To peel or not to peel...  chemical peels and hydro--lifting treatments unmasked.

For many years I have been slathering on home remedies and store-bought creams to keep my skin moisturized while attempting to halt inevitable cell degeneration and the looming onset of aging skin in its tracks.

Yes, there are many effective daily creams and treatments that have definite benefits, but with all these recent alternative medical tactics that require lasers, needles, buffers and additional technologies that are now used, it is easy to get swept up and carried away. Carried away down the medical cosmetic path of no return. The path that leads to an unending need to attempt to discover that fountain of youth by way of any and all means necessary.

I admit by times I've thought about seeking out information on Botox and alternative methods besides your run-of-the-mill skin cream  A friend even shared with me that the time to begin it is before signs of aging are realized. She has been Botoxing since the age of 25. I swear she doesn't look a day over 20 so it sure has done the trick!  There is just something about routinely asking a technician to jab needles in my forehead and cheeks that has me a bit standoffish about this particular age defying avenue.

In my hunt to find a happy place between the minimally effective creams and the surgical treatments, I appealed to a cosmetic tech at a nearby cosmetic medical clinic for suggestions. She shone a bright light on me, inspecting every pore and crevice, on my face running her gloved hand along the epidermis as she did so. The verdict? Chemical peel! I stumbled back three steps as visions of Samantha Jones with a freshly peeled face veiling herself from the sight of all party attendees, on an episode of Sex and the City, flashed through my mind. Fully frying my face for the purpose of maintaining its luster and a youthful complexion was not the route I was prepared to take. I made these concerns known.

Andrea, my cosmetic medical tech, giggled and admitted that 80% of women she discusses chemical peels with, have the exact same allusion or point of reference. She also was adamant that with the appropriate tech, the charcoal look is not even a remote possibility. She assured me there would be only beneficial results with little to no side-effects. I put my face's fate in her hands and signed on for a series of peels and hydro-lifting treatments, a bit nerve-filled while signing the waiver forms, of course. 

The results? Ladies, I'm a believer! Truly, there is nothing to be afraid of. Monthly, I head to a serene setting where I'm made to feel that I'm at a day spa even though for only an hour, A soothing massage is included in the process and the substances that are lathered on my face elicit nothing more than a tickling and tingling sensation. My skin has never looked healthier and trust me, from the moment I step  out of the medical cosmetic office, my day carries on as usual (no veil required). I know the term 'chemical' may be a bit off-putting, but the chemical that is used is so gentle that it's as if the substance used is an elixir with an olive oil base.

For those who are looking for a happy point in between creams and injections, the peel and hydro-lift is a spectacular option with fabulous results. The cost is reasonable, especially when bought in a package deal.  Each monthly session costs around $75. However, if you buy a package of four, the cost per session decreases by about $15.

It is definitely important to always consult a health care professional to know the risks of any procedure and to know the skill level and training of the individual who will be treating you. Do what works best for you and your skin type.

Be skin happy!
Jessica Ashley