During the procedure, an anaesthetic cream is applied to your skin as well as a light layer of water to help keep the skin lubricated. The dermatologist then runs the microneedling device over your skin, creating tiny holes in the surface. The whole procedure generally takes less than 30 minutes.

After the procedure your skin will be red, making it look like you got a bit sunburned. It will take a couple of days for the skin to heal and look fairly normal again. Results are not instant, but rather more gradual. Natural collagen growth will happen over weeks or months meaning your skin will be much improved over a longer period of time.

Some people may need to go for more than one microneedling treatment, especially if they are looking to treat deep wrinkles, stretch marks, sun damage, and major scarring.

SilkPeel

The SilkPeel infuses one or more specialised treatment serums deep into the skin where they are most effective. The solution doesn’t just sit on top of your skin as a lotion or cream would, instead the patented SilkPeel handpiece genuinely delivers the vitamins, antioxidants, and other therapeutic ingredients that your skin needs most.

After microdermabrasion, your skin will be pink and feel dry and tight for about 24 hours. It is recommended that you use a moisturiser after the procedure. Be careful about what makeup you apply for at least 24 hours the procedure. Is possible to avoid sun exposure for a few days immediately after the procedure.

SilkPeel® is designed to treat a range of skin conditions. It can –

• Treat oily or acne-prone skin
• Hydrate dry skin
• Minimize the appearance of wrinkles
• Reduce the appearance of age and sunspots

There are three types of chemical peels –

1. Superficial peel
2. Medium peel
3. Deep peel

Superficial Peel
A mild acid is used to penetrate the outer layer of skin to gently exfoliate it. This is done to improve the appearance of skin discolouration and rough skin as well as to refresh the skin on the face, neck, chest, or hands. After a superficial peel, the skin will take 1-7 days to heal.

Medium Peel
Glycolic or trichloroacetic acid is used to penetrate the outer and middle layers of skin to remove damaged skin cells. This peel is done to improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, and moderate skin discolouration. 7-14 days are required for healing after a medium peel.

Deep Peel
Trichloroacetic acid or phenol is used to deeply penetrate the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells. This procedure is used to remove moderate lines, age spots, freckles, and shallow scars. This peel is done on the face and can only be done once. Deep peels require 14-21 days to heal and the treated area will be bandaged

Chemical peels are not recommended if you have the following –

• An infection
• An active skin disease
• Cut or broken skin
• Sunburn
• Active Herpes simplex 1 sores

Women who are pregnant or nursing cannot go for a chemical peel. It is not advised to get a chemical peel if you have taken Accutane in the last 6 months or suffer from psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, or rosacea.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a molecule that has been shown to keep your skin healthy and vibrant thanks to its antioxidant properties and role in stimulating collagen synthesis.

The nutrient is naturally found in the skin’s epidermis (uppermost) and dermis (middle) layers. Like many other substances like collagen and hyaluronic acid, vitamin C declines with age. Its quantity can also be more quickly depleted by pollution, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits like cigarette smoking.

L-ascorbic acid is the active form of vitamin C that carries out the biological effects. Besides retinoids, vitamin C is probably the next most studied ingredient in skincare. Ascorbic acid has many benefits. Repeat studies have shown it helps to prevent photodamage from UVA and UVB radiation. It stimulates collagen production, serving as a co-factor for enzymes in collagen production. Lastly, vitamin C is a great lightening ingredient. It blocks tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin production.

However, vitamin C is highly unstable. It easily oxidizes in light, heat, pH change, and the presence of other ions. This has led to the development of various vitamin C derivatives that are more stable while trying to retain efficacy. However, formulation continues to be a challenge. Demonstrating ingredient effectiveness needs to occur not just in the laboratory setting or on animals, it also needs assessment on human skin.

Unfortunately, there’s a paucity of data regarding skincare ingredients in general (compared to medical dermatology), and some publications are conflicting. One study may show the benefit of a derivative, while another demonstrates no efficacy. This inherently speaks to the challenges of manufacturing L ascorbic acid, as the formulation is everything.

References
Pinnell, Sheldon R., et al. “Topical L-Ascorbic Acid: Percutaneous Absorption Studies.” Dermatologic Surgery, vol. 27, no. 2, 2001, pp. 137–142.

Stamford, Nicholas P J. “Stability, Transdermal Penetration, and Cutaneous Effects of Ascorbic Acid and Its Derivatives.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 11, no. 4, 2012, pp. 310–317.

“Ferulic Acid Stabilizes a Topical Solution Containing Vitamins C and E and Doubles Its Photoprotection for Skin.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 52, no. 3, 2005.

Lin, Jing-Yi, et al. “UV Photoprotection by Combination Topical Antioxidants Vitamin C and Vitamin E.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 48, no. 6, 2003, pp. 866–874.

Stamford et al. “Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. vol. 11, 2012. pp: 310–317.