This 70-degree weather doesn’t feel like it’s the holidays, but Christmas is just 12 days away! So this month we’ve been rolling out no downtime weekly specials that will give your skin some holiday radiance! This week is the MicroPeel and it’s a staff favorite. Not only does it exfoliate your skin in multiple ways, but the immediate benefits of the peel literally make you glow like you just put on your favorite Bobbi Brown shimmer brick!
The SkinCeuticals Micropeel is a three-step clinical procedure combining dermaplaning (physical exfoliation witha surgical blade), chemical exfoliation with a customized peel, and an anti-bacterial cryogenic therapy. Together, these three steps improve skin texture and radiance, reduce acne blemishes and help prevent future breakouts, firm skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, lighten dark spots and even-out skin tone, and revitalize sensitive skin while decongesting pores. And not only did I get to learn about the Micropeel, but I also got one…so I can tell you allll about how it feels!
Step 1: Dermaplaning
First let’s talk about dermaplaning, because it’s also a stand alone service, and has benefits of its own. Dermaplaning is a gentle skin resurfacing procedure that uses a special surgical blade to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. As an added bonus, it also removes facial hair—a great procedure for people wanting to remove lighter-colored facial hair or “peach fuzz.” You end up with very smooth-looking, glowing skin.
When used as the first step of the Micropeel, the removal of the dead skin cells not only allows for cell renewal, but also allows for better penetration of the chemical peel, which is customized for your skin type and skincare needs, as the second step of the Micropeel.
What does dermaplaning feel like? Just feels like a slight scraping sensation that is not uncomfortable at all. My skin felt slightly itchy after we were done.
Step 2: Chemical Peel
Several options are available for the chemical peel portion of the MicroPeel: sensitive skin solution, pigment balancing peel, lactic acid, glycolic acid, or salicyclic acid, or the micropeel plus. Which peel you use will be based on your skin type and needs.
Here are the options for various skin care needs:
Sensitive Skin Solution
This peel is for the person who has sensitive skin and can’t tolerate a strong acid. It contains Niacin, lactic acid and usnic acid. It exfoliates and decongests pores while hydrating the skin.
Pigment Balancing Peel
This treatment is a unique, customizable chemical peel targeting hyperpigmentation to dramatically improve the uneven appearance of photo-damaged, mottled skin (most efffective after a series of 4-6 treatments). This peel combines brightening and anti-inflammatory agents with a powerful exfoliating acid solution to accelerate cell renewal and diminish, diffuse and localize hyperpigmentation.
The Micropeel 20 Solution (or 30% for a step higher)
This is formulated with 20% unbuffered and unneutralized glycolic acid at a low pH, accelerates cell renewal to reduce signs of photodamage and environmental stressors. The Micropeel 20 may be customized to accommodate all skin types and is ideal for patients looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, laxity, dullness, and skin imperfections.
MicroPeel Plus
This procedure is a unique one-step treatment of chemical exfoliation designed to reduce acne, keep problematic skin clear of breakouts, and help correct enviormental skin damage. With a combination of salicylic acid to refine pores and help reduce the apperance of acne and glycolic acid to aid in the improvement of rough texture, blotchiness, and uneven skin tone.
What does the peel feel like? I received the 20% solution peel and it felt like stinging and some itching for about 30 seconds and then it calmed down. It is very tolerable!
Step 3: Cryogenic Therapy
This feels amazing and has great benefits! This is a clinical skin freezing procedure (a small ball of CO2 is drawn rapidly over the face) used to immediately increase the rate of the skin cell turnover. This causes sun-damaged cells to be shed, more even skin tone, and pores to appear smaller. Due to its low temperature, this anti-bacterial treatment sanitizes skin and shows an anti-inflammatory response calming inflamed skin. Repeated cryogenic therapy treatments help direct cells into a more normal growth pattern. This results in noticeably smoother skin texture and a radiant glow.
How many Micropeel treatments will you need? We recommend four to six treatments for maximum results, particularly if you are treating acne prone skin or hyperpigmentation.
Give yourself this gift…you won’t be disappointed. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!