Walk into most dermatologist’s offices and you’ll see all kinds of leaflets and ads for various peels … which always leaves me wondering “Do you need a facial peel?” Dermatologists almost all agree that a good peel is a way to go if you want to reverse sun damage and dramatically improve the texture of your skin. Sure, there are all kinds of laser peels, but they have some serious downsides:
1. The expense!!
2. The downtime.
3. They can make your skin look better in the short term, but look at someone who has had a dramatic peel two or so years later! These kinds of peels actually thin your skin, which is way worse in the long term.
I thought it best to go to a trusted source to get a little more info on the kinds of peels we can do at home. Having done a ton of research myself, I came across Sunshine Botanicals’ Pumpkin Power Peel System and found it to be one of the best. This Power Peel received the “Beauty With a Conscience Award” from Natural Solutions Magazine twice. Emily Fritchey, founder, and CEO of Sunshine Botanicals has a cutting-edge approach to dramatic skin transformation and is a respected trendsetter among her peers in the field of aesthetics, plastic surgery, and dermatology. She is also an award-winning product formulator and expert in the development of botanical skin treatments. She answered a few pressing questions that I had – ones that will hopefully enlighten us all.
S.U. Why do we need to use peels on our skin?
E.F Skin peels can be a very effective way to refine skin texture and minimize discoloration and sun damage. They can also produce a gentle, controlled shedding of dead surface layers of skin which allows healthy, smoother new layers of skin to be revealed, restoring a natural glow to the skin. Peels are effective for men and women of any skin type, age or color, however it is important to note that sensitive, highly reactive skin types should avoid using peels.
S.U. At what age should a woman start a peel regimen?
Age is not the issue here, skin texture and condition is. Peels should be used as a corrective treatment to help clear, correct and refine skin damaged by the sun or acne skin conditions. Peels are recommended for lines and wrinkles, large pores, coarse texture, age spots and blackheads. A real “power tool” to dramatically amplify your daily skin care regimen.
S.U. Will a peel make my skin super-sensitive to the sun?
E.F.They can – it depends on what type of peel you are referring to. Light, progressive skin peels are not as sensitizing as the deeper, more aggressive treatments are, however, it is important to understand that if you choose to use peels for their anti-aging effects, you must also be willing to protect tender, new skin from direct hits from the sun. Use a healthy sun block daily if you want to get the maximum benefit from a skin peel treatment and halt daily environmental assault.
S.U: I’ve heard that many of the peels sold in dermatologist’s offices (like the V-Peel) contain harsh and toxic chemicals. Can you speak to this?
E. F. Yes – there are a wide variety of skin peeling acids available a skin care professional, and it is up to the consumer to do their due diligence and understand the skin peels they are considering prior to treatment. Many peel treatments have been given specific names for marketing purposes, (such as the V peel) and the actual ingredients can be hard to find. You have to ask your doctor or skin care specialist for a data sheet and/or MSDS sheet on any given peel to understand the potential for toxicity. Some chemicals can be absorbed into the blood stream and are highly toxic to the liver, such as resorcinol, an ingredient used in may deeper peel solutions. Safe options are available, however it is up to the consumer to be informed!
S.U. What are the benefits of using a chemical peel that actually peel of layers of your skin, as opposed to a natural fruit peel like yours?
The difference is simply this:
Whether you choose a deep skin peel (done in-office by a skin care specialist) or a lighter, more progressive peel like our Pumpkin Power Peel depends entirely on what you treatment goals and objectives are. For example, if you have melasma, cystic acne, deep wrinkles or scar tissue, then deeper peels are necessary to address this degree of skin damage. On the other hand, if your needs are not as intense, and you want to correct fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, large pores, or environmental/sun damage, then this lighter peel can work wonders without the down time that comes with deep peels. Our Pumpkin Power Peel contains high levels of beta-carotene (natural vitamin A), making this not only an effective resurfacing ingredient, but also a potent antioxidant treatment, making it ideal for most all skin types and conditions. Used once or twice a week, this enzyme rich peel is perfect. That said, do not underestimate the power of this healthy, natural product….it is strong, and very effective. A great alternative to many more aggressive professional treatments. Remember, skin peels are beauty tools- just be sure you choose the right “tool” for the goals in mind. (i.e. ) Don’t use a bazooka to kill a fly 🙂
S.U. Finally, the marketing hype says that peels can reduce sun damage and even wrinkles – true or false?
True.! Peels RESURFACE SKIN TEXTURE, thus, they minimize wrinkles. Remember, all skin peels are NOT the same. Ingredients and acid solutions vary widely. Good ingredients in peel solutions are the key to real results…Ingredients are the key – Great ingredients such as beta carotene (natural vitamin A) also help suppress melanin and lighten the pigment. Our Pumpkin Power Peel also contains d-beta fructan, an ingredient similar to the polysaccharides found in aloe vera. This compound guides glucosamine into the cellular membranes, boosting the skin’s ability to retain moisture. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient and is a building block of collagen and elastin. So -as you can see, carefully compounded skin peels can definitely reduce the signs of aging and restore a youthful glow to the skin…