Busting the Chemical Peel Myths

Chemical peels have had a bit of a bad reputation, enhanced by that famous episode of Sex and the City when Samantha looked as though she had severe burns and sheets of skin falling off her face after having a chemical peel. The truth is that there are significant benefits to chemical peels and if performed by experienced therapists, are a great way to improve a number of skin issues ranging from ageing to pigmentation to acne.

Myth #1 – Chemical peels result in a lot of downtime

Very deep chemical peels (like the one Samantha had) are not performed any more as there are now laser treatments to help resolve deep skin issues. There are a variety of other peels now available and their depth and strength will dictate any downtime, however many chemical peels have no downtime, particularly if the skin is well prepared with the appropriate products. Your clinician will advise you on what to expect prior to any treatment.

Myth #2 – Chemical peels can be done at home

Chemical peels sold over-the-counter or online will not give the same results as stronger ones performed in-clinic by experienced professionals who tailor the peel according to your skin condition. Chemical peels can cause side effects such as hyper or hypo-pigmentation and an experienced therapist undertakes a thorough consultation prior to advising on a treatment plan and peel to ensure the best outcome. Many people who purchase peels online find they spend more money trying to reverse the damage!

Myth #3 – Chemicals are bad for you

Not all chemicals are bad and often people are scared off by this word. Chemical peels do contain chemicals as do other everyday products such as paracetamol and hair dye. Actually, the active acids in most chemical peels are natural. Glycolic acid comes from sugar cane, lactic acid from sour milk and salicylic acid from wintergreen. These products are safe to use as long as all risks and possible contraindications are assessed before the treatment.

Myth #4 – Chemical peels are only used to treat specific skin issues

Chemical peels can be beneficial for most skin types including sensitive skin. Chemical peels not only treat problem prone skin, but they can also be preventative as well. The normal rate of skin cell turnover is between 21-28 days. Depending on the amount of damage in our skin, this rate tends to slow down dramatically usually starting in our late 20's. Even receiving very mild skin peels such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids will help to increase this cellular turnover to stimulate healthy cell growth while exfoliating dead cells. Prevention for the skin will only be effective if proper skincare products are used along with proper sun protection. 

Myth #5 – Chemical peels are a once-off solution

Whilst most people will experience visible results after one chemical peel, often the best outcome will be achieved after a series of peels or in combination with other treatments. An experienced therapist will be able to advise you on the best treatment plan based on your skin and expectations. As always, results will be enhanced with the correct pre-and post- skin care regime, as advised by your clinician.

IPL is NOT a Laser - The Important Differences

We are often asked by people what the difference is between IPL and diode laser hair removal. It is a common misconception that they are essentially the same thing, but this is simply not the case. This is not helped by some practitioners telling their clients that they use a laser, when it is in fact IPL!

Although IPL has been used for years and is great for treatments such as facial rejuvenation, its use in permanent hair reduction has become somewhat outdated given the advances in laser hair removal technology.

The technical differences are simplified as follows:

1. During the hair removal process, the melanin of the hair absorbs the energy from light that is transmitted by the hair removal device (laser or IPL) and transforms it into heat in order to eliminate the cells responsible for hair growth.
2. Diode laser only emits one pure red light that is absorbed by the melanin of the hair. This pure red colour results in the optimum energy absorption by the melanin in order to transform it into heat to eliminate the hair growth cells efficiently and safely.
3. IPL, which is not a laser, emits a spectrum of lights combining different colours. Only the red light in this spectrum is absorbed by the melanin, meaning all the other energy is wasted and unnecessarily absorbed by the skin.

Essentially, the “scatter gun” approach of IPL is more inefficient and results in the need for significantly more sessions (usually over double). In addition, many hair growth cells fail to be completely destroyed, meaning a lot of hair will eventually grow back. There can also be more risks and pain associated with IPL treatments as the skin unnecessarily absorbs energy.

So protect your skin and save yourself money in the long run by choosing a clinic that offers high quality laser hair removal technology.

Unwanted facial hair

Women are incredibly distressed when they discover hair growth in places they have not experienced before. The facial area is the most common area for this issue. Facial hair in women is usually hormonally driven and can be caused by factors such as genetics, body changes such as menopause and certain drugs. Drugs that can cause unwanted facial hair include insulin, birth control pills and chemotherapy. 

Women of all ages, from teenagers through to seventy year olds, experience this. Many of our clients think they are the only woman getting treatment for facial hair, however it is one of our most common treatments!

Facial hair can really affect a woman’s confidence, and they often feel that it is a constant battle that needs to be fought with bleaching, plucking, waxing, electrolysis, shaving and threading.

However help is at hand.

Laser hair removal is being chosen by more and more women as an alternative to the skin irritation, scarring, messiness, re-growth, and inconvenience associated with older methods of hair removal. As laser technology has become more advanced, it has also become more available and more affordable. It can leave your skin feeling smoother, and the results last for much longer than other alternatives, with many people achieving permanent results.

Laser hair removal has also been shown to help women who have genuine anxiety, depression, or just plain frustration about their hair.