My Chemical Face Peel Diary

It's been a while since my last update so forgive my bout of laziness. I was busy doing something else (like getting info for this article).

After my laser hair removal phase, I've decided to give chemical face peeling a go. I was never one to say "No" to beauty regiments and such. It all started when I met this lady in a review class. You can't miss her in a room full of people. Why? because she's bond paper white! I kid you not-- She's super white, it's abnormal. We became very good friends though. As it turned out, her family runs a beauty spa that specializes in body peeling. They mix and make their own astringents and blends. It took me 2 years to finally cave in and try to have my the skin on my face peeled off. 

BODY PEELING 101: 

• HOW IT WORKS: A special acid is used on your face and neck. It's like a very concentrated form of maxi peel. The smell is pretty sharp (like acetone? or super concentrated eskinol?). The chemical varies in strength (mild to strong). The stronger the acid, the deeper the peel. The mechanics is simple.... burn your old skin so your new skin can come out. It only burns or injures the cells on the top part of your skin. Is it painful? YES. It is. I have to be very honest with you, readers, about this. I have a high pain threshold yet I would still scale the pain at 7 out of 10. The technician will reapply the acid on your face 3x or until she is satisfied. The application process would take around 30 minutes? All the while, a fan was directed on my face to reduce stinging and for me to avoid breathing in the sharp acid fumes. 
• WHO'S THE PERFECT CANDIDATE FOR IT? If you have blemishes, dark flat peklat, skin discoloration, pimples, wrinkles, freckles or if you just have dull skin-- you are a good candidate for it. It's also a good option for those who want a lighter skin tone (gustong maging maputi) My friend/ owner of the salon, told me that she used to have a client with a birth mark on her cheek. She was very insecure about it. After multiple peeling sessions, the dark mark was lighter and the size is down to 20% from the original. Since you keep peeling the old layer, your skin keeps making new skin cells that are blemish- free.
• WHO SHOULDN'T TRY IT: This is a NO-NO for pregnant and lactating women. It can cause brain defects (common is hydrocephalus) in babies.
• HEALING TIME: The pain lasts around 24 hours. The redness (lobster red skin) lasts around 10 to 14 days. 
• WHAT TO EXPECT: Pain, redness and Skin tightening. Your face feels like leather before it peels.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHEMICAL FACE PEELING

My skin condition post peel:

I don't have a big issue with my skin. It's fairly clean with barely a pimple in site. My only problem is that I feel it's a bit dull. Manila's stress and pollution can do that to you. I just want to get rid of my old skin. 

Day 1: The technician tied my hair back and wrapped a band on my head to clear the hairs away. They also made me remove my necklace and top. I wore a wrap (tube style) so the acid won't stain my blouse. 

The acid was gradually and evenly applied on my skin with a long BBQ stick wrapped with cotton (like big cotton buds). The cotton was soaked with STRONG concentration acid. 

Initially, the acid didn't hurt. After 10 minutes, the acid started to burn and sting. After another 5 minutes, I requested the electric fan on my face at full blow. It was difficult to breath; the acid fumes felt like it was burning my mucosal lining. The whole procedure lasted around 30 minutes. 

The instructions were pretty strict--- DON'T WASH IT. DON'T PICK OR TOUCH YOUR SKIN. and it if itches, take anti-histamine/ anti- allergy tablets. You can only wash/ wet your face on the 3rd day.

I went out of the clinic with my skin slightly pink and flushed but after an hour, my face was as red as a tomato! Seriously, I was lobster- red. No amount of powder could hide it. You can't use liquid foundation too (No liquids on your skin until you peel off).

Day 2: Still lobster red and my skin feels super tight and dry. No peeling yet.

Day 3: The peeling started on the sides of my nostrils then around my lip area and on the sides of my mouth. I didn't touch it instructed. I had a warm bath after that. You can't use any chemical on your skin just yet. 

After my bath, I noticed the skin started to really peel. I used a very soft towel to rub it gently (I was curious and excited). The skin started to peel by the chunks (?). I pinched the dead skin and tugged, a large skin section peeled off like magic! Imagine a snake peeling its skin! The skin underneath is soft and a bit moist. 

I went back to the clinic as advised and they peeled all the dead skin for me. The did a facial on my new skin. My skin was really thin/ fragile (It bruised easily when I tried pricking a blackhead).

Day 4: The clinic gave me a maintenance kit. I will try to give you an alternative product based on the kit.

My daily ritual was this.... 

Morning: Apply ice on my face and neck for 3 minutes. Then wash my face using honey. Bathe. Apply moisturizer and sun block. CAUTION, don't use your usual moisturizer and sunblock. It will sting! Remember, you have a very fresh new skin. Instead, purchase Maxi- peel care products. They're designed for peeling skin.

Evening: Apply mild peeling astringent. YES. Another peeling (it really stings). I honestly don't know why I need to do this as I've already peeled before. I want to give it a go for the next 2 weeks just to finish the whole process BEFORE judging. Then sleep and repeat the whole process in the AM.

Day 7: keep applying the sunblock and always moisturize and hydrate. 

My skin is still red though it's more of a pink-red (not lobster red). I don't know if it's due to the strong peel session or because of the mild maintenance peeling (included in the set). I have been peeling lightly everyday. I try to avoid peeling it manually.

TO BE CONTINUED... :)

Day 10:

Day 14:

CONCLUSION:

PERSONAL OPINION:

My daily maxipeel diary

I have clear unblemished skin. This is probably my best asset but lately, the skin on my face looks dull. I never tried peeling before. It was only around 2 weeks ago when I found myself interested in it. There are a number of things you should consider before peeling. I'm sharing my experience with you guys in the hopes of maybe being a help to someone. *Don't hesitate to comment! :)

Here is my personal experience with MaxiPeel. 

• DAY 1 
• AM:  I shopped for the following: 

• Maxi Peel solution 2 and 3
• cotton balls
• maxi peel sunblock. 
• maxi peel moisturizer
• PM:  I washed my face with warm water and a mild cetaphil facial wash. 
• I used maxipeel solution #3 (strongest) on my skin. The reason here is to help jumpstart the peeling phase. The box says to keep the wipes in upward motion. Do avoid rubbing the solution multiple times on the same area. You can get uneven peeling or skin burn. 
• I also included my neck (below my chin and all the way to the nape)
• After it the solution dried, I applied seseame oil (Neutrogena). I forgot to include the MaxiPeel moisturizer when I was out shopping. 

• DAY 2: same procedure/ no noticeable effect.

• DAY 3: Same procedure/ My cheeks were red and a bit sore. There is also mild peeling on my nose. 

• DAY 4: Same procedure/ I regretted applying Maxipeel on my sore cheeks. I guess if you feel your skin tender, you should give your skin a break and skip the Maxipeel for 1-2 days. 

• DAY 5: Skipped Maxipeel solution on the red and sore spots but applied MaxiPeel solution #2 on areas that haven't peel yet. I also applied lots of moisturizer and sunblock. USE ONLY MAXI PEEL MOISTURIZER/ SUNBLOCK. Using other brands, even the very mild ones will make your skin BURN. Mahapdi kasi I think merong alcohol or chemical xa na matapang. Remember, very sensitive pa skin mo nito.
• Peeling is also very visible today. I read somewhere that you should wash your face with warm water and rub your skin gently with a soft towel in circular motion to remove the dead skin. I tried this and it works. Just avoid overdoing it. It will do you more harm than good...trust me..

• DAY6: Skipped maxipeel solution. My face is still sore. I'm beginning to have regrets. :( But I have always been an optimist. I feel that it's going to be better in 3-5 days:)

• DAY 7: Skipped maxipeel solution. I don't think I have to anymore. The only part that hasn't peeled yet is at my nape area. My skin isn't as red as it was this morning through. It's also not as scaly, dry, leathery and sore. 

• DAY 8: My neck started peeling. I made the mistake of rubbing the dead skin too much and peeling it manually. My neck is also itchy :( .I scratched it an I made several scratch  marks on my neck (as in sugat!). I had to apply concealer and makeup to hide the damage. The neck part seems to be the last to peel off. I think kasi mas makapal skin sa neck kesa sa face. Don't forget to moisturize and apply sunblock on your neck too!
• 2 weeks after first maxi peel use:

I've heard most people say maxi peel made them darker (or mas nakaka itim xa). This didn't happen to me at all. Basically, yes, umitim ako pero that was before and a few days after applying maxi peel. The skin was red and parang maitim because maxi peel prepares your skin to peel. After a week, I was back to my original skin color and tone. My skin feels a little smoother though. 

*(update!)- Recently, I've started using papaya kojic soap during the peeling stage. It burns and stings but I find the pain tolerable. It makes for faster peeling though. I have since use this soap to help with mild daily exfoliation. People have notice my skin to be a little more pinkish and translucent. Just don't skip out on the moisturizers because papaya kojic soap strips the skins' natural oils leaving you face dry and prone to wrinkles.

Would I recommend using maxi peel? 

Well... Yes and NO. It depends. If you're using maxi peel, make sure you know it takes 2 weeks to see results. Don't be quick to judge the product. Let your skin heal first before commenting. If you work indoors or if hindi ka maxado na aarawan, maxipeel is great! pero if you work outdoors in direct sunlight, good luck talaga. @_@ Apply lots of SPF and wear a baseball cap. You should even wear your cap even inside the jeepney just to be sure. It's better to be safe than sorry. :) I feel it works great on people who often have pimple breakouts and uneven skin tone. Just remember-- maxi peel should be used with caution. :)

Honestly, there are other peeling product out there to try. MaxiPeel is a bit extreme. If you just want to exfoliate or reduce mild pimples or to lighten your skin a bit without too much peeling, try to look at other products first. I'll try to post another peeling cream alternative soon. :)

Things to remember:

1. Avoid applying the astringent to areas that are already sore/ red. Give your skin a break. I noticed peeling hastens up if you skip 1-2 days from MaxiPeel.
2. Always moisturize! I'm serious about this. Go for the maxipeel moisturizer or something very mild. Anything strong will sting your face. 
3. Always wear sunblock and a hat. For me, I locked myself at home for a week. Lucky for me, I can take my job home with me. Never expose your skin to the sun. You seriously don't want to have uneven dark patches. 
4. Be patient. :) Don't rub, pull, pick or manipulate your skin. You'll only irritate your skin. 
5. DON'T use the strongest solution (#3) for longer than 3 days. Switch to a lower strength (#2 or #1) to avoid burns. 
6. PIMPLES do come out on the first week. I've read some call it purging (sign of the dirt/ toxins coming out of you system?). I'm not sure. Just don't prick the pimple. Let it dry out on their own. 
7. ITCHINESS... Yes, once you start peeling, you'll start feeling itchy. DON'T scratch! I suggest taking antihistamine or anti allergy medication during the day or before going to bed. Scratching it can lead to wounds that leave dark scar marks over time.