Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of a chemical peel?
When will I start “peeling”; for how long and how much?
What is the difference between the three formulas of the PCA Peel?
Can a person who is in the sun a lot receive a peel?
What peels can be used on someone who frequently works out?
My skin is very thin. Why would I want to peel? Wouldn’t that make my skin thinner?
Can pregnant or lactating women receive a peel?
Are there any treatments that are good for rosacea?
Can someone using Retin-A or Accutane have any Physician’s Choice treatments?
What is the difference between PCA and glycolic peels?
How is a chemical peel performed?
Who is a good candidate for a chemical peel?
How many chemical peels should I have and how often is it recommended?
What are PCA Chemical Peel Side Effects and Post-Treatment Tips?
What causes acne?
What is the difference between the PCA Peel® Exfoliating Treatment and Ultra PeeI® I Exfoliating Treatment?
What makes pHaze 25 ExLinea™ Peptide Smoothing Serum different from other peptide products on the market?
My skin is very oily, do I need a moisturizer?

What are the benefits of a chemical peel?
A chemical peel can restore a more youthful appearance to wrinkled, unevenly pigmented, sun-damaged, or blotchy skin.

When will I start “peeling”; for how long and how much?
Everyone’s experience will be different. However, on an average, you will see flaking by day two or three following the treatment. It is possible to see flaking for up to five or six days. With all Physician’s Choice™ peels, only light to medium exfoliation will be experienced.

PCA peels are only slightly irritating. You may experience mild burning or stinging, which is transient.

What is the difference between the three formulas of the PCA Peel?
The PCA Peel® HQ Free is for sensitive skin types, ethnic skin, those allergic to hydroquinone or not looking to lighten the skin. The PCA Peel® w/HQ has a stronger lightening ability; it will help even out the skin tone. The PCA Peel® w/ HQ and Resorcinol is for most resilient skin types and will provide more exfoliation. This formula is great for someone who has reached a plateau with monthly treatments and needs a more aggressive treatment.

Can a person who is in the sun a lot receive a peel?
Yes, but only if they are compliant with using sunscreen protection every day. Sunbathing should be avoided directly following a treatment and while the skin is peeling. If you are getting peels to lighten the skin, it is imperative to use the appropriate Pigment Gel followed by the appropriate SPF and avoid unnecessary sun exposure to reduce any chance of further hyperpigmentation.

What peels can be used on someone who frequently works out?
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, the Non-Burning Facial Peel is a great choice. This treatment uses our Ultra Peel™ II which is an acid-free, time-released retinol cream. It has a delayed flaking action that creates no irritation or downtime and leaves the skin glowing and hydrated.

My skin is very thin. Why would I want to peel? Wouldn’t that make my skin thinner?
If your skin is dry and thin, often there is a buildup of dead cells that actually keeps your home care products from penetrating. Having an Ultra Peel™ treatment will remove the surface buildup, hydrate the skin and give it a plumper, "thicker" appearance. The use of Vitamin C products in the treatment, as well as in your home care program, will help to build the collagen in your skin, thus making it stronger and more durable.

Can pregnant or lactating women receive a peel?
No. We recommend only the Oxygenating Trio of Detox Gel Deep Pore Treatments for pregnant or lactating women.

Are there any treatments that are good for rosacea?
We recommend having a Sensi-Peel for our rosacea clients or even the Ultra Peel I for less aggravated cases of rosacea.

Can someone using Retin-A or Accutane have any Physician’s Choice treatments?
We generally recommend that Retin-A® use be stopped five to seven days prior to a peel and five to seven days post treatment because of potential irritation and uneven peel penetration. Accutane® users tend to have very dry and sensitive skin and should be off of Accutane® for three to six months and receive a peel that is appropriate for their skin type only after getting authorization from their dispensing physician. Your skin care specialist should always be made aware of any Retin-A® or Accutane® use. Failure to do so could lead to unpredictable and damaging results.

What is the difference between PCA and glycolic peels?
Glycolic acid will dehydrate skin and make pores larger after extended use. PCA uses lactic and citric acids which are skin-friendly because they are natural constituents of your skin. Physician’s Choice™ peels are unique because they are moisturizing and hydrating and leave your skin fresh.

How is a chemical peel performed?
A chemical peel solution may be applied to your entire face or just to certain regions, such as the crow's feet area around your eyes or the vertical wrinkles around your mouth. All chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to remove the outer layers of skin so that a smoother, more evenly pigmented, glowing layer of skin can appear. There are three basic categories of chemical peels. Each type works differently, and produces different results.

Who is a good candidate for a chemical peel?
Chemical peels can enhance the appearance of facial and other skin on men and women of all ages.
The best candidates are those with fair, thin skin, light-haired that has a tendency toward fine wrinkling or scarring on the face. Deeper chemical peels are usually not recommended for highly pigmented skin, such as Asian, black and East Mediterranean. Individuals with sagging and excessive skin are not candidates for this procedure since chemical peeling improves skin quality but does not reduce excess skin. Light Chemical Peel can be performed on almost everyone.

In general, the best candidates for chemical peels are people:
• In good physical health.
• Wanting to look younger and more refreshed.
• Unhappy with the appearance of wrinkles or brown spots, especially around mouth or eyes.
• Free of active skin infections, including most kinds of acne.
• Not taking Accutane, nor have taken it for the previous 18 months.
• Free from large or unusual scar formations, such as keloids.
• Non-pregnant women.

How many chemical peels should I have and how often is it recommended?
Many individuals find that a peel performed every four to six weeks gives optimal results. Glycolic acid peels complement the regular use of other products such as glycolic acid containing preparations that can be used on a regular basis at home. The short term exposure of a higher concentration of glycolic acid on a periodic basis helps maintain skin health and appearance.

What are PCA Chemical Peel Side Effects and Post-Treatment Tips?
After receiving your chemical peel, you may experience some light flaking in a few localized areas for up to five days beginning on day two or three and slight pinkness for one to twelve hours. Although you may or may not actually "peel" during the first one or two treatments, you will probably experience slight exfoliation and your skin will feel tight and pulled.

Patients should always follow the Home Care Regimen sheet provided by their technician, but the following post-treatment tips are also recommended to maximize the benefits to your skin:
• Do not apply any medications following treatment not recommended by your technician, including AHA products.
• Clients who are prone to cold sores should take 1,000 mg or Vitamin C and 1,000 mg of Lysine for two days prior to treatment. Never receive a treatment with an active sore.
• It is ideal to let the skin stabilize and rest overnight, but makeup can be applied after the skin has returned to it’s normal PH, 15 minutes following the treatment if absolutely necessary.
• Avoid direct sun exposure and excessive heat. Use your pHaze 6+ Hydrator Plus (SPF 25) or pHaze 7 Protecting Hydrator (SPF 25), Do no pick at or pull on any loosening or exfoliating skin. This could potentially cause hyperpigmentation.
• Do NOT go to a tanning booth for at least three weeks before or after a treatment (this practice should be discontinued).
• All peel patients must wait 48 hours before exercising. If this is not an option, an alternative treatment will be chosen for you.
• Discontinue the use of Retin-A®,Renova® Tazorac®, Avage® or Differin® or any high percentage glycolic acid products for seven days after treatment. Use of any of these will take the treatment deeper and make your results less predictable. (Please consult the dispensing physician before discontinuing the use of any prescription medication.)
• Do not have electrolysis, dermal fillers, facial waxing or use depilatories for approximately five days before or after the treatment.
• Do not schedule another treatment until your technician advises you to do so.
For two days following:
• Do not apply ice or water to the treated areas.
• Do not put the face directly into a hot shower spray. Do not use Jacuzzis, steam rooms or saunas.
• Do not go swimming or participate in activities that would cause excessive perspiration.
• Do not use a loofa or other means of mechanical exfoliation.
• Do not direct a hair dryer onto the treated area.
• Stay cool! Getting heated internally can cause hyper pigmentation.

What causes acne?
a. over activity of the sebaceous (oil) glands. These abnormal oil glands tend to be overly sensitive to hormone production…which causes even more oil…which makes the problem worse.
b. Excessive growth and insufficient shedding of skin cells. This tends to clog the pores and cause blackheads and whiteheads to form.
c. Bacterial growth in these oil-rich clogged pores. The above factors create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. This inflames the skin and creates the redness associated with ‘pimples’. Cysts may develop beneath the skin’s surface. These cysts can rupture, spread infection into nearby tissue, and cause scarring.

Acne is not caused by:
• Foods (although there is some debate about dietary influences)
• Dirt (excessive washing does not help)
• Stress – (although stress may make acne worse)
• Hormones- (although hormones may make acne worse)

Acne can become worse from:
• Picking and squeezing
• Stress
• Monthly hormonal changes
• Excessive hormone production (e.g.polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Contraceptives (due to the hormones) and other various medicines

What is the difference between the PCA Peel® Exfoliating Treatment and Ultra PeeI® I Exfoliating Treatment?
These two treatments will help many of the same skin conditions, yet there are some basic differences. PCA Peel® is an excellent lightening treatment and effectively controls excessive oil production. A great "baby boomer" peel, Ultra Peel® I is best known for its hydrating and plumping ability, as well as minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

What makes pHaze 25 ExLinea™ Peptide Smoothing Serum different from other peptide products on the market?
There are many different peptides on the market that perform different functions in the skin. The peptide in ExLinea™, acetyl hexapatide-3, is specifically targeted for relaxing facial tension that can cause facial wrinkling while reducing the depth of existing wrinkles. ExLinea™ also incorporates hyaluronic acid to increase the skin's moisture-binding ability. To further enhance your results, combine pHaze 25 ExLinea with pHaze 12 eyeXcellence. pHaze 12 eyeXellence contains three other peptides that are targeted for reducing under eye circles, puffiness and wrinkles. Using these two advanced formulations together leaves the skin plump, hydrated, smooth and firm

My skin is very oily, do I need a moisturizer?
Yes. Everyone, no matter how oily their skin, needs a daytime (with SPF) and nighttime moisturizer. Healthy skin requires a delicate balance of both water and oil. Even if your skin produces excess oil you still need to replenish the water in the skin and keep it hydrated. A deficiency of water will typically lead to an overproduction of oil which would worsen your condition. Choose a daytime SPF product designed for oily skin, such as pHaze 7 Protecting Hydrator SPF 25, as well as a non-oily or oil-free nighttime moisturizer, such as pHaze 18 Clearskin, for best results.