​Fall is finally here! The days are starting to get cooler and the sun is less powerful, it is time to start the transition to your fall skin care. Because the skin is less exposed to UV radiation, fall marks the start of the aesthetic peel season.
Before you decide to treat yourself to a chemical peel, it is important to know which peel treatment is best for you.
What is a chemical peel treatment?
A chemical peel session consists of applying an acidic solution to your face to remove the build-up of dead cells and promote the growth of new cells. The three types of skin peels are:

1. Superficial peels: dead cells are removed from the top layer of your skin only.
2. Medium peels: dead cells are removed from the top and middle layers.
3. Deep peels: dead cells are removed from all accessible layers of the skin. A sedative or local anesthetic may be used as well as the peeling solution.

The first two types are safe for most people as they’re non-permanent. Because of this, they need to be done on a timely basis. Deep peels, on the other hand, last long periods of time and carry a higher risk. This also means they can be more than five times the price of superficial and medium peels.

Which peel might be best for you?
Lactic Acid peels are the gentlest on the skin. They are surface peels so they can be applied with little to no discomfort and downtime. Lactic peels increase skin’s hydration, reduce hyperpigmentation, fine lines and milia, also known as whiteheads.
Glycolic Acid peels are surface to medium depth peels depending on concentration and acidity. They help increase cellular turnover, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and give your skin that coveted glow. You should experience 2 to 4 days downtime depending on the peel’s concentration and the number of layers applied by your esthetician.
Salicylic Acid peels are also surface to medium depth peels used to reduce active acne, unclog pores, eliminate blackheads and reduce surface pigmentation in combination with other lightening ingredients. Depending on the concentration used, you will experience immediate blanching of the skin followed by a 3 to 7 days period of exfoliation.
TCA Acid peels are medium to deep peels used to improve texture while treating wrinkles, acne scars, enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation and melasma. The downtime for these peels varies between 0 to 7 days depending on the peel strength and the number of layers applied during the treatment.
Blended Peels such as Image’s Perfection Peel and the VI Peels are a combination of three or four acids and other ingredients such as Retinoic Acids, Benzoyl Peroxide and Hydroquinone to dramatically reduce wrinkles, acne, acne scars and sun damage. As single peels are limited to treating one or two skin conditions at the time, and not safe for all skin types, the Blended Peels are the way to go as they can be used on all types of skin color to treat every skin condition simultaneously. 
As the summer sun that you enjoyed so much has left your skin with degraded collagen and weakened elastin, skin peels will allow you to have glowing and healthy-looking skin that won't leave you reaching for foundation every morning. We recommend having at least one chemical peel annually to contribute to great skin, and Fall is the best time for you to choose!
 
Sources: www.skincarephysicians.net, vitality institute
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Summer is officially here and we are all looking forward to a long beach vacation but by October as your tan will be almost gone, a glance in the mirror may still show some darkened patches on your skin that seem to be sticking around. These brown or grayish-brown blotches, typically on the forehead, chin, cheeks, upper lip, or nose, may signal a condition called melasma.
Melasma is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy, because it is sometimes triggered by an increase in hormones in pregnant women. But while the condition may be common among pregnant women, it isn't limited to them 
Causes
Doctors do not fully understand why melasma occurs. It may be due to the malfunction of the melanocytes (the color-making cells) in the skin, causing them to produce too much color.
As a result, people with darker skin tones are more likely to develop melasma, as they have more melanocytes than people with lighter skin.
Potential triggers for melasma include:

• changes in hormones during pregnancy (chloasma), hormone treatment, or while taking birth control pills
• heat
• sun exposure
• certain skin care products, if they irritate a person’s skin

Also, there may be a genetic component to melasma, as people whose close relatives have experienced melasma are more likely to develop it themselves.

​The Solution
Treatment is not always necessary for melasma.
If hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or while taking birth control pills, have caused melasma, it will fade after delivery or once a person stops taking the pills.
For other people, melasma can last for years or even for the rest of their lives. If melasma does not fade over time, a person can seek treatment to help remove or fade the patches.
However, not all treatments work for everyone, and melasma may come back even after successful treatment.
Treatment options for melasma include:
1. Hidroquinone is a prescription cream that will help lighten the patches. Apply directly on the dark areas at night and protect your skin during the day.
2. Microdermabrassion, Chemical Peels and light therapy  will reduce the pigment discoloration on the skin.
3. Avoiding the known triggers such as

• Unprotected light exposure - wear mineral SPF indoors and outdoors
• Heat lamps, cellphones, blow driers or steam, hot beverages, long showers and saunas, aviator sunglasses or any sunglasses with a metal frame as they absorb and dissipate heat on your cheeks and eye area. 
• Irritating skin care products, especially fragranced products. Fragrance is highly irritating and mixed with sun it could cause "PHOTO DERMATITIS