 |
| |
Technology - FAQS - Chemical Peels
What is a chemical peel?
Do chemical peels hurt?
What is free acid?
What is pH?
What are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)?
How do alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids differ?
What are the differences between light/superficial,
medium and deep peels?
What type of peel is Refinity™?
What pH levels are found in Refinity™ Medical
Skin Solutions?
Q: What is a chemical peel?
A: A chemical peel is an accelerated form of exfoliation
or skin renewal that is induced by the use of a chemical agent
(i.e., AHAs, trichloroacetic acid [TCA], phenol acid, etc.).
Back To Top Of Page
Q: Do chemical peels hurt?
A: A patient’s comfort level will depend on the
strength and depth of the peel. Many patients experience stinging,
burning and significant discomfort with the current peeling
agents available.
The Refinity™ peel is the only AHA peel formulated with
the chemically proven anti-irritant COSMEDERM-7™. This
anti-irritant minimizes the discomfort, such as itching, burning
and stinging, which can accompany high-acid level AHA facial
peels, while delivering medical strength results.
Back To Top Of Page
Q: What is free acid?
A: Free acid refers to the percentage of total acid
that is unneutralized and, therefore, available to achieve
desired or skin renewal effects.
Back To Top Of Page
Q: What is pH?
A: The level of acidity or alkalinity of any solution
is measured by pH. Acidity is what produces the properties
of stinging. The neutral point, where a solution would be
neither acid nor alkaline, is pH7. Maximum acidity is pH 0
and maximum alkalinity is pH 14. Products at both ends of
this spectrum can be irritating to the skin. The pH of the
skin’s surface is 4.2 to 5.62.
Back To Top Of Page
Q: What are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)?
A: Alpha-hydroxy acids are nontoxic substances derived
from various sources, including citrus fruits, apples, sugar
cane and sour milk. AHAs affect both the epidermis and dermis,
causing cells to shed more quickly and certain layers to thicken3.
The two most common AHAs are glycolic and lactic acids.
Back To Top Of Page
Q: How do alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids differ?
A: AHAs are water-soluble and are thought to stimulate
skin renewal by speeding up exfoliation of the top layer of
the skin (epidermis) as well as stimulate collagen production
in the dermis. BHAs are lipid soluble and therefore have been
shown to be effective in the treatment of acne.
Back To Top Of Page
Q: What are the differences between light/superficial,
medium and deep peels?
A: AHAs are considered light or superficial peels.
They are used in concentrations of 20%-70% by a physician
or under a physician’s supervision. The objective of
a glycolic acid peel is to speed up the natural skin renewal
process, not to wound the skin.
Medium depth peels use a stronger chemical agent, typically
a 10%-30% concentration trichloroacetic acid (TCA), to create
a deeper wound to the skin than light, superficial peels.
The medium depth peel is generally used to treat patients
with moderate photo aging. The healing period is approximately
one week to 10 days4.
Deep peels are aggressive treatments using a strong chemical
agent, usually phenol, which penetrates deep layers of the
skin. These peels are typically used to treat people with
advanced photo aging. A deep peel is an aggressive procedure
generally requiring a two-week recuperation period.
Back To Top Of Page
Q: What type of peel is Refinity™?
A: The Refinity™ peel is considered a superficial
peel. However it is formulated with the strongest available
(unneutralized 70%) glycolic solution and the proven anti-irritant,
COSMEDERM-7™, patients may begin to achieve the skin-enhancing
benefits at their first treatment.
Back To Top Of Page
Q: What pH levels are found in Refinity™ Medical
Skin Solutions?
A: The Refinity™ peel is a 70% unneutralized
glycolic acid peel with a pH of less than 1.0. The anti-irritant,
COSMEDERM-7™, reduces itching, stinging or burning,
allowing patients a high-level acid peel that is both effective
and gentle.
Back To Top Of Page
|
|
|
|
 |
