Many people believe a skin peel treatment is an alarming procedure to undertake, primarily because of how they have been portrayed in the media and on television make-over programmes.

It is thought that skin peels take multiple layers off the skin, leaving the user with a lot of recovery time. However, there are in fact lighter and more superficial peels that can be provided to treat many skin complaints such as acne, Rosacea, pigmentation, including sun damage, and melasma (hormonal pigment) and to improve general skin appearance.

Superficial skin peels work by removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, which then stimulates new cells to grow. These peels are very gentle and only work on the epidermis, removing the most outer layer of skin, leaving hardly any down time. Deeper skin peels that can be performed by a doctor will remove multiple layers of skin and these may result in two weeks down time or more.

Skin peels contain AHAs and BHAs
AHA stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acid, the most common of which is glycolic acid, a natural ingredient derived from sugar cane. Glycolic acid has skin renewing properties often used in peels and products which easily penetrate into the skin. Glycolic acid helps to smooth out fine lines, fade pigmentation and improve sun damage. In fact it’s great at deep exfoliation of the skin: improving spots, blocked pores and blackheads.

Another AHA commonly used is lactic acid, derived from milk. Unlike other AHAs, it is very gentle, perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids do increase photosensitivity, so be careful when exposed to the sun.

The most common BHA, Beta Hydroxy Acid, is salicylic, used to treat oily and acne prone skin. If acne is affecting confidence, then this skin peel is the right one to use. A salicylic skin peel is very light and works on the outer layers of the epidermis improving clogged pores, congestion, oily skin tone and acne. With a very short downtime, this is a great treatment as it can be carried out as often as every two weeks.

Rosacea?
For those requiring improvement to sensitive skin and to address Rosacea, then mandelic skin peels, a type of AHA similar to glycolic and lactic acid, are best. Mandelic molecules are much larger than glycolic and lactic acids and therefore penetrate less deeply, reducing irritation. This is a brilliant peel for someone with very sensitive skin, or who wants a light skin peel.

Combining skin peels?
Certain skin peels can be combined, for example, the salicylic and the mandelic skin peels. Using both together is ideal for someone who has acne, Rosacea or an area of inflammation.

Epsom Skin Clinics recommend a consultation with a trained therapist prior to any treatment as the best way to start so that correct advice and information can be given to ensure a client benefits from and achieves the best possible results.

essence info

Epsom Skin Clinics
Website: www.epsomskinclinics.com
Telephone: 01372 737280 (Epsom) or 020 8399 5996 (Surbiton)
Instagram: @epsomskinclinics