Physical beauty used to be a thing that came naturally. Genetics played more of a role in someone’s appearance than anything else and you lived with the hand you were dealt, so to speak. Anti-aging treatments were unheard of and no one worried about how all those years spent unshielded from the sun would affect their skin. However, times have changed and with the help of modern medicine, nearly anyone can turn back the hands of time where their faces are concerned. While many choose to trust their skin to a doctor or aesthetician with specialized training, there are an increasing number of people who are taking the clock’s hands into their own hands. The results aren’t always pretty.
With the surge in online shopping over the last decade, the marketplace has been flooded with every type of product imaginable. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to think of anything that can’t be purchased with the click of a mouse. This includes a myriad of skin-care products. From cleansers to moisturizers and acne treatments to wrinkle creams, beautiful skin has become big business. The beauty industry is worth nearly half-trillion dollars and both men and women are spending money in the pursuit of perfection. That being said, while there are a great many products created for home use by the novice beauty DIYer, there are some that should absolutely be left to the professionals. Chemical peels top that list. A search of some of the world’s most popular online shopping sites for DIY or at-home chemical peels will result in a deluge of products filling the screen. While there are options that are mild and considered safe, there are just as many or more that are flat-out dangerous when put in the hands of an amateur.
It’s certainly understandable that an at-home chemical peel seems an attractive option, as it is considerably less expensive than that offered at a professional’s office. But there is a reason why. The money that you are paying the professional is for their expertise. Some of the peels sold online don’t even include instructions and if they do, they may be difficult to decipher and lead to increased chances of mishaps.
Chemical peels are exactly what they sound like. Acids that, when applied correctly, gently “peel” or exfoliate the top layers of the skin, revealing the youthful new skin beneath. People undergo chemical peels to reduce or eliminate wrinkles and fine lines, acne scars, years of sun damage or to correct uneven skin tone. The cost of a professional peel varies depending on the type of peel, which is one reason why so many are flocking to the internet for DIY options that can be purchased for as little at $15.00.
There are innumerable reasons to trust this kind of skin care to a professional but first and foremost is training. Knowledge is power and these people have it. Not all skin is created equal and a trained clinician will understand how chemicals will affect different skin types. They also know how to treat the skin prior to a chemical treatment in order to maximize results and minimize any potential damage. A professional will take into account any medications a patient may be taking and their medical history to get a better picture of how certain chemical procedures will be tolerated.
For an at-home chemical peel, a product containing an alpha hydroxy acid (such as salicylic and glycolic acids) content of 10% or less is generally considered safe. Anything more than 30% should be left to a professional and even most of them would agree that amount is considered an aggressive treatment. However, it has been reported that people have been able to purchase 100% trichloroacetic acid online. This is a medical-grade chemical and when applied in such high concentrations could lead to second- and third-degree chemical burns as well as permanent scarring.
When planning a chemical procedure, it’s imperative to speak to a professional and let them guide you through the options before committing to a plan. If you are in New York City, a consultation with Jane Scher at SkinTight MedSpa will assist you in making an informed decision about whether a chemical treatment is right for you. Your face is too precious to take chances with so let the professionals at SkinTight help you get glowing the right way.
