A Guide to Chemical Peels

Chemical  peel  is  used  to  improve  the  appearance of the skin. A chemical solution  is  applied  to  the skin that causes it to "blister" and eventually peel off. Fine  lines and wrinkles can  often be reduced or even eliminated with this procedure. Skin blotches like sunspots, age spots and freckles can be minimized. Mild scarring, certain  types of acne, and dull skin can be improved by chemical peels.

The more common types of chemical peels are:

1) Glycolic acid peel - This produces superficial peeling and may require multiple sessions, with option to use increasing concentrations at 20%, 30%, and 40%. It improves skin texture, reduces fine lines and mild scarring, and helps prevent acne breakouts.  It is also used to enhance penetration of other skin actives for lightening and anti-aging.

2) Salicylic acid peel – Studies show that salicylic acid has the ability to get deeper into the pore than glycolic acid. It is now the preferred peel in controlling oil production, and in preventing formation of blackheads and whiteheads. In general, salicylic acid does not produce as deep a peel as a similar concentration of glycolic acid.

3) Jessner's peel – Dr. Max Jessner combined 14% salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol in an ethanol base for a very mild acid combination that is often applied right before a deeper peel to “open up the skin.”

4) Retinoic acid peel - This is a deeper peel than salicylic acid peel and is usually performed in conjunction with a Jessner. The client leaves with the solution on their face. The peeling takes place on the 3rd day onwards. Expect dramatic improvements with multiple peels over time with scars, wrinkles and pigmentation problems.

5) Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel – This can produce intermediate to deep peeling in concentrations ranging from 20-35%. Depth of penetration is increased as concentration increases. Concentrations higher than 35% are not recommended because of the high risk of scarring.  TCA peel can smooth out fine wrinkles and remove superficial blemishes. Skin will take several days to heal depending on the peel depth. Repeat treatments are usually required.

6) Phenol peel – This carbolic acid peel is the strongest which produces dramatic improvement with just a single treatment. However, phenol peels may pose high risks in darker skinned patients and may result in permanent uneven skin tone.

After any kind of chemical peel, it is important to avoid prolonged sun exposure and to always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, like DERMAX UV MILK since the new skin is susceptible to complications. The dermatologist will prescribe other post treatment care to reduce the tendency to develop abnormal skin color after peeling.

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This was published in the April 9, 2013 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author, Fred C. Reyes, is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.

THE MYTH ON LARGE SKIN PORES

THE MYTH ON LARGE SKIN PORES

Pores are the skin openings of hair follicles, and the channel for the skin’s natural oil to reach the surface. Because their size is determined by genetics, pores cannot be made smaller, no matter what the cosmetic advertisements tell you.

Likewise, hot towels and hot showers followed by cold towels and cold showers do not open and close pores. Pores have no muscles to support the claim that they can be made to open and close. Well, there is no harm in this “hot-cold” theory if it makes you feel good.

Certain conditions may make pores appear larger. Blackheads and whiteheads, for example, may temporarily stretch the oil ducts on the nose, cheeks, and chin and make pores appear to be larger. Repeated squeezing of blackheads and pimples may lead to tiny, pitted scarring, which could result in permanently widened pores. It is best that we leave the extraction to the professionals.

Facial astringents with alcohol, as well as facial masks can produce temporary shrinking effect. Pinching or gently slapping the cheeks to make them pink has a similar, temporary pore-shrinking effect. The astringent or mask or the slapping causes irritation of the skin and swelling around the pore, thus making the opening appear smaller. Any shrinkage, however, is insignificant and short-lived. 

While there is no way you can shrink pores permanently, you can prevent pores from getting larger by following this simple step: Cleanse your face two to three times daily with an exfoliant soap like DERMAX AcneX  transparent soap to keep pores open and prevent build up of dead skin cells around and inside the pores.

AcneX exfoliant soap is part of the DERMAX Professional product line of SkinStation  The advanced soap formula has double encapsulated salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid recognized by experts as the best exfoliant that has the ability to work around and inside the pores. When pores get clogged with dead skin cells, the skin’s natural oils get trapped and form blackheads and whiteheads. This will not only cause enlargement of the pores but will likely degenerate to the more serious episode of acne breakouts.

Read also:
How AcneX Soap Was Developed

This was published in the March 26, 2013 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author , Fred C. Reyes, received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He is the CEO of SkinStation and can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph. 

WHY YOUR SKIN NEEDS CoQ10

Why Your Skin Needs CoQ10

Very few of us know about Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), sometimes called Vitamin Q. Yet, its value for general health and nutrition is rather well researched. What is so special about CoQ10? Produced by the human body, CoQ10 is essential in cellular energy production and antioxidant protection.

There are 3 benefits for your skin from CoQ10:

1. It energizes your skin. Young skin has lots of energy – energy needed to repair and keep skin cells healthy. CoQ10 plays a vital role in the delivery of cellular energy. Without it, our cells would not function properly.

2. It rejuvenates skin by stimulating collagen production. Collagen is the “spring” that gives volume and firmness to skin. When there is less collagen, your skin looks aged, loose, and wrinkled. You can boost your collagen producing activity with CoQ10.

3. It protects against free radicals that cause “rusting” in our body.  When metals oxidize, we call it rusting. When humans oxidize, we call it aging. Oxidation is caused by highly reactive oxygen species called free radicals. UV rays of the sun, pollution, smoking, and toxins produce free radicals. CoQ10 is considered the king of antioxidants, highly potent against free radicals.

Unfortunately, as you age your body produces less and less of CoQ10. As a result, cells lose their energy and capacity to repair, rejuvenate and protect.

What can be done about declining CoQ10 in your body? You can use supplements – both internally as capsules and also on the skin in the form of lotion and serum. CoQ10 is the main ingredient in DERMAX NanoQ, a premium anti-aging lotion that promotes skin repair and regeneration. It rejuvenates the skin by boosting collagen production and enhancing the cell’s energy efficiency.

It is important that CoQ10 retains its activity when used either as a supplement or as a topical product. CoQ10,  just like vitamin C and other reactive antioxidants, is easily inactivated by oxygen from the air.  We got around this problem by using advanced nano-encapsulation technology to ensure freshness and efficacy of CoQ10 in DERMAX NanoQ lotion. 

The cellular repair moisturizing lotion helps strengthen and smoothen depleted, dull skin. Aside from CoQ10, skin-nurturing moisturizers combined with exfoliating retinol, and nourishing vitamins A, C, & E restore skin cell vitality. It penetrates fast, is non-greasy and has a natural calendula fresh scent. Make sure you supplement your skin daily with DERMAX NanoQ lotion so you can look and feel younger longer.    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

This was published in the March 5, 2013 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author , Fred C. Reyes, is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.