Acid-Skincare Glossary — Your Guide to Common Acids
If you recall the episode of Sex and the city when Samantha gets a peel at the office and Carrie says her face looks like beef, you might be hesitant about a chemical peel. You don’t need to worry, though – in-office chemical peels are safe and effective.
“The main difference between the home acid treatment and the professional one is the concentration of the acid itself,” says Zeichner. “The higher the concentration, the more effective the treatment. Professional office acid treatments penetrate deeper into the skin, providing a firmer peel. “These crusts work well, but when they go deeper, they can also be more of a risk. This is why it is important to have it done by a medical professional.
At-home and in-office treatments also vary depending on how often you want them done. “Ideally, acids incorporated into your daily skin care routine have a gentle exfoliation effect but are mild enough to be used daily or a few times per week,” says Libby Rhee, DO, MS , said FAAD, Ro’s dermatologist in residence. “In-office peels are a great way to get more intense peels to really kickstart or enhance your skin rejuvenation goals. I like to think of in-office treatments like high-yield training sessions with a trainer and at-home skincare routines as part of your routine to further increase your effectiveness. ”