5 Reasons Fall is the Best Time for Chemical Peels
Maybe years of back-to-school conditioning have affected me, but autumn feels like a time for new beginnings. Like a switch flipped, autumn has suddenly arrived, painting the hills and valleys of Eugene gold and orange. It’s time to unpack the sweaters, brew endless pots of tea or coffee, and settle into the still of the darker months. Like me, you might be ready for fall and winter-- but is your skin ready?
If your skincare routine doesn’t change seasonally, I highly recommend you start making some seasonal updates, even if they’re small tweaks. Your skin has *very* different needs during the various seasons. During the summer, you might be focused more on cooling, calming, and protecting against the sun. In the winter, however, moisture might be more of a priority, and fall is when the transition begins. As the harsh rays of summer sun wind down, fall can be an excellent time to speed up the cell turnover process with chemical peels. Here are 5 reasons why you should start a chemical peel regimen this fall.
Erase the summer sun
Summer is a time when lots of sun exposure happens. Even if you are super diligent about wearing sunscreen with a high SPF, you can still experience some sun damage. Hate to break it to ya, but a suntan IS sun damage. Womp womp. Chemical peels help reduce the appearance of sun damage by removing the outer damaged layer, revealing less damaged, fresh skin underneath. Chemical peels can leave your skin extra sensitive to increased sun damage, so it’s ideal to start them after summer, when less time is spent out in direct sun. So when the sweaters are unpacked, you know it’s time to book your next peel.
Turn back the clock by reducing line and wrinkles
Chemical peels work in the short term to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles again by removing that outer layer of skin. This outermost layer tends to be the older, more damaged skin, which can look dry and weathered. By sloughing this layer off, a fresh layer is revealed. This fresher layer tends to have more elastin and collagen, and lines and wrinkles have less depth. After a completed series of peels, you can expect to see a dramatic decrease in the appearance of wrinkles and lines.
Promote Collagen Production
Promote collagen production: Collagen is a type of protein responsible for creating structure in the skin. As we age, our cells naturally produce less and less collagen. Research has shown that after age 20, collagen production decreases by 1% each year. This slowdown in collagen production results in less firm skin, or even sagging. Chemical peels have been shown to encourage skin cells to increase collagen over time, which leaves your skin firmer than before. It can take several occurrences for this effect to become visible, which is why a regular chemical peel every 4-6 weeks is important. Think of your skin like an engine flywheel: peels send the signal to your skin to ramp up the healing and rejuvenation over time. Some results happen quickly but the most impactful results don’t come until the flywheel is really spinning. Just having one peel does not wind back the clock, but routine maintenance will.
Customize Your Experience
There are so many different chemical peels to choose from, and they all work a little differently. Since peels come in varying strengths, they can be used on people with a wide range of skin issues. Even if you have sensitive skin, you can benefit from a properly-selected chemical peel. Sensitive skin, aging, acne, dry, hyper-pigmented, and even oily skin issues can be addressed through a routine peel. When you begin your peel regimen, your esthetician will discuss your goals and concerns to determine which peel is best for you.
Start in Fall, Glow by Winter
You might be surprised to know that chemical peels also are pretty inexpensive when compared to full facials, so you don’t have to break the bank reaching your skin goals. Starting your chemical peels in the fall means that you can begin seeing results before the holiday season. Dazzle with a renewed visage at parties and family gatherings, thanks to a routine of chemical peels.