Lunchtime Treatment: Process Explained

Have you noticed that some of the most gorgeous celebs — like Jennifer Lopez, Halle, Berry and Jennifer Aniston — have all achieved “over the hill” status, but yet the glow of theirskin can still make college boys drool? Surprisingly, it’s not plastic surgery credited for their youthfulness, but a long history of proactive pampering like religiously exfoliating their faces starting in their 20s, according to Tinsel Town dermatologists. But, before you go scrubbing your skin raw in hopes of reviving your youthful look, you may want to consider the 20-minute miracle treatment chemical peels can offer.

How Chemical Peel Treatments Work

Chemical peels, ranked as the third most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure in 2011, do not make you shed like a snake despite its name. Instead, the solution that is slathered on your skin helps remove surface layers of cells to expose smoother, more radiant skin with minimal skin irritation and minimal downtime.

Used to improve skin imperfections such as acne, acne scars, wrinkles, freckles, sun damage and even scars, the treatment exfoliates layers of the skin based on the level of chemical peel used. “Another benefit of using chemical peels is that they can be used not only on the face, but on the chest and back as well,” explains Dr. Eric F. Bernstein, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Medical Director at the Mainline Cosmetic Laser Center, which explains why A-listers who have all been rumored to dip into the chemical peel trend like Kim Cattrall, Robert Downey Jr., and Demi Moore seem to ooze sex appeal from their heads down to their sexy backs.

Rejuvenate Your Face

While your girlfriends may not let you in on their secret source of the Fountain of Youth, your dermatologist is happy to lend a hand. The most common types of chemical peels used are Trichloracetic acid (TCA), Phenol peels and alpha hydroxy acids (ACA), which are applied after your skin is cleansed. Then, a neutralizer is daubed over the acid solution, causing bubbles on your skin as you fantasize about how jealous your partner’s ex is going to be the next time you cross paths.

Depending on the variation of chemical peel – light medium or deep – the treatment can last up to 20 minutes. “I often use chemical peels to augment almost any other treatment I perform as it is a good way to remove the dead skin cells and improve the efficacy of other treatments,” shares Dr. Bernstein. But, the biggest appeal of this cosmetic procedure may be that there is little to no discomfort associated with chemical peels. TCA and Phenol peels act as an anesthetic so there is minimum discomfort for those weak in the knees. And, ACA peels are milder than TCA or Phenol peels, however, can cause a slight stinging sensation during treatment.

Short Recover Time

When you indulge in this cosmetic procedure, recovery time can vary from little to no downtime to a few days worth of minor peeling to a week of pink or redness to your skin. Deeper peels cause redness that can last for more than a week, while lighter peels such as AHA or glycolic acid peels can be done undetected even on your lunch break.

While chemical peels are generally mild to your skin, be sure to tell someone if you’re using Retin-A or glycolic acid cream because these cosmetic products can make peels more strong or your skin more sensitive. This time-reversing treatment should help you age gracefully, not look like a bad science experiment. Because in a world filled with hot celebrities, you shouldn’t have to quit your day job and order headshots to score that same rockin’ look.