PCA Skin Chemical Peel
in Charlotte, NC

There is little to no downtime with PCA chemical peels. You can actually receive a peel on your lunch hour and return to work! Your skin will be shiny and possibly show signs of redness, but it will not interfere with your daily activities.

Everyone’s experience will be different. Patients typically experience flaking for two or three days following the treatment, though it is possible to see flaking for up to five or six days.

You won’t necessarily experience visible peeling, but this doesn’t mean your treatment was ineffective. Everyone experiences different levels of peeling depending on their skin type, resilience, type of peel, and the number of layers applied. Some people experience ‘sheeting,’ which occurs when large portions of the skin peel off at once, while others may experience ‘flaking,’ where small pieces of skin peel off. And if you don’t peel, your skin is still exfoliating. In this case, the exfoliation is happening on a cellular level that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Typically, the deeper the peel you receive, the more extensive peeling you’ll experience.

PCA SKIN peels are only slightly irritating to the skin. You may experience mild burning or stinging, but this will eventually subside, and your results will be glowing.

Yes, but only if you use sun protection and avoid the sun 48 hours after your peel. If you’re using peels to lighten the skin, Perfecting Protection (SPF 30+) is the ideal sunscreen to use to reduce any chance of further hyperpigmentation due to its enhanced lightening ingredients of Bearberry, Licorice Root Extract, Kojic Acid, Mulberry Root and Lactic Acid.

Someone who frequently works out can have any peel but must wait 48 hours after the treatment to exercise. If you don’t want to wait, any non-chemical or retinol peel is also a great choice. The Esthetique or our Ultra Peel™ II, which is an acid-free, time-released retinol cream, are also wonderful options. These options have a delayed flaking action that doesn’t create any irritation or downtime and leaves the skin glowing and hydrated.

If your skin is dry and thin, there’s often a buildup of dead cells that can keep your home care products from penetrating. Getting a retinol treatment will remove surface buildup, hydrate the skin, and give it a more plump, “thicker” appearance. The use of vitamin C products in the treatment, as well as in your home care program, will help build the collagen in your skin, making it stronger and more durable.

PCA SKIN chemical peels are not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing, but there are other treatments available.

We generally recommend that Retin-A^® use is stopped five days prior to a peel and five days post treatment because of potential irritation and uneven peel penetration. Accutane^® users tend to have very dry and sensitive skin, and need to be treated only with peels that are appropriate for their skin type. We’ve found that the PCA non-peel solutions are Accutane^® friendly. However, your skin care specialist should always be made aware of any Retin-A^® or Accutane^® use and may recommend you postpone treatment if your skin is too reactive.

Glycolic acid will dehydrate skin and make your pores larger after extended use. PCA uses lactic and citric acids, which are skin-friendly because they’re natural constituents of your skin. PCA peels are unique because they moisturize and hydrate your skin to make it fresh, soft, and supple — the way it wants to be!