Chemical peels are recommended
in the treatment of juvenile and adult acne
Chemical Peels
and the "Superpeel"
Over the years,
Dr.Mash has developed a special version of the lunch-time peel,
a clinically proven procedure
which treats aging
and acne skin with no "downtime", called the
"Superpeel". It includes a microdermabra-sion,
explained in a separate brochure, and application of one
or two chemical peels, the efficacy of which which is
described here in question-and-answer format.
Superpeels are
generally performed at monthly intervals for the best results.
Post-treatment, only
gentle cleansers and moisturizers should be
used until the skin normalizes. A sunblock must be
used daily and re-applied frequently when outdoors.
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Q: Do chemical peels
strip or thin the skin?
A: No. On the
contrary; the use of chemical peels encourages the
turnover and production of new cell growth through
collagen synthesis and exfoliation. Combined with regular
applications of tretinoin, they are of vital importance in building and
maintaining optimal skin integrity.
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Q: What products should
I use on a daily basis?
A:
Tretinoin (Retin-A) is recommended as a daily topical
supplement to our anti-aging and anti-acne chemical peel treatments.
It is an additive (along with glycolic acid) in Dr.
Mash's Miracle Mix, (a.k.a. Glytone Essentials With Additives) which
we suggest for nightly use.
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The search
for loveliness, and its retention, is as old as the hills where we
first obtained cosmetic clays, where we grew the fruit
and foods which gave us the exfoliating acids we
have used in the pursuit of health and beauty since
ancient times. I tell you this in the spirit of continuing the
tradition.
Q:
What is a "Chemical Peel"?
A: A chemical peel is a moderate skin
resurfacing treatment in which regular applications of
natural alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) promote
dermal repair to help control the signs of
aging and acne.
In addition, the AHA releases epidermal cells
from the cellular matrix, resulting in mild exfoliation a few days
after treatment. Your skin is left clearer and smoother, and
subsequent procedures (laser treatments, for example,
or acne medications) can address your skin
issues more effectively.
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 Q:
Can you be more specific regarding the acids used
in chemical peels?
A: We use different
strengths of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) for our chemical peels.
AHAs are naturally occurring acids found in many foods, and include
glycolic, lactic, malic, citric, and tartaric acids.
Glycolic acid is
present in sugar cane, lactic acid in sour milk, citric acid in
citrus fruit, malic acid in apples, and tartaric acid in
grapes. Early cultures used remedies such as sour milk baths
and stale wine applications to smooth the skin because of their
lactic and tartaric acid content, respectively. Their use may
have been either cosmetic, medicinal, or both.
Salicylic acid (a
beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is present in aspirin and functions
similarly to the AHAs.
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Q: How will
AHA chemical peels improve my skin?
A: AHAs
have a small molecular structure which facilitates
penetration of the dermal layers where they detach
keratinized cells from the cellular matrix. The released
cells are sloughed away a few days following the
treatment leaving your face looking clearer and smoother. Gradually,
brown spots and fine wrinkles are reduced.
The exact mechanism
of AHAs in improving wrinkles is unknown. They
may enhance the synthesis of intercellular substances or
collagen, but the final effect
is that better-quality collagen is induced in the
papillary dermis, resulting in a gradual improvement in
the integrity and appearance of the skin.
70% glycolic acid
is the AHA with the smallest molecular structure, providing the
best penetration and results. If you use AHA and
tretinoin products daily and arrange to receive chemical
peels monthly, we can gradually increase the
strength of the AHA for improved results.. All skin types I to VI
are treated successfully. Complications are rare.
Q:
Will insurance cover chemical peels?
A: Some but not all insurance
companies may cover chemical peels and extractions if the
patient has been diagnosed with and is being treated for active
acne. Please call Lynda Geyer for a free consultation at
610 277-2663 Monday through Thursday.
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A: Tretinoin
is a trans-retinoic acid formulated
in
prescription creams and gels such as
RetinA and Ziana. It has much the same effect on
collagen as AHA, but uses a different chemical
mechanism.
Tretinoin has been
clinically demonstrated to strengthen the skin at the cellular
level by producing new collagen synthesis, reducing lines, actinic
keratoses and pigmentary changes, when used for more than six
months.
The use of tretinoin
prior to chemical peels and other facial treatments has been
clinically proven to improve results and healing time,
and may prolong the results
of these procedures. Chemical Peels are appropriate for both men and women and all skin types..
Please
telephone 610 277-2663 for a complimentary
consultation.
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