When it comes to skincare, some things you had to go to a professional for are now able to be done in the comfort of your own home. Chemical peels are now included and can be very beneficial, no matter what skin type you have!
In this post, I am going to introduce you to Med Peel Professional Grade.
As an affiliate of MedPeel, I may earn a small commission on qualifying links.
What is a chemical peel?
You can think of a chemical peel as a strong form of exfoliation. They are a cosmetic treatment that uses acids to exfoliate. They come in 3 different strengths; superficial, medium, and deep.
Chemical peels are used to treat a wide array of skin conditions such as fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, age spots, hyperpigmentation, blackheads, clogged pores, and uneven skin tone.
Chemical peels affect two layers of the skin called the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outer layer of your skin and the dermis is (guess what) the layer beneath the epidermis.
Any chemical peel you use will remove the skin cells from the epidermis while a stronger peel removes some of the dermis as well.
What should you expect from a chemical peel?
Superficial Peel- All skin types can use these (even if you are a beginner) because they are the mildest. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are the gentlest acids and remove just a small part of the epidermis. They can be used to diminish the presence of fine lines, mild scarring, and faint hyperpigmentation.
Superficial peels should be repeated every 2-3 weeks in a series of 6-8 treatments then maintained monthly.
Medium Peels- TCA (trichloracetic acid) is usually the main ingredient in these peels. The epidermis and some of the dermis are removed and this will reduce wrinkles, clear pores, reduce blemishes, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and precancerous growths.
Jessner solution is also a popular peel to use that combines resorcinal, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid.
Your skin will be extremely pink in color for 2-3 days which will fade as your skin heals.
Deep Peels- You can use TCA or layer the Jessner solution for a deep peel. The deep peels cause a second-degree burn on the skin and they penetrate all the way to the third layer.
The deep peels are for targeting moderate to severe scarring, melasma, deep wrinkles, sun damage, and precancerous growths.
The skin can stay intensely red and stay red for up to 2 months. It could take a few months to fully recover. An ointment, such as petroleum jelly, may be applied to protect the skin. Since bleaching of the skin will occur, this is not done on darker skin types.
Read now about the benefits of doing a chemical peel.
Before performing any peel, consult your physician and Deep Peels should only be done by a professional.
How to do your own peel
If you are a beginner or have sensitive skin, you will want to start with the lowest concentration of chemicals and gradually increase the strength.
Stop using any tretinoin products one week before you use the chemical peel.
Exfoliate with mild scrub 24 hours before your treatment.
Perform a patch test by applying the chemical peel to the inner arm or wrist using a cotton swab. Check your skin at 48 & 96 hours. If you have irritation, lower the concentration or don’t use it.
On the day of the chemical peel
1. Wash your face with a soap-free cleanser and pat dry.
2. Use the prep solution that came with the kit.
3. Apply petroleum jelly around sensitive areas like your nostrils, your eyes, and the corners of your lips.
4. Apply the chemical peel using a cotton ball, cotton swab, or small brush evenly starting with the least sensitive areas like your cheeks, chin, and forehead.
5. Leave the peel on for the time specified on the package. Some burning is normal but if it gets too hot or your skin turns pink, Wash It Off Immediately!
6. To remove the peel, some kits come with a neutralizer but if it didn’t, then it was designed to stop working when washed off. You can make your own neutralizer using water and baking soda to apply after you have washed off the peel.
7. Apply moisturizers, masks, and ointments to keep your skin hydrated. If you start to peel, Do Not Pick At It! Your skin will also be sensitive so make sure you WEAR SUNSCREEN!
What You May Expect Following Peel
Depending on the strength of the peel you used, you may experience some or all of the following.
1. You will have darkening, swelling, and redness, or your skin may turn a powdery white color.
2. Your skin may feel dry and tight or can become wrinkled and flakey for a day or two. With the medium peel, on about day 4 or 5, your skin will start peeling quite a bit and last for about 4 days up to one week.
3. When the peeling slows and stops, it means your skin has begun healing however, outer layers may still have a pink color. You need to be sure to protect your skin using broadband SPF and hyaluronic acid moisturizer twice daily.
You will have visible results including firmer skin, less discoloration, reduced blemishes, a reduction in wrinkles, and a smoother more radiant tone.
What to expect with your first chemical peel.
Aftercare for a chemical peel.
How often can you apply a chemical peel?
The frequency of applying a peel depends on the type of peel you use, your skin type, and the issues you are trying to address.
If you are using a light peel, you can apply it once every 2 weeks for up to 6-8 treatments. For a medium peel, you can apply every 2-4 weeks up to 5-7 treatments. When applying the deep peel, MedPeel’s site states you can apply these every 2 weeks, with the exception of the Glycolic 70% and Vitamin C 70%, up to 4-6 treatments.
Related: What You Should Know About Chemical Peels.
What is MedPeel?
They are a group of skincare professionals that specialize in skin peels and skin care treatments. They have over 25 years of experience in skincare and their products are made in a GMP & FDA-compliant lab.
Their products are made in the USA and are tested and also used by their group of estheticians and physicians.
They do not test on animals, are paraben-free, use recyclable containers, and never use hazardous to the environment materials.
MedPeel wants you to be 100% satisfied with their products, so, if for any reason you are not, they will replace the product or refund your money.
What products does MedPeel offer?
Of course, MedPeel offers an array of different types of peels. Peel types include Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, AHA with Vitamin C, TCA, Alpha Beta, Jessner, and Fusion.
Don’t panic if you have no idea what kind of peel you should use, they have a Peel Quiz you can take and they will customize the right peel for you!
The peel kits come with the Prep Solution, Peel, Neutralizer Spray, & Hyaluronic Replenish Serum. The kits will also come with instructions on how to prepare, how to perform, and after-care instructions.
Skincare Products
Serums- They have serums like Vitamin C 30x Anti-Aging Serum, Vitamin C 30x Retinol Serum, Daily Collagen Complex, Hyaluronic Replenish Serum, and others that penetrate deeper into your skin and also help your skin’s recovery after a chemical peel.
Moisturizer- For after-peel care or your daily routine, they offer Advanced Repair Daily Moisturizer, Youth Restore Firming Ceramide Cream, & Hyaluronic Moisture Cream.
Eye Cream- Professional Strength Age Reverse Multi-Correct Eye Cream.
Exfoliators- About a week after your peel, you can start exfoliating again. The exfoliators they offer will help enhance your peel results. Exfoliators include Resurfacing AHA/PHA Exfoliating Scrub, Salicyclic Acid 2% Daily Exfoliator, Glycolic 10% Daily Exfoliator, & Brightening AHA 10% Vitamin C Daily Exfoliator.
Other products include masks, scrubs, and sets & kits.
Who should not get a peel?
1. If you are taking or have taken in the past year- Antibiotics, Accutane, or Oral Steroids.
2. Prone to forming keloid scars.
3. Prone to cold sores on the mouth or face or have an immune deficiency.
4. Receiving chemotherapy or radiation
5. Treated with hair removal system in past 2 days.
5. Pregnant or nursing.
Conclusion
If you have been thinking about doing your own chemical peel but were afraid, I hope this has put your mind at ease. To be honest, I was a little afraid of them myself until reading all of the information on MedPeel’s site and researching others’ experiences.
Once again, though, consult with your physician first.
If there are any questions I have not addressed for you, please let me know in the comments or you can refer to MedPeel.
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Although not at this stage in my life yet, I have a mother-in-law that would die for this post! It does seem kind of scary thinking about “burning” off your wrinkles though, doesn’t it? She spends hundreds of dollars to have someone do it for her and it seems like with your post, she should be able to save some of that money.
Thanks!
Chemical peels can be used for acne, scarring, or discoloration as well as for anti-aging purposes. While the peel may cause some burning, it doesn’t burn the wrinkles off. It soaks into the skin and the peeling that comes afterward is what will reveal fresh, new skin.
This is a very interesting post on doing chemical peels at home, something which I though could only be done by a qualified beautician. Seeing that the medium and deep peels can even remove precancerous growths, is very good to know.
I am though concerned that it can take up to 2 months after a deep peel for the skin to stay red. Would it be advisable to only do a deep peel under extreme circumstances when a medium peel or other treatments didn’t have the desired effect?
You mention that one can make your own neutralizer with water and baking soda, but what ratio should one be using? Is it best to use a neutralizer, even if the chemical peel can be washed off? Thank you.
That is why I like the MedPeel chemical peels, they put it all together for you. I would repeat the light or medium peel as many times as recommended before even considering a deep peel. For your own neutralizer, you mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 4 cups of water.