Elixxir™ Facial Peels

Types of Elixxir Peels

Superficial Peels

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These are the mildest and most popular form of peel treatment, leaving you feeling great immediately after the procedure. As they are very mild, to get the best effect, repeat treatments at a regular interval are preferable. Our experienced skin therapist will assess your skin under a Wood’s lamp and plan your treatment regime on your first visit. The peeling agents and vitamins utilised in our treatments are formulated to international medical gold standards, greatly reducing irritation and downtime associated with peels of the past.

We will tailor the layers of ingredients specifically designed to treat aging, sun-damage, uneven pigmentation and age spots, rosacea, inflamed, sensitive, acne & oily skin conditions.

Introduction Over time, factors such as sun damage, heredity, diet, and repetitive muscle movement contribute to the formation of lines and wrinkles in the face. Additionally, the development of pigmentation irregularities or acne scars can cause skin to lose its smooth, youthful appearance. Often performed on the face, neck, and hands, various types of chemical peels can reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, scars, and uneven pigmentation, as well as treat pre-cancerous skin lesions.

Superficial Peels Superficial peels are the mildest form of chemical peel treatment. Superficial peels are usually performed using alphahydroxy acids, and in some instances betahydroxy acids. Alphahydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids which include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and fruit acids, while betahydroxy acids include salicylic acid. You may be familiar with glycolic acid and salicylic acid, as they are often key ingredients in facial creams and astringents.

Although the concentration of acid may vary depending on the extent of treatment, the acids used to perform superficial peels are not as harsh as other chemical peels. In fact, low concentrations of alphahydroxy acids are often mixed with facial creams or washes that can be used as part of a daily facial care routine to maintain a youthful

Skin Damage & Wrinkle Formation The skin is composed of two layers know as the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis, or outer layer of the skin, acts as the skin's primary defence against the environment. As a result, these layers are damaged. The dermis, or innermost layer of the skin, is composed primarily of connective tissue.

Within the connective tissue of the dermis, collagen and elastin fibers form a network that provides the skin with structure, support, and elasticity. Over time, this network of fibers breaks down as well, which in addition to other factors, further contributes to the formation of wrinkles and other changes in appearance.

How do Superficial Peels Work? During a superficial peel, a chemical solution is applied to the face. The solution causes mild trauma, or injury, to the epidermis, which is composed of five distinct layers. Similar to exfoliating your skin, the injury causes the damaged outer layers of the epidermis to peel away. As part of the healing process, increased cell growth produces new, healthier skin layers beneath, which give the face a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance. It is important to realise that superficial peels are not intended to treat deep wrinkles or significantly sagging skin. In these circumstances, a face lift or dermal filler injections may produce more desirable results.

Preparation Often referred to as the "lunchtime peel", superficial peels generally last between fifteen and thirty minutes. A few weeks before your procedure, your physician may recommend that you use a facial product that contains trans retinoic acid. This is because trans retinoic acid is believed to prepare the outer layer of skin for treatment as well as allow the chemical peel solution to soak evenly through your skin. You may also be required to wash your face with a special soap twenty-four hours before your procedure. Prior to the start of your procedure, the treatment areas will be cleansed, usually using an alcohol based cleaner. While you may feel a slight stinging or warming sensation during the procedure, you will most likely not feel any significant pain. Therefore, an anaesthetic is usually not necessary for a superficial peel.

Procedure Using a sponge or a brush, chemical solution will be applied to individual areas over the entire face. The solution will penetrate into your skin for approximately fifteen minutes and then it will be removed or neutralised with a different substance. Superficial peels generally treat the epidermis, which is why the effects of treatment are less than other types of chemical peels.

The chemical solution used during a superficial peel damages the outermost layers of the epidermis, which causes them to peel away. The healing process triggers cell growth which generates new skin layers. In addition, the healing process also stimulates collagen and elastin production in the dermis. As the damaged skin peels away, the new skin is revealed, giving the face a smoother, revitalised, more youthful appearance.

Recovery Immediately following your procedure, you may experience some redness and irritation that is similar to sunburn. As healing takes place, you may also notice some crusting or flaking of your skin. These symptoms will most likely subside in approximately seven days. Although bandaging is not necessary, like any wound it is important to keep the area moist and protected. Therefore, your physician may recommend that you apply a protective ointment to your face in the days following your procedure. You will most likely notice the outer layers of the skin peeling away within several days following treatment. New skin will begin to appear in approximately one to two weeks. Your skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure as it heals. Therefore, it is extremely important that you protect your skin from the sun with UVA and UVB protection while you heal.

Results The results from a superficial peel are generally mild compared to more aggressive forms of treatment such as a medium or deep peel. However, this also means that the risks associated with the procedure are typically less. Your physician may recommend that you undergo repeated treatments at regular intervals. For example, some individuals receive treatments on a weekly or monthly basis until the desired result is achieved. It is important to realise that the appearance of your skin will continue to change and age after you have had a superficial peel treatment. However, superficial peels are a fast, effective method of rejuvenating your skin.

Medium Peels

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A single application of a medium peel generally produces a more dramatic result than a superficial peel, because it penetrates more deeply into the layers of the skin. It will, however, leave your skin a little red, like sunburn, immediately after treatment. Our skin therapist will assess your skin under a Wood’s lamp and plan your treatment regime on your first visit. The peeling agents and vitamins utilised in our treatments are formulated to international medical gold standards, greatly reducing irritation and downtime associated with peels of the past.

We will tailor the layers of ingredients specifically designed to treat aging, sun-damage, uneven pigmentation and age spots, rosacea, inflamed, sensitive, acne & oily skin conditions.

Medium Peels Medium peels generally produce more dramatic results than superficial peels, because they penetrate more deeply into the layers of the skin. Medium peels are usually performed using what is known as trichloroacetic acid (or TCA), which may be used with Jessner's solution or glycolic acid to improve treatment results. Like superficial peels, treatment results depend on the concentration of trichloroacetic acid applied during the procedure.

This is because solutions with a higher concentration penetrate more deeply into the skin. Although individuals with dark complexions are at an increased risk for skin discolouration, medium peels can be used successfully on individuals with fair and olive complexions. One of the most common types of chemical peels, medium peels are a safe, effective method of treating fine to moderate lines, pigmentation abnormalities, acne scars, and

Overview of Skin The skin is composed of two layers known as the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis, or outer layer of the skin, acts as the skin's primary defence against the environment. As a result, these layers sustain the most damage. The dermis, or innermost layer, is responsible for providing structure and support to the skin. It also contains the elastic properties of the skin and tends to thin out with advancing age.

What Causes Skin Damage? The dermis is comprised primarily of connective tissue, which is made mostly of collagen and elastin fibers. These fibers form a network that provides the skin with structure, support, and elasticity. Over time, the aging process and sun damage cause a decrease in the amount of collagen and elastin fibers. As this network of fibers breaks down, the skin loses its elasticity and becomes more lax. Together, aging, sun damage, and additional factors contribute to wrinkle formation and other changes in appearance.

How Do Medium Peels Work? During a medium peel, a chemical solution is applied to the face. The solution causes trauma, or injury, to the skin�s layers. In general, the top layer of the epidermis, known as the stratum corneum, may be removed in addition to other portions of the epidermis. When higher concentrations of trichloroacetic acid are used, the treatment may extend into the upper regions of the dermis. Similar to exfoliating your skin, the damaged outer layers of the epidermis will peel away. As part of the healing process, increased cell growth as well as collagen production and reorganisation in the dermis will produce new, healthier skin layers, giving the face a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.

Preparation Medium peels may last between fifteen and sixty minutes. A few weeks before your procedure, you may be asked to use a facial product that contains trans retinoic acid. This is because trans retinoic acid is believed to prepare the outer layers of skin for treatment as well as allow the chemical peel solution to soak evenly through your skin. Prior to the start of your procedure, the treatment areas will be cleansed, usually using an alcohol based cleaner. As you may feel a warming or burning sensation during treatment, a topical anaesthetic or pain medication will be administered to help you stay comfortable and relaxed during your procedure.

Procedure A sponge or a brush will be used to apply the chemical solution to individual areas over the entire face. Medium peels primarily damage the epidermis. However, unlike superficial peels, the solution used during a medium peel may penetrate into the papillary or upper dermis, which is why the effects of treatment are more significant with a medium peel.

Effects of a Medium Peel Procedure Trichloroacetic acid application causes what is known as frosting of the skin, in which the treatment areas turn white. The degree of frosting will be used to assess the depth of treatment. Once the desired level of treatment has been achieved, the chemical solution will be removed or neutralised with a different substance. The damaged layers of the epidermis will peel away over time. The healing process triggers cell growth which generates new skin layers. In addition, deep within the dermis, the healing process also stimulates collagen production and reorganisation, which improves the structure of the skin's framework. As you heal, the new skin is revealed, giving the face a smoother, revitalised appearance.

Recovery Immediately following your procedure, you may continue to experience some frosting which will fade in approximately thirty minutes, and be replaced by redness and irritation similar to sunburn. Although bandaging is not necessary, like any wound it is important to keep the area moist and protected. Therefore, a protective ointment such as petroleum jelly may be applied to your face in the days following your procedure. You will most likely notice the outer layers of the skin peeling away within several days following treatment. New skin will begin to appear in approximately one to two weeks. Your skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure as it heals. Therefore, it is extremely important that you protect your skin from the sun with UVA and UVB protection while you heal.

Results The effects of a medium peel procedure are generally more noticeable than a superficial peel because the procedure causes more injury to the skin. The results from a medium peel procedure may last between six and twelve months. In order to maintain the desired results, you may repeat the procedure approximately every three to six months. It is important to realise that the appearance of your skin will continue to change and age after you have had a medium peel treatment. However, medium peels are a fast, effective method of improving the tone and texture of your skin, which will restore a more youthful appearance.

Elixxir™ Facial Peels

Types of Elixxir Peels

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