Smooth Skin

If you are like many women, you may have gotten a bit too much sun this summer, with the result being that your skin feels tough and looks a bit older than it does at other times of year. One of the newest ways to smooth and deflate skin is with a light peeling treatment. Light peels come in gel, powder, or cream form for use at home or in a skin care sa lon. I find that the formulas that are massaged off the skin the cream or the powder are preferable to the gel, which is lifted off of the skin in a film. These treatments help to re move the dead outer layer of skin gently but thoroughly. They should not be used at home if your skin is sensitive; a skin care expert should evaluate your skin first to see if it can take these treatments.

A light peeling treatment is not to be confused with a skin scrub or exfoliating cleanser containing rough particles. These scrubs are really intended for skin that tends to break out; they are meant for cleaning out pores and discouraging blackheads and whiteheads. While a peeling treatment sounds harsher, it is actually a gentler treatment than a scrub, as it removes dead cells only from the skin's outermost surface. A scrub, on the other hand, mechanically exfoliates the skin and goes beneath the outermost skin layer. A scrub can be used on the oily T zone of the face if you have acne prone skin but should not be used on active blemishes, as it can spread infection.

For those women with uneven pigmentation, extreme sun damage, or a dull, old looking complexion, there is also the option of a cosmetic deep peeling treatment done in a skin care salon. These treatments are not as harsh as dermabrasion, but may be risky if done by untrained persons. Before having a deep peeling treatment in a salon, ask the salon personnel how often they do such treatments and, if you wish, whether you can speak to other clients who have had the treatments done in the past. These treatments take six days to perform, during which time the skin will look a bit red, as if you were sunburned. The skin cannot be cleansed during this time, nor can makeup be applied. At the end of six days, the top four layers of skin will have been removed, leaving skin looking rejuvenated and renewed; the benefits often last up to a year, during which time your skin will look smoother and younger than usual, and makeup will go on more easily as well. The mixture used in my salon is a vegetable based formula with natural enzymes and a small amount of light chemical additives; I do not believe in totally chemical based formulas, as these can be more dan gerous.

Done properly, deep peeling treatments should not be painful. A light burning sensation during the five minutes after the solution is applied is all that should be felt. I recommend against such treatments if you are currently taking tetracycline or other antibiotics, or if you are being treated for a systemic disease (unless you get clearance from your physician first). For the first week after the treatment, the skin should be moisturized often and cleansed very gently. After a week, you can resume your usual skin care regimen.