GKAY specializes in chemical peels. Our chemical peels are NOT regular facials or regular peels.
Our chemical peels are mostly customized to your skin type. They are
very strong, even the Light Chemical Peel. They are comparable if not
better than the ones you get at the dermatologist office as we adapt them to
your skin and you pay a lot less!
We encourage you to read the
information on this page for better results.
Prior to any
chemical treatment and for best results, it is best to avoid the following
one week before the treatment: electrolysis, waxing, any
exfoliating products (including loofah and scrubs), any products containing
alpha or beta hydroxy acids (ie glycolic, salycilic or similar), Retin-A, Renova,
Differin, Tarzorac, and other similar retinoids. Refrain from the following 14 days
prior to peel: chemical peel, tanning in a booth or the sun, wax, collagen
injections, Botox, microdermabrasion, plastic surgery procedures, and cold
sores. All AccutaneŽ users must have discontinued the drug for six full
weeks prior to this peel. Also, if you are pregnant or lactating, you cannot
have a chemical peel. Best not to be on any antibiotics either, because your skin will be
more sensitive.
Questions and Answers About Chemical Peels:
Q. What type of skin is the
chemical peel okay for?
A. Our chemical peels are okay for Rosacea, acne, sun damage, fine lines, dry
and unevenly pigmented skin. They are okay for white skin, brown skin and
black skin (depending on the type we choose).
Q. Why are chemical peels
good?
A. Chemical peel treatments cause the regeneration of new cells to occur at
a faster rate than they would do naturally. Natural skin turnover follows
our 28-day biological calendar like other body cycles. The speed of the cell
turnover cycle decreases as we age. Collagen and elastin, which comprise a
large part of our skin's support structure, also decreases. Keep in mind,
however, that achieving healthy skin depends on other factors such as diet,
smoking, stress, as well as a healthy skin maintenance program at home in
conjunction with monthly facial treatments.
Q. What will happen the
day of the chemical peel?
A. You will get a consultation, followed by the procedure. You will NOT be
able to wash your face after the procedure or apply makeup. It is best to
go home right after. Usually you look the same right after.
Chemical peels are NOT
regular facials or regular peels. We do not perform ANY extractions,
steaming, or massage with any of the chemical peel treatments. Prior to any
chemical treatment and for best results, it is best to avoid the following
one week before the treatment: electrolysis, waxing, any
exfoliating products (including loofah and scrubs), any products containing
alpha or beta hydroxy acids (ie glycolic, salycilic or similar), Retin-A, Renova,
Differin, Tarzorac, and other similar retinoids. Refrain from the following 14 days
prior to peel: chemical peel, tanning in a booth or the sun, wax, laser hair
removal, collagen injections, Botox, microdermabrasion, electric skin brush,
plastic surgery procedures, and cold sores. All AccutaneŽ users must have
discontinued the drug for six full weeks prior to this peel. Also, if you
are pregnant or lactating, you cannot have a chemical peel. Best not to be on any antibiotics
either, because your skin will be more sensitive.
Q. What will happen the
next day after the chemical peel?
A. Some people get slightly red or brown depending on the skin color. Like
a fabulous suntan. (NOT LIKE A TOMATO!) And some people do not flush at
all. It depends on your type of skin.
Q. How much downtime is
expected with this peel?
A. There is no downtime. But you need one week for full skin recovery.
Directly after the chemical peel, you cannot wash your face or apply any
makeup. A few days later the skin will start to peel. Some people may peel
a lot and some people may peel less. The peeling is not always even on the
skin. DO NOT PULL ON HANGING SKIN once you start peeling because this may
cause hyperpigmentation (brown spots).
Q. When will I start
"peeling", for how long and how much?
A. Everyone's experience will be different. However, on average, you will
see flaking by day 2 or 3 following treatment. It is possible to see flaking
for up to 5 or 6 days.
Q. Should I expect any
discomfort when having a peel?
A. It will vary. You may experience a "warm" feeling, as well as a mild
tingling or stinging, which only lasts for a few moments.
Q. My skin is very thin.
Why would I want to peel? Wouldn't that make my skin thinner?
A. If your skin is very dry and thin, often there is a buildup of dead cells
that actually keeps your home care products from penetrating. Having a peel
will remove that surface build-up, hydrate the skin and give it a more
plump, "thicker" appearance.
Q. Can pregnant or
lactating women receive a peel?
A. No.
Q. What ingredients are in
the chemical peel?
A. It depends on the person's skin and whatever we choose such as TCA, and
AHAs, and/or Jessner or some other ingredients. We also have customized
chemical peels and a Light Phenol Mixture suited for mature light skin.
Q. How soon can I do
another chemical peel?
A. You must wait at least 6 weeks before the next one. The Light Phenol
Mixture chemical peel should be done once every 4 to 6 months (depending on
the skin condition).
Do not put makeup. Do not wash your face until the NEXT
morning (unless you have been told otherwise). THE NEXT DAY after a chemical peel - you must wash your face WITH a
gentle cleanser. You may proceed with makeup if you choose and sunscreen. The
day after the chemical peel and several days afterwards, the skin will feel
tight and "pulled", raw and itchy. All this is normal. With some people, the
skin may darken a bit - either a reddish color or a brownish color. During the
day, it is best to hydrate the skin well with a moisturizer or 100% Hyaluronic
Acid. At night, you may use Vaseline (pure petroleum only), emu oil or a
special ointment to soothe the skin and calm down the itchiness and redness for
up to a week. Your skin will start to peel, 2 to 3 days after. Everyone peels
differently. Once you start to peel you may use a scrub. The best scrub is one
with little or non-existent grains and with ENZYMES like papaya and pineapple
extracts. You may use the
scrub once a day every morning INSTEAD of a cleanser. The easiest is to use it
in the shower. Do not rub the skin. Simply apply, wait a few minutes and then
wash it off. It will help get rid of the flakiness. If you do not wish to peel
during the day, we found that the best thing for hydration and "holding off" the
skin from peeling visibly is 100% Hyaluronic acid under a moisturizer.
PLEASE NOTE: Your skin may look
darker in different spots and uneven after the chemical peel. Depending on your
skin color, it may look either brown or red. THIS IS NORMAL. It is part of the
process. It will lighten eventually but may stay that way for up to two weeks.
Your skin will continue to flake for a week as well (and sometimes up to two
weeks if we do a strong one)!
For the
next 2 days, do NOT: use
Jacuzzi, steam room or sauna, go swimming, participate in activities that make
you perspire like the gym, use Buff Puff or other mechanical exfoliation.
Use of a sunblock is mandatory. Sunblock will help prevent
and slowly fade pigmentation problems. You may or may not experience
visible peeling. Every skin is different and we cannot predict your
skin. Dead cells are usually dissolved during the procedure, though minor
dryness and mild flaking can follow this procedure.
For the next 3 weeks: Avoid direct sun exposure
and excessive heat. Do not go tanning for at least 3 weeks.
For the next 7 days:
Do not get electrolysis, collagen injections, Botox, depilatories
and facial waxing. Discontinue use of Retin-A/Renova/Differin or any other
tretinoin products for 7 days. Do not use scrubs, glycolic acid,
salicylic acid, retinoids, other AHAs, skin lighteners, wax, or strong
astringents for a full five (7) days. Avoid the sun and apply
sunblock for the rest of the day. It is your responsibility to use sunblock
at all times when outdoors while undergoing peels in order to avoid brown spots.
At bedtime, use only a cleanser, toner and moisturizer.
But after all of this, it is worth it! Your skin will look
great!
