Chemical Skin & Face Peel - Pigmentation Leeds

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are AlumierMD Chemical Skin Peels?

AlumierMD skin peels use a combination of lactic acid, salicylic acid and resorcinol. When the peel solution is applied to the skin, it works to decrease the pH (acid / alkaline balance) of the skin's surface. Connections between the dead skin cells are weakened as a result of this change in the surface pH of the outermost layer of the skin, allowing for effective cell exfoliation. Following exfoliation, the tone, texture and pigmentation of the skin is improved and collagen stimulation occurs along with skin-cell regeneration. For optimal results, a course of 3 or 6 skin peels is recommended, at intervals of 2 - 4 weeks, depending on your skin's requirements.

What Happens During My First Consultation and Treatment?

During your initial consultation, and before any subsequent skin peel treatments, your AlumierMD trained practitioner will discuss your current health, your past medical history and the current condition of your skin. The consultation is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and for your practitioner to explain the purpose of skin peels. They will make clear what to expect during and after treatment. If you wish to proceed with a skin peel treatment once the consultation is finished, you will need to sign a consent form which tells us that you understand the treatment, the expected outcomes and any potential risks or side effects involved. The type of skin peel chosen will depend on the length or treatment and the process involved. The treatment will typically take 30-45 minutes.

What Should I Do Before Treatment?

• Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for 2 weeks prior to a skin peel treatment.
• Ensure that you have no plans that will involve sun exposure (for example, holidays) for 2 weeks after your treatment.
• Stop the use of any retinol containing products, AHA / BHA products for 7-14 days prior to treatment. (If you have recently taken prescription medications like Rouaccutane/Accutane for acne, you will not be suitable for chemical peeling until 6 months after you stopped taking them)
• All makeup should be thoroughly removed prior to treatment. If circumstances prevent you doing this before your appointment, we will need to remove it for you before we can proceed.

What Should / Shouldn’t I Do After My Treatment?

Your medical practitioner will discuss any aftercare instructions, advice and how to use the AlumierMD post-procedure homecare kit at the end of your treatment, this will also be sent to your email for future reference.

• Do not cleanse your skin on the evening of your skin peel treatment.
• Do not pick or pull any flaking skin.
• Do not use tanning booths or expose your skin to sun for 14 days post peel.
• Do not have electrolysis, waxing, threading or other forms of hair removal for 7 days post peel.
• Do not use facial scrubs or mechanical forms of exfoliation for 14 days post peel.
• Do not use retinoic acid, AHA or BHA for 14 days post peel.
• Do not have laser hair removal, microdermabrasion or further chemical peels for 14 days post peel.
• Do not apply ice or water on the treated area for the rest of the day following treatment.
• Do not use hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas or take excessively hot showers for 48 hours post peel.
• Do not go swimming for 2 days post-peel.
• Do not participate in aerobic exercise for 2 days post peel.

What Can I Expect in the Days After My Chemical Skin Peel Treatment?

Immediately following your skin peel you can expect some redness. This typically lasts 1-12 hours. The evening of the treatment, and the day following, your skin will feel tighter and possibly sensitive in a few localised areas. This is the initial response to be expected after the chemical peel. Once your skin has settled down you can expect it to be more hydrated, look brighter, fresher, more radiant and youthful. Pigmentation is also reduced, whilst wrinkles will gradually soften and fine lines often disappear. More than one skin peel treatment is usually required for optimal results. When combined with an AlumierMD home skin care regimen, even greater benefits will be achieved.

How Many Chemical Skin Peel Treatments Will I Need?

Beautiful skin is something which takes time to achieve and has to be maintained. For optimal results, we recommend an initial course of 3-6 treatments depending on the condition and requirements of your skin. Periodic maintenance treatments may be beneficial following your initial course. This will be discussed with you during your consultation and any subsequent treatments. Some patients choose to have an additional treatment a few weeks prior to special engagements or functions to ensure that their skin is ‘red carpet ready’.

What Skin Conditions Can Skin Peels Be Used For?

AlumierMD skin peels can be used to effectively treat a variety of skin conditions including acne, pigmentation, and ageing.

Do I Need to Come for a Review / Follow up Appointment?

Review appointments are not usually required. Though we encourage you to contact the clinic with any questions or concerns you may have in the days following your treatment, when a review appointment can be arranged if necessary.

Where Can Chemical Skin Peels Be Used?

AlumierMD chemical peels can be used on the face, neck, décolletage, shoulders, back, back of the hands - anywhere that a specific, treatable skin condition exists.

How Much Downtime Will I Have With Chemical Skin Peels?

Mild to moderate redness will show in the skin immediately following a chemical skin peel treatment. The degree of any redness will vary between individuals and with the type of peel treatment used. This initial redness will calm down over the following twelve hours. The day after a chemical peel treatment the skin will feel tighter, may still be warm to touch and possibly still be slightly sensitive. Following your treatment you will be given a post procedure kit containing products which will help to hydrate the skin while protecting it from UVA and UVB rays. From day three following treatment the skin may start to peel. This process can last for 3-5 days. Not everyone peels at the same rate and the peeling experienced may also be different with each treatment. Under all circumstances it is important not to pick peeling skin. This is to minimise the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Peeling usually stops after 7 days, leaving a fresh, glowing, youthful skin.

Are Chemical Skin Peels Painful?

The level of discomfort experienced during a chemical peel varies from person to person. Chemical peels use a range of acids and ingredients which interact differently with the skin. People often experience tingling and/or itching during an AlumierMD radiant 20/10 or radiant 30 peel. During an Alumier MD glow peel, heat is often felt for several minutes between each layer of peel being applied, and this sensation increases slightly with each additional layer. Any sensation of heat subsides on its own and subsequent layers of peel will not be applied until you and your practitioner are happy to continue.

Is Chemical Skin Peeling Safe for the Skin?

Chemical peels are safe treatments when performed correctly by a suitably trained and experienced medical professional who has detailed knowledge of the structure of the skin and its many functions. At Serenity you can be assured that your treatments will only be carried out by experienced professionals.

Are Chemical Skin Peels Good for Your Skin?

Chemical skin peels are good for the skin since they help to improve it’s texture and tone while reducing the appearance of any fine lines and scarring. These results are achieved by stimulating cell growth and exfoliating dead cells from the skin's surface. Further benefits of skin peels include a reduction in pigmentation caused by too much exposure to the sun (melasma), a reduction in the flaring of acne and a significant limiting of skin break-outs.

Are Chemical Skin Peels Safe for Sensitive Skin?

Chemical peels are tailored to each individual's specific skin type and any medical condition which they may have. If you have sensitive skin, the treatment will be adjusted accordingly, to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible, both during treatment and the recovery phase of the skin afterwards. Post-procedure home care kits are supplied for use after AlumierMD skin treatments to soothe the skin and aid in the recovery process.

Can Chemical Skin Peels Be Used in Conjunction With Any Other Treatment?

Chemical skin peels can be used in conjunction with any of the other treatments we offer at Serenity Aesthetics and are valuable as part of our aim to enhance the overall appearance and condition of your skin as much as possible.

Who Are AlumierMD?

AlumierMD is a full, luxury range of medical skin care products which harness the power of safe, clean ingredients, to produce professional results, along with home skin care products designed to address the problems associated with different skin types and conditions. Created by a team of physicians, biochemists and skincare experts, AlumierMD’s formulations constantly evolve as scientific research reveals new knowledge. AlumierMD are against animal testing and their entire range is free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrolatum, artificial fragrances and dyes. In line with this the brand is extremely environmentally conscious, using only recyclable packaging, and is deeply involved in efforts towards helping facilitate education and conservation on the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa.

Who Is Not Suitable for Chemical Skin Peeling?

If any of the following apply to you, you will not immediately be able to have a chemical skin peel:

• Currently using roaccutane, or have used it in the last six months
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Currently have an active cold sore
• If you have any allergies to any of the ingredients used in the treatment formulation
• Currently have any skin infection or open wound in the treatment area

There may be other reasons why you may not be suitable for treatment. If so, your practitioner will point these out during your consultation.

Can Chemical Skin Peels Make the Skin Worse?

When tailored to your skin’s individual needs and performed correctly, chemical skin peels are a safe treatment which will help complement your skin. Patients whose skin is prone to breaking out or who suffer from acne have an increased chance of an acute break-out, or ‘purging’, of the skin in the first few days following a chemical peel. Any purging is temporary, however, and is due to the accelerated rate of exfoliation stimulated by the active ingredients used during your treatment. Once the skin has settled down, pores will no longer be clogged and the skin will appear smoother and more youthful.

Are Chemical Skin Peels Bad for the Skin?

The key to chemical peels being safe is their being carried out only by a suitably trained and experienced medical professional - one who understands the structure of the skin and different skin types and conditions, and who is fully trained to perform the treatment correctly. Chemical skin peels contain a variety of active components, each of which works differently. It is therefore important that your practitioner understands their action and how long to leave the treatment on your skin. All our practitioners are trained to the highest level and their skill and understanding will help you achieve the best possible results.

Do Chemical Peels Age Your Skin?

Younger skin renews its cells over a period of approximately 28 days (this is the amount of time it takes a young cell to mature before eventually falling away from the skin’s surface). As we age, cell regeneration and exfoliation can take up to 56 days, leaving the skin looking dull and tired, with uneven skin tone and pigmentation. Chemical peels are designed to rejuvenate the skin cell cycle, which in turn will give younger, fresher looking skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.