Your questions

Peels

What are peels ?

Peel, from the verb “to peel”, consists of making the skin peel so that it rediscovers its youth. The peel technique will help make pigmentation fade, smooth out wrinkles, refine the skin’s texture, help restart the production of collagen and elastin and encourage the production of new cells: the new skin is better toned, smoother and more supple.

Peels can treat pigment spots, fine lines, small acne scars and loose skin. The different types of peels can be distinguished by how deeply they act, how concentrated the products are, the kind of substances used, the time they take to act and the number of layers applied.

The peeling is done in a program in 3 phases:

  1. J-15 – Preparing your skin with a home care program
  2. J0 – The peel in office
  3. J+1 à J+4 – Post-peel treatment to repair your skin

What are the different kinds of superficial peels ?

A superficial peel (also known as a gentle peel) with fruit acids gives your skin back its radiance.
Usually the active component of this kind of peel is glycolic acid (an AHA: alpha hydroxy acid), an important exfoliating agent.
Glycolic acid decreases the thickness of the skin’s stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the epidermis).
Depending on what is to be treated, it is combined with other active ingredients:

– pigment-altering active ingredients for pigmentation treatments.
– ingredients with keratolytic properties, for acne treatments.

For complementary treatment at home:
– powerful antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E): C25 Cream to optimize the peel action.
– gradual-dosage AHAs to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines and stimulate the skin’s processes: Stim Renew 8, Stim Renew 15 or Advanced C Cream.

In addition, ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is known for its revitalising and lightening properties and it prevents excessive formation of melanin: Daylight C20.
This kind of peel can be done all year round. Protection from the sun (at least SPF 30) is recommended: Sun Ceutic.

What are medium peels ?

Medium peels work on deeper layers, down to the dermis. Medium peels can give a sensation of heat when they are applied. The skin will feel tight over the following 48 hours and then, after about the 3rd day, it will exfoliate (peel).

What are deep peels ?

Deep peels work down to the deeper layers of the dermis. When the skin is very damaged, they can let you regain 10 years. Only expert doctors carry out this spectacular rejuvenation technique. Exopeel is a safe peel that has been used for 15 years in France.

Can peels be done to any kind of skin ?

Peels can be done on white or brown skins. However, medium peels should be avoided if your skin is black or very dark, since they can cause pigmentation rebounds.

What can be treated with peels ?

– Ageing of the skin

– Melasma and pregnancy spots

– Heliodermia

– Pigmentation problems (variations in skin colour)

– Acne and acne scars

– Blotchy complexion (tobacco and pollution)

– Smoothing the skin, fine lines and wrinkles, tightening the pores of the skin

Active ingredients

Does glycolic acid improve the skin's appearance ?

Since glycolic acid encourages skin exfoliation, it removes dead cells, makes the cell population more uniform and restarts collagen and elastin production. The skin is smoother and the complexion is clearer and brighter.

What skin problems can I treat with glycolic acid ?

– Dry skin, by restarting the hydration of the skin

– Acne-prone skin, by regulating the sebaceous function

– Loss of elasticity and ageing of the skin, by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin

– Hormonal pigmentation, by making melanin production uniform.

Other

Is sun exposure contraindicated for peels ?

The glycolic acid that is mainly used in peel agents does not increase sensitivity to the sun. Therefore the peel products can be used in summer. Since 80% of the ageing of the skin is caused by exposure to the sun, we recommend that you avoid over-exposure and protect yourself with sunscreen, especially after a peel.

Does the skin need to be prepared before a peel ?

However deep the peel, pre and post-peel treatments are essential to maximise the results.

Are there any contraindications for peels ?

– Facial herpes

– Medication for acne (retinoides)

– Skin allergies

– Pregnancy

– Rosacea

Are there any precautions to take before a peel ?

One week beforehand, we recommend that you stop the following:

– Epilation

– Electrolysis

– Using cutaneous retinoic products

– Using products that are irritants

– Men should avoid shaving in the two hours before the peel

What kind of side effects can peels have ?

They are very rare and only occur when the product has not been used properly, such as leaving the active ingredient working for too long. This may lead to widespread redness, which should disappear after a couple of days. Other reactions, mainly allergic, have rarely been observed. Generally, peels with fruit acids are safe.

After laser treatment for brown spots, can I go out in the sun after 15 days ?

For a month following treatment you must stay out of the sun. Over the next 2 to 3 months, you should apply sunscreen and depigmentation cream to avoid relapses. When the skin has a tendency to produce pigment spots, this tendency will remain. The pigment spots will usually reappear if you do not protect against this, no matter what treatment is used.

Can botulinum toxin be injected often and over extended periods of time ?

The product acts like a medicine for 4 to 5 months. It is therefore pointless to use it more often, since the body could get used to the treatment and not respond as well. Botulinum Toxin does not destroy the muscle, nor does it paralyse it definitely after repeated injections. Losing the habit of creasing the treated zones means that it can be injected less often, sometimes less than once a year, without wrinkles reappearing.