to moderate skin aging.

Lactic Acid

Also an AHA, but has a larger molecular structure than glycolic acid. It stimulates cell division and the production of hyaluronic acid in deep skin layers. It also protects the skin’s acid mantle and kills organisms such as yeasts, fungi and, in rosacea, the Demodex mite. Lactic acid also inhibits pigment production, which reduces pigment spots.

Mandelic acid

Mandelic acid is both water and fat soluble. Research shows that this acid is effective in treating superficial redness, reduction of pigmentation and reduction in sebum production. It also provides cell renewal and regeneration of collagen and elastin.

Salicylic Acid

A BHA extracted from the burst of the willow tree. As already mentioned, salicylic acid acts fat-soluble. It dissolves sebum, preventing the appearance of pimples. It causes inflammation to be extinguished, due to its anti-inflammatory property.

TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid)

A TCA peel can be used for deeper skin damage. It improves overall skin texture and reduces fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and actinic keratosis. A TCA peel works differently than previous peels. Namely, it causes proteins to coagulate, unlike AHAs and BHAs. AHAs and BHAs soften skin cells. Because a TCA peel causes proteins to coagulate, connective tissue cells are activated to produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.

Peelings in multiple layers and treating different skin areas separately

Depending on your skin and skin requirements, our skin therapists also regularly combine different types of peelings per skin zone and stack layers which can provide even more beautiful and faster results.

After all, you can achieve incredibly beautiful results with a peeling. It is important that your skin is already well prepared with products you use at home. This ensures that the peeling can do its work better.

How do you look after facial peeling?

Depending on the depth of the peeling, the skin may show some redness after the treatment. With very superficial peels, this will last for about two hours. If the used peeling is deeper, your skin may stay red a bit longer, as well as flaking a bit. Our skin therapists will tell you all about this before the treatment. Usually people also think that peelings are only suitable for skins with problems. This is not true. Peelings are very suitable to maintain the skin condition, as a maintenance treatment and to prevent skin aging. Several treatments are always needed to achieve a desired result.

A peeling enhances the effect of a filler and botox treatment.

If you are doing botox and filler treatments, it is very suitable to have a peeling applied prior. It ensures that the cosmetic doctor can enter the skin better in order to place the product even better in the skin and the result is visible longer.

Do you also want a healthy and even skin?

Make an appointment for a personal consultation with one of our certified skin therapists. In our clinic, an intake is always scheduled first to create a customized treatment plan. The skin therapists can also advise you on the use of skincare to prepare your skin for the first treatment.