What exactly is the Netrata® Glycolic Acid Skin Renewal Peel?
The Neostrata® Peels are 100% free glycolic acid to maximize bioavailability, resulting in an effective, predictable, safe peel. Many competitive peel products are either pH adjusted, buffered or partially neutralized reducing their effectiveness and predictability. The NeoStrata® Peel System allows the trained professional to safely design a treatment program around a particular patient's skin care needs and tolerance. The NeoStrata® Glycolic Acid Skin Renewal Peel offers the flexibility of four concentrations (20%, 35%, 50%, 70%) as well as a High Potency peel (for those who have developed a tolerance for the 70% peel).Peels can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as microdermabrasion and non-ablative laser treatments.
The Neostrata® superficial peels:
- are fragrance free
- are full strength
- are physician strength
- are not tested on animals
- can be combined with other cosmetic procedures
- enhance skin renewal
- promote smoother, healthier skin
- do not contain animal derived ingredients
Can anyone be treated with the Neostrata® Glycolic Acid Peel?
To determine if you should have the Neostrata® Glycolic Acid Skin Renewal Peel treatment, you need to meet with your physician/skin therapist and discuss your medical history, skin sensitivities and peel expectations. A program will then be designed especially for you with the appropriate type and timing for a peel.
Many conditions can affect the sensitivity and reactivity of your skin to the glycolic acid peel. Your skin therapist may recommend to briefly discontinue using certain products and cosmetic procedures, or pre-treat you with other products, depending on your product-use practices and medical history.
What Kinds of improvement can I expect with a Peel Treatment?
Be sure to discuss the type and degree of skin improvements you hope to gain from the peel treatment program. Together, you can decide if your expectations are realistic and redefine your goals if necessary to get the desired improvements. The following are types of improvements that are possible with the Neostrata® Glycolic Acid peel treatment program and items to discuss with your therapist.
- Skin improvements that may result from a peel series:
- softening of fine lines from sun damage
- diminution of coarse lines from sun damage
- increased smoothness in skin texture
- mild or moderate smoothing of acne scars
- lightening of pigmentation irregularities
- increasing skin glow or radiance
- some minimization of pore size
- Areas of the body where peels can be beneficial:
- forehead
- cheeks
- browline
- mouth lines
- crow's feet
- chin
- back of hands
- décolletage/chest
- shoulders
- neck
- Speed of improvement needed or wanted:
- textural smoothening and improvements with acne prone skin can occur within a month
- deeper textural changes require multiple peels. Noticeable improvements usually occur with 3 months
- Amount of healing/recovery time possible:
- no time, back in your routine the day after the peel
- a few days up to a week
What Should I do prior to the Peel Treatment?
In your complimentary pre-peel consultation, we will recommend pretreatment with one of the Neostrata® AHA products, Cream, Lotion or Gel. It is important to start using this Neostrata® product as soon as it is recommended, usually at least two (2) weeks prior to your peel.
What Should I do on the day of the Peel Treatment?
Come for your treatment with a fully cleansed face. If possible, no makeup, cologne or after shave should be applied, and you should avoid shaving areas to be peeled. If you have accidentally used one of the restricted products or procedures, such as hair dye or an exfoliating sponge, in the past few days, it is important to tell your doctor. Your peel treatment might be rescheduled to prevent an unanticipated deepening of the peel, since your skin may be more sensitive than your doctor expected.
How will I look or feel like after the Peel Treatment?
Initially your skin may be somewhat red or puffy. It may take up to one week for the renewal and rebuilding process to allow your skin appearance to return to "normal". During this repair/renewal period some patients have experienced some of the following: stinging, itching, burning, mild pair or discomfort, tightness, sun sensitivity, and peeling of the superficial layer of the skin. Light peeling is an expected result, of course, but not necessary to see the improvement you want. The sensations will lessen over the course of the week as the skin returns to its "normal" appearance.
Are there any possible negative reactions to a Peel Treatment?
The glycolic acid peel process can possibly cause:
- an acne flare due to deep pore cleansing,
- a herpes simplex flare in patients who have had previous herpes infections (particularly if no preventative treatment was used) or
- an acne-like inflammation around the mouth (called peri-oral dermatitis).
Some patients may experience transient spots of hyper- or hypopigmentation (coloration or discoloration) after a glycolic acid peel procedure. If these conditions are left untreated, they usually resolve themselves. However, you should inform your doctor if you develop changes in skin coloration.
What is the timing for additional Peel Treatments?
If you have little discomfort with the peel treatment, and a limited shedding/peeling of the surface skin a second peel can be done two weeks later. If you have greater discomfort and skin shedding/peeling with the peel treatment, your doctor will probably recommend four to six weeks between peel treatments. The NEOSTRATA® Skin Rejuvenation System was created to allow flexibility in the timing of the peel treatments, for you to proceed at a comfortable rate of skin improvement.
