A chemical peel is a popular beauty procedure used to remove impurities and dead cells from the skin surface and to stimulate skin regeneration and renewal. It used to be a salon-only treatment, but today cosmetic manufacturers offer a variety of at-home chemical peel solutions. To ensure that your at-home chemical peel treatment goes off without a hitch, you need to know how to prepare your skin for a chemical peel.
Chemical exfoliation is considered one of the most effective and at the same time least traumatic skin exfoliation methods. Active ingredients contained in chemical peels (alpha or beta hydroxy acids, retinoic acid, croton oil) dissolve grime and excess skin oil, as well as help to slough off dead skin cells, revealing healthy and glowing skin. In addition, chemical peels improve microcirculation and boost the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. As a result, they help to eliminate skin imperfections, give a healthy complexion, boost the skin’s elasticity and firmness, and make it soft and smooth.
As we’ve already mentioned above, chemical peels owe their effect to thoroughly selected and well-balanced organic acids and other active ingredients. The higher the concentration of such ingredients, the deeper a peel and, consequently, the more complications can arise if it isn’t administered properly. Chemical peels designed for at-home use have a lower concentration of active ingredients than professional strength peels, but you still need to prepare your skin for the procedure in order to reduce the risk of complications.
The main tasks of a pre-chemical peel treatment are to weaken the skin’s natural protective barrier in order to increase the efficiency of exfoliation, to reduce the synthesis of melanin, and to trigger regenerative mechanisms in the epidermis. If you prepare your skin for a chemical peel in the right way, the peel solution will evenly penetrate the skin structure, which makes the procedure more efficient. In addition, proper preparation reduces the risk of age spots, allows to use a lower-concentration peel solution and reduce exposure time, and shortens the recovery period.
Ideally, you should start preparing your skin for a chemical peel about a month before the treatment, especially if it is going to be your first at-home chemical peel ever. The deeper the peel, the longer it takes to prepare your skin for it; for example, you’ll need at least a week to prepare your skin for a low-concentration peel (two weeks minimum if you have sensitive skin).
During the preparatory period, you should first and foremost abstain from swimming in the pool, tanning naturally or in a sunbed, and using a sauna, as well as protect your skin from direct sunlight by using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
If you have acne or another inflammatory skin condition, be sure to treat the inflammation before getting a chemical peel, since the peel solution will damage inflamed skin. If you have cold sores, you absolutely must not get a chemical peel treatment until you get your herpes under control.
Do not use mechanical exfoliants (scrubs, sponges, loofahs, or other abrasives) at least a week before the procedure. However, you are allowed to use certain skin lightening products that suppress melanin synthesis in the skin.
To let your skin gradually get used to organic acids, you can use special products with a low concentration of acids (less than 5%). They come in different forms, for example, creams, serums, facial cleansers, or special pre-chemical peel gels and lotions with an acidic pH.
It is also very important to conduct a skin sensitivity test before applying the peel solution all over your face. Apply a drop or two of the chosen peel solution to your wrist or forearm and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. If there are no negative reactions (such as skin redness, itching or burning), the solution is safe to use. Of course, if you experience severe itching or burning before 15 minutes are up, you should rinse the solution immediately with plenty of water.
The success of a chemical peel treatment strongly depends on how well you prepare your skin, so you’d better not neglect the preparation, Of course, the choice of a chemical peel solution matters as well, because a too strong or poor-quality product that doesn’t suit your skin type or needs will negate all the efforts you’ve put into preparing your skin and keep you from achieving the desired result (not to mention that it can cause a severe allergic reaction or damage your skin).
In our online shop Organic Store, you can find a wide range of products for at-home chemical peel treatments produced by Cocos, a skincare brand based in Ukraine. Cocos offers a collection of chemical peels with various acid concentrations and pH levels, as well as chemical peel neutralisers and pre- and post-chemical peel products.
All Cocos chemical peels have a carefully balanced composition and are buffered with amphoteric amino acids, which makes them really safe for the skin, and the brand’s pre- and post-peel products will take good care of your skin and minimise the risk of complications. At Organic Store, we offer a great selection of Cocos products at reasonable prices, quick order processing, secure and convenient payment methods, and international delivery to most parts of the world.