Chemical Peel 101: Everything you Want to Know  

By Rachel Kapur 
October 27, 2016

​We have all heard of Chemical Peels but how much do we know about them and their benefits?

We decided to find out more about Chemical Peels by visiting Shafer Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in New York City which specializes in Chemical peels and various other non-invasive skin treatments. Chemical peels are used to improve the skin's appearance by using a chemical solution that is applied to the skin, which makes it "blister" and eventually peel off. The new skin is smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

For first timers like us we wanted to find out what types of Chemical Peels are offered and what the benefits and risks are. 
Shafer Plastic Surgery & Laser Center offers five different types of peels which include:  
  • Glycolic Peel: Glycolic acid and antioxidants are used to achieve tighter, brighter and more radiant skin. Minimizes pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Illuminize Peel: A gentle peel that provides brightening and tightening that you desire if you have an upcoming event or just want to reveal a more youthful glow. This peel is indicated for mild skin conditions, first-time chemical peel patients or patients looking for a gentle superficial peel.
  • Vitalize Peel: Retinoic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids and resorcinol create a uniquely safe and strong superficial medical strength peel that reduces appearance of browns spots, sun damage, melasma, fine lines/wrinkles, acne and acne scarring. Peeling may start in forty eight hours. A series of peels is recommended for best results.
  • Rejuvenize Peel: The Rejuvenize Peel is a professional grade, deep chemical peel that aggressively treats sun damage, melasma, acne, acne scarring and fine wrinkles in as little as just one application. Penetrating deeply into the surface layers of the skin, and begins working almost instantly.
  • VI Peel: A unique and revolutionary medical grade chemical peel designed to achieve dramatic results after just one treatment. Safe for all skin types. The VI Peel will improve the tone, texture and clarity of the skin; reduce or eliminate age spots, freckles, and hyper-pigmentation, including melasma; soften lines and wrinkles; clear acne skin conditions; reduce or eliminate acne scars; and stimulate the production of collagen, for firmer, more youthful skin. Vi Peel also works well in conjunction with lasers, injectables and post surgical procedures.​​​
Based on the advice of our Aesthetician, who determined what peel is best for us based on our needs and skin tone, we decided to try the SkinMedica Vitalize Peel. The Vitalize Peel is a a medical grade peel that works to reduce appearance of browns spots, sun damage, fine lines/wrinkles, acne and acne scarring. Since this was our first medical grade peel we were unsure of our reaction to it. The actual process literally took fifteen minutes and instantly a tightening sensation was felt on the skin. The skin looked red and was a bit painful. Since we were heading out for the evening Dr. Shafer suggested applying Oxygentix Foundation to our skin to mask the redness. The foundation worked wonders! It completely hid all redness and is highly regarded as the most breathable foundation. We were even told that it is so healthy for your skin that you could even sleep in it!

Before bedtime you are allowed to wash your face gently. For the next few days we had a slight redness which was covered by Oxygentix. Some patients end up peeling after 48 hours and unfortunately we were lucky enough to have the peeling and pain for a few days. Literally our entire face was peeling. We highly recommend having the Chemical Peel on a Thursday in case you end up experiencing the peeling so you can hibernate for the weekend! 

After the peeling subsided we were left with softer and brighter looking skin! Our acne scars were not completely gone, however they did look a bit lighter. We were advised for better results from the SkinMedica Vitalize Peel you would need a series of up to six peels depending on your skin condition. We may or may not have a peel again however we have continued to use Oxygentix as part of our daily make-up routine!