It’s a medieval joust out there – in the world of skincare, that is! And the realm of skin peels is no exception. Most peels gain their effectiveness from two basic categories of ingredients: enzymes or chemicals. Both offer exfoliation of skin cells to varying degrees, leaving skin brighter and smoother and better prepared to accept hydration. But which one is best for your skin’s overall health? Well, it depends! Here, I’ll break down the basics of each. I offer both chemical and enzyme peels in my treatments, so book your appointment today!
Chemical peels, provide a variety of results, depending on the strength, progressive or mid- depth. Chemical compounds including salicylic acid, glycolic acid, TCA and lactic acid are often used. These peels range on the spectrum from superficial to medium to deep as far as how much they penetrate the skin’s layers. Chemical peels exfoliate dead skin cells and can also remove LIVING cells. While effective, chemical peels are associated with heightened sun sensitivity and may not be appropriate for all skin types. In addition, medium and deep chemical peels may require weeks of down time due to pain, redness, and even scabbing – and as such, it can take weeks to see benefits to the skin. Chemical peels are generally administered by physicians or estheticians on a periodic basis.
Book here for a Chemical Peel
Enzyme peels offer a more gentle solution that can be incorporated into a regular skincare regimen! These treatments can speed up natural chemical reactions in the skin that renew skin cells while exfoliating dead cells. Enzyme peels are ideal for use on a more regular basis, think of it as polish up your skin if you will: enzymes will remove that top layer of dead dull skin, revealing that fresh glowing youthful skin. The most amazing thing about enzyme peels is that they do not damage or remove live tissue! They exfoliate ONLY dead cells, which is a big reason why enzyme peels are great for nearly all skin types. Because there is no injury to live skin, there’s no down time – so no hiding out in the dark at home for days on end! As a huge fan of enzyme peels, I love the immediate, visible results of these skincare treatments. Some may use enzyme peels at home in between professionally administered treatments. With enzyme peels, look for natural ingredients like papain from papaya, bromelain from pineapple, pumpkin!
Book here for an Enzyme Peel