Earlier this year I had my first Hydrafacial, a very popular treatment to cleanse and give glow to skin. I went back for my second treatment, but because of some active breakouts, the therapist suggested we do a chemical peel instead.
The results were more instant with the Hydrafacial because of the immediate deep cleansing. However chemical peels offer longer-term results, while removing blackheads, and dead skin cells.
To see my previous experience at Thérapie, click here.
We started with the antioxidant cleanser, continued with a glycolic cleanser. These were slightly tingly but not uncomfortable.
Then my therapist applied the prepping solution, which is essential before a peel, it contains soothing ingredients like lavender and witch hazel. Parts of the face have to have a barrier, for example around the lips, around the nose, eyes and brows, to avoid any peeling/flaking.
We continued with the mango peel, which was applied and left on for about 5-7 minutes. Depending on the sensitivity of the person this could be left on for less. Some people can only handle 2 minutes. That’s why Ruxi my therapist was always asking how it felt it terms of pain from 1-10, as you should never feel uncomfortable. The peel for me felt tingly, particularly around my jaw and mouth which is where I have the spots.
The next step is the hydrating enzyme mask, which is meant to calm down the skin. The enzymes continue to remove dead skin cells, in a much lighter way, as they come from fruit acids (pineapple in particular). Fruit acids (or PHAs) suit even the most sensitive skins, even people that suffer from rosacea.
A few minutes of LED blue light, and finished by applying an antioxidant day cream.
For the next week my routine should be very minimal, cleanser, moisturiser, Hyaluronic Acid that will help with the moisture, particularly now that the weather is getting colder.
A few hours after the facial the area around my jaw felt a bit itchy and dry, so I applied a thick layer of HA and moisturiser. My cleanser of choice is the Dr Sam Flawless Cleanser, as it’s very light, fragrance-free and non-irritating.
The next day I could see a few whiteheads resurfacing, which is what my therapist mentioned would happen. It means the peel is working! The underlying spots will surface and that will help them disappear quicker. Essentially it’s cutting their circle short, by helping them appear quicker, as those that are making an appearance now, would have done so anyway just later in time.
A week after my facial, active spots are almost completely gone, redness from these has gone down too.
The second round of the facial included the exact same steps, the peel was a bit stronger though.
Also Ruxi used the bigger LED lamp on me, which was left on for about 20-30 minutes in total. That includes red light which focuses on regeneration and blue light that helps with breakouts. I had quite a big breakout that lasted 1-2 weeks after the second facial. Of course I can’t be sure why that happened, it could be the underlying spots that were brought to the surface by the facial, or maybe the peel was too strong!
