Preparing your skin for peel season is one of the best ways to maximize the results of a chemical peel series. I always recommend that my clients get 2-3 peels during the season depending on what areas we are focusing on. Most commonly discoloration, age spots and sun damage and fine lines and wrinkles are the key issues that I am working with my clients to correct. To prep for these corrective peels I always recommend that my patients use products that start to lighten and brighten the skin as well as kickstart the cellular turnover of the skin.
The first product I recommend especially to my sun damaged and patients with complaints of discoloration and pigmentation is Clinicians Complex 6% Bleaching Cream. Don’t be afraid of the name of this product because it does not contain bleach and is safe to use on the darkest of skin tones. This product is great for removing sun spots, age spots, freckles, pigmented scars, and melasma.The Cream actually contains a blend of three scientifically proven skin lightening ingredients.
Hydroquinone is known to lighten age spots, brown spots, melasma and other skin discolorations or pigmentation.
Kojic acid dipalmate has the ability to reduce the activity of tyrosinase in the human skin inhibiting the formation of melanin.
Arbutin is an advancement in skin lightening agents and inhibits tyrosinase production in the skin and also converts itself into hydroquinone upon contact with the skin.
This product will also inhibit future pigmentation and protect the skin with Vitamins C and E and a combination of fruit extracts that naturally exfoliate and allow the delivery of the brightening agents deeper into the skin.
The second product that I recommend that my patients use to pre-condition their skin is a night-time topical Vitamin A product from PCA Skincare Intensive Brightening Treatment. This product is specifically formulated for discoloration but Vitamin A or retinol products can benefit any and every skin type. This advanced pure nighttime retinol treatment carries a unique blend of ingredients deeper into the skin for superior results. It reduces signs of discoloration, brightens and smoothes with the combination of three powerful ingredients.
Retinol (vitamin A) – vitamin A helps promote a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Resveratrol – a strong antioxidant that encourages a bright, even skin tone.
Hexylresorcinol – promotes an even skin tone and reduces inflammation that can lead to discoloration.
I recommend starting these products prior to getting any chemical peels done. The timeline of starting these depends on the fitzpatrick (or skin tone color) of each client. For darker skin tones I recommend 6-8 weeks of use and 4-6 for lighter skin tones using both products. It is important to wear a broad spectrum SPF during the day when using both of these products since retinol and hydroquinone are sun sensitizing.
Quick Tips:
Darker Skin tones will require 3-4 peels to correct pigmentation or damage and 6-8 weeks of preconditioning.
Pre-Condition with:
PCA Skincare Intensive Brightening Treatment and
Clinicians Complex 6% bleaching cream
Lighter Skin tones will require 2-3 peels depending on the amount and intensity of the discoloration and 4-6 weeks of preconditioning
Pre-Condition with:
PCA Skincare Intensive Brightening Treatment and
Clinicians Complex 6% bleaching cream