How to Get a Professional-Grade Chemical Peel Right at Home
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The beauty of getting a chemical peel is that they literally give your skin a fresh start.
By banishing breakouts, scarring, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, it can feel like starting anew on a clean slate. And while yes, there are treatments you can do on your own at home, nothing beats a professional-grade peel you can only get at the dermatologist or plastic surgeon's office.
However, with quarantine mandates changing by the minute and cosmetic procedures surging in popularity in recent months, making a trip to see your doctor isn't so easy anymore.
Luckily, there's still a way to get an in-office peel without having to leave your house.
Dr. Kevin Tehrani, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Aristocrat Plastic Surgery and MedAesthetics, spoke with InStyle to explain exactly how his new Contact-Less Chemical Peel system works.
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Is It Actually Safe to Do a Chemical Peel At Home?
If you have the right guidance and supervision, the answer is yes.
For the Contact-Less Chemical Peel, patients start off with a virtual consultation with a medspa techician to make sure they're a candidate for the treatment.
However, if you are on certain medications, Dr. Tehrani does not recommend using the peel — or any others. "All peels are not recommended for patients who are on Accutane," he explains. "[In order to use it, they] must have stopped using Accutane for a minimum of six months."
Once your consultation has been completed, patients receive a personalized peel in the mail to later be used under the virtual supervision of a medical professional.
What Ingredients Are in the Chemical Peel and How Exactly Does It Work?
"The VI Peel works by using a combination of acids such as TCA, treinoic, salicylic, phenol, and vitamin C to dissolve the intercellular 'glue' that holds on the top layers of skin," says Dr. Tehrani. "This causes it [the skin] to peel, in turn stimulating new cell and collagen growth."
The MD shares that it's safe for all skin types to use, including those with sensitive skin.
I Have a Range of Skin Issues I Want to Address, What Does the Peel Treat?
According to Dr. Tehrani, his peels help to treat a wide range of skin ailments, including hyperpigmentation, signs of aging, sun damage, acne, and the appearance of large pores. It will also improve skin tone and texture.
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What Can I Expect After Doing the At-Home Chemical Peel?
"After the application of the peel, the patient will start to peel on day three and will continue to peel for four to five days," the Dr. Tehrani says. "Patients will see results within the first two weeks after the peel."
In terms of aftercare, make sure to stick to using gentle cleansers and rich moisturizers. You should also try to avoid sun exposure as much as possible, so wearing SPF is a must (as always).
And while it's going to be tempting to pick at the dead skin peeling off your face, it's important to never give in. Instead, let the skin slough off on its own for the rest results.
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