Choosing a Chemical Peel

If you ever watched Sex and the City, you may remember the episode in which Samantha got a chemical peel right before a big event. It was a funny storyline in which she tried to cover up her face to keep people from seeing the redness caused by the peel.

Well…not all chemical peels are like that! It is important to plan some downtime depending on the one you get, but here’s The Skinny on a few chemical peels and the downtime associated with each.

Stimulator Peel

About: A light combination of acids to improve rough skin texture, lighten age spots and hyperpigmentation and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Downtime: None

Recommendation: A series of three to four peels done every two weeks

Sensitive Skin Solution Peel

About: A light peel designed for sensitive skin that exfoliates and decongests pores while hydrating the skin

Downtime: None

Recommendation: A safe, skin brightening treatment before an event or wedding that is best performed with a dermaplaning treatment

Gel Peel

About: Gel peels encourage cell renewal and improve collagen synthesis and skin elasticity. Combined, glycolic and lactic acids work synergistically to exfoliate the skin while reducing irritation and dryness.
Downtime: None

Recommendation: Best for photo-damaged skin, rough texture, dry skin and aging skin

Micropeel

About: A 30 percent glycolic acid chemical peel that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, laxity, dullness and acne

Downtime: Minimal

Recommendation: At least five peels done every two to three weeks

Micropeel Plus 20 or 30

About: Formulated with a combination of salicylic acid 20 or 30 percent, which refines pores and helps reduce the appearance of acne, and glycolic acid 3 percent, which aids in improvement of rough texture, blotchiness and uneven skin tone

Downtime: One week

Glow Peel Package

About: The glow includes a customized blend of Jessner’s Solution and 30 percent salicylic acid in a series of three treatments that will create a light slough of the skin and give you a desirable glow. This package includes a brightening and exfoliating cream, which will help reduce the side effects.

Downtime: Minimal

Recommendation: Three treatments done every two weeks

Pigment Balancing Peel

About: A customizable peel targeting hyperpigmentation and photo-damaged skin with the use of Vitamin C, Emblica, Glycolic 40 percent, and citric acid 10 percent

Downtime: Light to moderate peeling may occur.

Three-Step Stimulation Peel

About: An exclusive blend of acids that remove the outermost layers of skin, stimulate deeper skin layers for more profound benefits and stimulate cellular function

Downtime: Light to moderate peeling may occur

Recommendation: The peel can be repeated every four weeks.

TCA Chemical Peel

About: This is a medium-depth peel formulated with Trichloracetic acid and Jessner's Solution to resurface the skin.

Downtime: One week

Recommendation: This treatment targets acne scarring, photo damage, and fine lines and wrinkles and creates cellular turnover.

All of the above peels are offered at ADSCA’s medi spa. It’s important to note that chemical peels are best performed during the winter months, as sun exposure can damage the skin after a peel. For more information, call 901-759-2322. 

(Don't) Fear the Beard

Spring is on its way in and sweaters, scarves and mittens are on the way out. The temperature is rising, but that doesn’t mean the beard trend is going anywhere. Although this manly fashion staple has been around for quite some time, the art of growing and maintaining facial hair hasn’t always come as easy for some as it has for others. The amount of time it takes for a cleanly shaven face to sprout a full beard varies for every man, but the average is about four weeks. Take note of these tips for growing a beard from the beginning to ending stages.

Ingrown Hairs

Sometimes known as razor bumps, ingrown hairs will sometimes occur in the beginning stage of growth when hair gets trapped inside the follicle or grows back into the skin. This will occur after your initial shave before you start growing out your beard. It is common, but very painful and uncomfortable. Be careful when treating the irritated area. Don’t pull it out from the top, as that can cause it to break instead of come out, which will create more irritation. Instead, put a hot, damp towel over your face, disinfect the area with some alcohol and use tweezers to gently pull out the hair as close to the base as possible to pull the bulb out. Don’t ever squeeze them with your fingers! Dirt under your fingernails could lead to an infection. 

Itchiness

Don’t stress. This should only last a couple of weeks. If you’re new to growing out your facial hair, this initial stage can be uncomfortable and will make you feel like you’ve got a rash under all of that stubble. Don’t worry! It’s most likely just your face drying out and collecting dust. Apply some lotion to your face daily, and you’ll be good to go. Remember, that annoying itch is only temporary!

Growing Pains

Like I mentioned before, the amount of time it takes to grow a beard is different for everyone. Be patient and avoid trimming or shaping your beard for at least a month. For some men that’s too long, and for others it takes two months to get rid of that patchy look. Use your best judgment, but avoid the clippers for as long as you can!

Grooming

When you’ve achieved your desired beard length, which should be after a month or so, you should start a beard grooming routine. You’ll experience the best results by shampooing and conditioning your beard a couple of times a week. Most guys use their regular bar soap in the shower, but you shouldn’t! It will dry out the skin underneath your beard and cause the hair to be brittle.

Trim your beard every week to every few weeks, depending on how long you want to keep your beard and the speed at which your hair grows. When trimming or shaping your beard, always use the right tools. For trimming full, thick beards, comb your beard before using shears. Some men prefer to use scissors, while others prefer to use electric trimmers with a high guard. For a more scruffy, stubble look, use a stubble trimmer every couple of days and an after-shave moisturizer afterward.

Do you have any questions about growing a beard that weren’t answered in this post? Ask your questions in the comments below, and we’ll help you out!