chemical peel at the dermatologists' or the aestheticians?
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free skin care · Tue Feb 22, 2005 11:30 pm

hi everyone,

i have never had a chemical peel before (nor a facial for that matter). i would like to (actually, more like i *need* to) have a peel done. should i go to the dermatologist or an aesthetician? i stopped by an aestheticians today to inquire about them. she has been in the business for 9 years and has used Skinceuticals for 3 and swears it's the best brand she has experienced. i asked her how her peel would compare to a "Jessner" peel but she said she had never heard of it before.

i have suffered with moderate acne since age 14 and i am going to be 25 soon. so that's awhile. if breaking out at all at my age isn't bad enough within the last year i started breaking out on my cheeks too. i also have developed small white bumps on my cheecks as well (whiteheads- oh, i hate that word!). most of them eventually bust out into a huge zit. Mad

i also have oily and sensitive skin. for meds i take minocycline and this month got back on the pill as that seemed to help when i took it 2 years ago. i also use Proactiv and Clarins products.

so, thank you for bearing with me in my long post, your advice would be GREATLY appreciated:

1. considering my skin type/problems should i visit the DR or an aesthetician?
2. what can i do about my newly aquired freak cheeks?

thanks so much! i really enjoy this forum- it's very helpful to read about opinions (and help when i can).

Smile

p.s. i did make an appointment and the aesthetician said she would do a peel and extractions. should i worry about the extraction bit? does this cause breakouts? also, will the peel purge my skin and make me breakout all over 10 fold? i worry because the appointment is friday and my birthday is sunday and i don't want to be polka dot face! Laughing

Wed Feb 23, 2005 3:06 am

Amnis - I have no experience with peels so I can't comment but I would adivse you not to get extractions done two days before your birthday! I think those alone can leave you with red dots all over for a few days (depending on how they're done etc). I still remember what my cousin looked like for a few days after she had extractions done Shock

It certainly does depend on the person but I wouldn't risk it.

free skin care · Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:54 am

You should be fine with a chemical peel if it's done correctly. They wil do a skin analysis & use the right peel for your skin type. As for the extractions - always do those on a Friday (if you're planning on staying in on the weekend!) They almost always do leave you with swollen pores, but they go away in a day or two..
Don't be scared about a peel or a facial - they are relaxing & fun! If you're worried about sensitivity - tell her that you want to start off with a mild peel like salycilic acid or a pumpkin peel. Enjoy being pampered! Wink

free skin care · Wed Feb 23, 2005 7:50 am

If you are talking about a light to moderate peel, an aesthetician should be fine... But, if you are going in for a deep peel or an Obagi peel, given that you've never done it before AND especially if you have acne, I would definitely go the dermatologist route.
You do not want to do either a few days before your birthday though....
Good luck.

free skin care · Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:19 am

I think it all depends on the products used. I personally go to a dermatologist for it because I like some of the products they use that other aestheticians might not be able to get ahold of. But you'll increasingly find that many dermatologists are starting to hire aestheticians at their practices if they're also selling products. In that type of environment I don't think you can go wrong. But I lean towards doctor.

I usually have a B-Lift (or Beta Lift) glycolic peel done on me and I'm happy with the results so far. I've been getting them done for almost 2 years, every three months, and my skin starts peeling 2 days after and usually for about 3 days. My doctor also alternates treatments, too, so that the skin doesn't tolerate to it *too* quickly*. For some of his patients I know he's tried out the MD Forte glycolic peel, but I've never tried that one. I've only had two types used on me (he's a dermatologist that loves making his own compounds, and I think the other might have been his own formula), but it's nice to find someone who will use a certain kind of peel based on your skin type.

free skin care · Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:36 pm

I've had a "pumpkin peel" as well as a "detox peel" done at an aestheticians office, and I had really nice (temporary) results with my acne. I was also getting microdermabrasions done at that time, so that helped. They peels were actually really nice, it is like getting a facial, and then your face feels a bit tight for a day or two, then becomes flaky for a bit, and then your skin looks radiant! I haven't gotten one done for over a year but I can't wait to go back!!!

Here's an interesting story (well i think it's interesting anyways Laughing

), my grandmother had really bad acne when she was younger and she was one of the first people in the United States to have a chemical peel done on her face in 1921 (was considered very radical back then). Can you imagine what they were like back then? Probably pure acid on the face or something Shock

Yikes, I would have been scared!! But, she never had any acne after that, so I guess it was worth it....

free skin care · Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:54 pm

In my opinion - dermatologist.

What you're getting at a spa (or similar setting) is going to be very superficial.

Derms in general know a lot more, and have had a lot of experience. If you're thinking of a chemical peel, chances are going to a spa is just going to cost you money, money, money, for something that wouldn't yield the results you're hoping for.

I prefer derms and plastic surgeons anyway.

free skin care · Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:22 am

hello..
Seems like my skin your talking about, I started breaking out around the age of 14 now 22 My skin has cleared up But it's always been sensitive, And I can relate with you about the cheek thing.. I had/have the same thing, and I still have little holes if you will on my cheeks, i've been using retin-a and Obagi and they have become smaller with all the skin that has peeled off, i've tried clarins before .. all their products made my face so red, you don't even know.. if it's working out for you than great. but other than that I would say away from it. Lots of Alcohols, fake coloring agents, and parfums are used in their products, I've used so many lines out there and I keep coming back to dermalogica.. it's simple and i always see a difference in my skin, looks more alive. About the dermatologist, or aesthitician thing. I mean its up to you. I've been to both, Aesthiticians seem to give you more time and talk to you about your questions when ever i went to a dermatologist, i would ask about these question about my skin, he'd be like it's nothing don't worry about, your young.. listen honey just cause i'm young doesn't me my skin is great, he would write some pills off for me and a smelly soap, put acid on my face and say bye.. but I do think that dermatologist have stronger peels that they can do on your face compared to a aesthitician... tell us how it went.. krys.

free skin care · Fri Feb 25, 2005 1:36 am

thanks so much for your input everybody! i can't tell you how much i appreciate it! it's so valuable.

i decided to cancel my appt with the aesthetician. i called her and told her about my worries and she also thought it was probably better to wait (b/c of my birthday). so i am going to treat myself after my birthday Wink

i think i will try the aesth. peel first to introduce my skin to these kinds of things, then go to the derm for something more powerful. (i will have health insurance again in a few weeks so that's mainly why i have to wait (for the derm visit at least... i'm hoping my insurance will cover a peel(fingers crossed))).

krys: i can't believe clarins didn't work for you- REALLY surprised. are you sure you are referring to clarins? b/c i am pretty sure that they don't use alcohols, coloring agents, or parfumes. in fact, if something has a frangrance to it isn't it due to the plant extracts clarins uses in their product? dumbfounded on that one. anyway, perhaps i will take a look at dermalogica too. btw, what cleared you up?

thanks again everyone!

p.s. forgot to mention in my first post in this topic: the aesthetician gave me samples of phyto corrective when i stopped by to make an appt. and the 2 days i have used it i really like it... Smile

p.s.s i'll let you know how my peel goes.

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