If you are someone that is thinking about taking the first steps towards transforming your skin, fall and winter are the best time to do it.
Even though you can do skin procedures year round, there’s less on your plate if you’re doing it in the cooler months when it comes to pre and post-procedure care. In my world, September 7th marks the first day of peel season!
Knowing that, you probably won’t be surprised that chemical peels and enzyme exfoliation are my favorite treatments for the fall and winter! It’s also important to note that pre and post-care is still really important when doing any skin treatment but definitely when it comes to those two treatments since they are more aggressive.
How Do Chemical Peels Work? Are Chemical Peels for Everyone?
I love chemical peels for so many reasons, they really help to exfoliate the skin, lift pigment, kill acne bacteria, refine acne scarring, you name it. Peels are a little more aggressive and go deeper into the dermis to create more of a controlled wound.
Chemical peels are used for people who have deeper skin concerns and are looking to dramatically change their skin. The solution is used to remove the outermost layers of skin to improve texture, scarring, acne, and slow the appearance of aging skin.
Favorite Alternatives To Chemical Peels
If I have a client who doesn’t want to jump straight into a chemical peel, I may recommend an enzyme exfoliation treatment. Enzyme exfoliation treatments are a great alternative option for someone that’s a little weary of doing a deep treatment. With an enzyme exfoliation treatment, the enzymes are really going to work on the surface of the skin, even though it’s not as aggressive, you still will see results with enzymes.
Enzymes work to specifically break down the keratin protein on the skin and have anti-inflammatory properties to balance your skins pH and bring it back to life. Enzyme treatments are for all skin types, especially our on-the-go clients who are looking for a quick fix for surface skin concerns.
How Do You Know If A Chemical Peel or Enzyme Exfoliation Treatment Is Better For You?
By the time you come into Enlightened Beauty, I would say 90% of my clients need peels. The reason for that is because we want results and we want them as fast as we can get them while keeping the health and integrity of the skin at the forefront. In my experience, peels are really the best and fastest way to get results.
Even if you don’t have a skin condition that you are trying to change, chemical peels are still amazing for anti-aging, rebuilding collagen and elastin, because of course, no matter who we are, we all want to age with grace.
On the other hand, enzyme exfoliation treatments are really good if you’re doing a treatment in-between your regular chemical peels or maybe you have an event coming up and you don’t want as much downtime as a chemical peel brings. I steer my clients towards enzyme treatments in those two scenarios.
An enzyme might be a good alternative if you have very reactive and sensitized skin. You can have a spectrum of enzymes that can range from little less aggressive to more aggressive, so having those options are great if you have a client with a compromised barrier and we can’t do anything more aggressive and intense like a chemical peel.
Additionally, some clients are nervous about peels so if you are hesitant, we can start you with an enzyme treatment versus peel right away so you can dip your toe in the water and know what you’re getting into before throwing you into a full peel.
At the end of the day, everyone’s skin is different. At Enlightened Beauty, we create custom tailored plans for your skin in its current state and your long term skin goals.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
