Did you know that you could come into the office for a resurfacing peel treatment that has no downtime? It’s a procedure that is relaxing yet effective, and offers an experience that is much gentler than an injection or a stronger peel. I am referring to a type of alpha hydroxy acid peels, obtained from glycolic acid. I call these my ‘Glow & Go’ peel for folks wanting to add in a little beautifying self-care in between the busyness of their day.

Alpha hydroxy peels are well established in dermatology and have been used for years. There is basically zero downtime and they are usually superficial to medium in peel depth. Glycolic acid that comes from sugarcane is the most commonly used alpha hydroxy peel. It penetrates the skin easily, works by reducing inflammation, breaks down the outer layers of the skin, and is an antioxidant (1). This breaking down of the outer skin layers is referred to as exfoliation and helps prevent clogging of pores, hyperpigmentation, acne, scarring, and aging from the sun (2).

The skin can be prepped for the Glow & Go treatment by using products such as topical retinoids. This has been shown to help increase the peel’s efficacy and prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (3). The actual treatment begins with a vitamin C cleanse, then I like to perform a microderm scrub which acts as a manual exfoliator. After this, we prep the skin to remove oils then apply the glycolic acid and let it do its magic. Depending on your goals, skin type, and concentration of glycolic acid use, the peel is left on between 2-15 minutes with a possible reapplication. Once there is a uniform appearance, we remove the glycolic acid peel and I finish it off with a cooling mask, and medical-grade skincare routine. 

So what does it mean to have a no-peel peel? WIth this treatment in particular, the mask stays on the top layer of the skin. We can adjust the depth somewhat, depending on the concentration of the acid used (40-70%) and how many layers are applied and how often. After one treatment you can expect to not peel. Generally, there is no downtime. You can go back to work, out to dinner, and your skin will be glowing.

As with so many treatments, your goals will dictate how often to come in for a treatment. If you are wanting to pamper yourself with an exfoliating glow experience, just book one appointment and consider opting for the add-on of an IV hydration or beauty bag to support the skin from inside and out. If you are wanting to target acne scars or hyperpigmentation, consider a series of treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart until your goals are met.

As always, thanks for reading and feel free to share with someone who may benefit.

With love,
Heather