Let's talk a little about chemical peels.. people love them because they provide a deeper exfoliation than a manual scrub will ever do. By using gentle acids, such as AHA, BHA, etc.. The deeper layers of the skin are affected, helping to decrease wrinkles and scarring, while increasing even skin tone and leaving the skin with an overall beautiful glow.
The downside about facial peels? You really can't f*** around with them. If you aren't careful and following instructions, you can really hurt your skin by leaving a burn mark. So, it's extremely important to follow the manufacturer instructions (especially if you aren't a licensed esthetician) and monitor your skin carefully for any adverse reactions. Also, depending on the type / strength of the peel, tingling.. even a bit of stinging.. can be normal. It can also be uncomfortable. I have found that using those portable battery-operated fans really helps bite the sting while the peel is doing its magic.
As I said, there are many different types of chemical peels. #DrSong's lactic acid peel is a type of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that is derived from milk. People tend to choose lactic peels over glycolic, for example, because they are a bit more gentle. Also, like most AHA peels, this peel doesn't require any downtime. You may or may not experience peeling. It all depends on how long you leave it on, how often you exfoliated prior to the peel, previous treatments, etc
In the past, I mostly performed glycolic acid peels and fruit enzymes on myself and my clients. I really loved the results I got, but I have to say, I am thrilled at the results of this lactic acid peel. 50% is a bit strong, which is something else you have to consider when purchasing a peel. It doesn't just come as "glycolic acid," "lactic acid," etc., etc. There are different strengths of each peel as well, the higher the percentage, the stronger the peel. Since this is the strongest peel I've ever performed on myself, I took extra precautions to ensure i follow the directions on Dr. Song's website thoroughly, which are as follows:
Step 1: Cleanse the face and neck, and gently pat dry.
Step 2: Apply a small amount with a brush or cotton ball to the area and leave on as needed. Rinse product with water and pat dry after. Leave on for 1 minute for your first peel and slowly increase the time of each peel afterwards by 1-2 minutes as needed. General recommended time is 4 weeks between each peel. Please keep in mind, these are general guidelines, and everyone’s skin is different. Peel times vary from person to person, which can only be learned through experience and patience to avoid any burns. Skin patch tests are the most accurate method and minimize risk.
One thing that I really like about this product is that it is neutralized with plain water, whereas many chemical peels require a mixture of baking soda / water. This is fine, of course, but obviously much easier to be able to just splash water on my face.
In regards to the application.. I cleanse my skin twice. I encourage that you do the same. This is to ensure that every single trace of dirt and oil has been removed from the skin. After all, you want a clean palate, don't you? After cleansing, I apply a very small amount of the peel to my face using a fan brush. If using a brush, I recommend using one with synthetic bristles, as it not only feels nicer on the skin, but provides a more even distribution.
I left the peel on as long as I could tolerate. I ensured that I had a mirror in front of me, so I could monitor my skin for any "hot spots." If you see any areas that are getting very red and warm, I would advise you remove the peel in that specific area. Use a bit of wet cotton to dab the area. You don't want to risk damage. After approximately 7 minutes, I couldn't take it anymore. I mean, you really feel it. I removed the peel with warm water and cotton. The important thing here is to really make sure the entire mask is off. You don't want to accidentally forget to take off part of a chemical peel. After thoroughly removing every bit of it, I went back to areas that still stung and again wiped the area with regular water. Better safe than sorry, right?
Now, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret.. the key step to ensure a good peel is making sure that you use good aftercare. So, after doing any chemical peel, I immediately re-hydrate with a soothing, moisturizing face mask. I really enjoy the hibiscus calendula face mask by Eminence Organics, however, choose what mask you like, so long as it is hydrating. This means nothing with clays, muds, etc whose main goal is to pull stuff out of the skin. You don't want that. After removing my mask, I apply a hydrating serum and a semi-rich moisturizer and do not forget sunscreen, people! It is crucial!
**A note on how much product to use: Peels are peels. You don't need them to be uber thick, you just need it to be on your face. Start small, use your brush (or gloved fingers, or cotton if you want, but I don't like it, since it absorbs precious product) and apply a thin layer to your entire face and neck. Avoid getting very close to the eye area. You definitely don't want this stuff in your eyes.
After my lactic acid peel, I noticed that my skin was immediately brighter and had a gorgeous glow to it. Even my boyfriend noticed that my skin had a gorgeous glow, and you know that most boys don't notice stuff like that!! I absolutely love this peel, though I must caution, yet again, that anyone out there using this product is very careful, as they should be with all chemical peels. As stated above, following directions is super important, as is monitoring the skin during the peel, and providing good aftercare. And reallllllyyyyy, don't forget your sunscreen!!!!!
I love you, Dr. Song, for making my skin look so damn pretty.
You can purchase a 1 oz bottle of Dr. Song's 50% lactic acid peel here on amazon for $19.95. This is a pretty good price, especially for the size and quality. I encourage it, just be careful, as you should be with any chemical peel or enzyme.
No comments:
Post a Comment