Chemical peeling continues to be the gold standard in cosmetic enhancement of facial skin. Chemical peeling of the face has been performed for many years. The ancient Egyptians used particles of alabaster mixed with milk and honey to abrade facial skin to create tightening. In Egypt Cleopatra is said to have bathed in sour milk, while French women have applied fermented wine to their faces to improve the quality of the skin.

Chemical peels are becoming more and more popular as a way to freshen the face by removing the outer layer of skin to reveal the smoother, newer skin underneath. People of all skin types can benefit from chemical peels to give their face a younger, healthier look.

What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is an outpatient procedure that uses a chemical to remove damaged skin cells from the outer layer of skin. The chemical is applied with a brush or other soft applicator and usually left on your skin only for a few minutes.

Chemical peels are becoming more and more popular as a way to freshen the face by removing the outer layer of skin to reveal the smoother, newer skin underneath. People of all skin types can benefit from chemical peels to give their face a younger, healthier look.

What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is an outpatient procedure that uses a chemical to remove damaged skin cells from the outer layer of skin. The chemical is applied with a brush or other soft applicator and usually left on your skin only for a few minutes.

What Can a Chemical Peel Do For Me?

• smooth rough skin and improve its texture.
• clear facial blemishes for a period of time.
• reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• reduce splotches, age spots, or uneven skin tone.
• reduce the appearance of scars caused by acne and can sometimes control acne breakouts.

Where can chemical peels be used?
A chemical peel can be performed on the entire face or just the problem areas. Certain types of chemical peels can be used on other parts of the body besides the face.

How long will the treatment take?
From start to finish the procedure should take approximately 45 minutes. There is little or no downtime.

What should I expect after my peel?
Due to multiple variables, you may or may not peel. Although, you may notice light flaking in localized areas for several days. Peeling usually begins the second day after treatment and may continue for 5 days.
Your skin may experience residual redness for 24 hours.
Your skin may feel warm, tight, and "pulled" for several days.

What should I do after my peel?
Do not wash your face for at least 4 hours after your peel. When washing your face, do not scrub. Use a gentle cleanser.
You may be more sensitive to the sun, so limit sun exposure during treatment and for at least one week afterwards. Use sun protection for the face of at least SPF 30 or higher.
Do not pick or pull at loose or exfoliating skin.

Avoid strenuous exercise and swimming for at least 48 hrs, as the perspiration may irritate the skin.
Avoid hot tubs, Jacuzzis, saunas, and very hot showers for 48hrs.

Only use mineral makeup on the day of your peel. Avoid wearing foundation after the treatment or during the days when the skin is actually peeling. Many non-mineral foundations contain ingredients that are greasy, fragranced, and irritating.

Do not have any other facial treatments such as IPL/, laser, electolysis or waxing for at least one week after your peel.
You may resume regular use of Retin-A, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) products, or bleaching creams only after the peeling process is complete.

When Can I schedule my next peel?
We usually recommend you receive your chemical peel every three weeks for maximum benefits. Ask your skin care professional when to schedule your next peel.

Vitalize Peel

Vitalize Peel from SkinMedica brings the benefits of alpha-hydroxy and other peeling agents in a unique blend to provide a strong, but gentle treatment that is appropriate for all skin types. Vitalize Peel has been clinically proven to help reduce the visible signs of aging.

After one Vitalize Peel, you will notice:

• An improvement in your skin's texture and tone
• Lessening of Fine Lines
• Healthier More Youthful Appearance
• Dramatic Results are Achieved With a Series of Peels

Who should consider a Vitalize Peel?
Anyone who wants their skin to look better and help fight the effects of time should consider Vitalize Peel. Those who have sun-damaged, aging, blemish-prone, acne scarring skin, hyperpigmentation, melasma, or general poor skin quality will benefit most.

How long will the treatment take?
From start to finish the procedure should take approximately 20 minutes. There is little or no downtime.

When Can I schedule my next peel?
Vitalize Peel is gentle enough to use every three weeks for maximum benefits. Ask your skin care professional when to schedule your next peel.

What should I do after my peel?
You may be more sensitive to the sun, so limit sun exposure during treatment and for at least one week afterwards. Use sun protection for the face of at least SPF 20 or higher.

Avoid strenuous exercise for at least two or three days, as the perspiration may irritate the skin.

When washing your face, do not scrub. Use a gentle cleanser.

Avoid wearing foundation after the treatment or during the days when the skin is actually peeling. Many foundations contain ingredients that are greasy, fragranced, and irritating.

Don not "help" the skin to peel to avoid scarring or rashes. Do not pull on or peel shedding skin. Control the flaking with a light moisturizer.

Do not have any other facial treatments for at least one week after your vitalize Peel. You may resume regular use of Retin-A, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) products, or bleaching creams only after the peeling process is complete.

Enhanced Jessner's Peels

These innovative and proven light-to-medium depth peel formulas effectively exfoliate with blends of lactic, citric and salicylic acids and resorcinol, while bleaching and inhibiting pigment production. These peels help repair and reduce breakouts, control oil, soften lines and provide a more even, smoother skin texture. Talk to us about if this is right for you.

TCA PEELS

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels are often thought of as very aggressive and producing substantial discomfort. Radiance Medspa Fairfax treats with PCA Professional™ TCA peels. These peels are very different from the standard. PCA's TCA solutions are blends formulated with many ingredients including lactic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), plumping phytohormones and kojic and azelaic acids to produce dramatic results without the discomfort and downtime associated with traditional TCA peels.

Salicylic Acid Peels

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid and the only member of the beta-hydroxy acid family. Salicylic acid is beneficial for acne vulgaris, enlarged pores, rough and oily skin, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and photoaging.

Anyone who wants their skin to look better and help fight acne vulgaris, enlarged pores, rough and oily skin, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and photoaging or general poor skin quality will benefit most from this peel.

Retinol based peels

Retinol treatments will encourage additional flaking and peeling, and may be used alone or on top of any other PCA Professional™ chemical peel to produce a tightening and brightening effect. The retinol (vitamin A) content in some PCA Peels helps increase cell turnover to keep skin looking fresh. Most retinols work well on all skin types and conditions.

Visit us today to find out which peel is right for you.