What are the benefits of skin peel treatments?

skin peel benefits
This chemical peel is Ideal for treatment of fine lines, hyper pigmentation, sun damage and oily skin.

As we age, we start to see a slowing-down of our skin’s regenerating process as early as our late twenties. Our fine lines penetrate deeper and deeper with every smile and every frown. Before we know it, we start to see crow’s feet forming, marionette lines getting deeper, etc. Aging is a natural part of life.

One of our anti aging treatments include a variety of skin peels. Chemical peels work by separating the upper layers of the skin causing an accelerated cell turnover rate. Because of their molecular structure, these acids are able to penetrate past the acid mantle of the skin and deep into the layers beneath the surface of the skin. This causes your skin to shed and regenerate.

Skin Peel Benefits

Typical benefits with most skin peel treatments include:

  • Increased vibrancy
  • Improved hydration
  • Intensified product penetration and absorption
  • Clearance in skin tone
  • Smooth and improved texture

What can I expect during my treatment?

Your skincare specialist begins by thoroughly cleansing your skin thereby removing any surface debris and oils.

Thereafter, an acid solution is applied using cotton swabs or a gentle brush. This is typically left on for 1-5 minutes (according to the manufacturer’s instructions).

Finally, the solution is then neutralized with cool water or a neutralizing solution such as sodium bicarbonate. Some peels, such as our salicylic peel, are left on the skin to self-neutralize and later convert into nutrients. Soothing moisture care is then applied along with appropriate SPF.

How can I prepare for my peel?

If you are using any BHA (BetaHydroxy Acid) or AHA (AlphaHydroxy Acid) or Retin A products, you must discontinue usage approximately 1 week prior to treatment.

Unfortunately, if you are currently using or have used in the past 12 months a prescription acne-clearing medication, your skin is NOT eligible for acid peels.

Without a doubt, skin peels will provide many benefits to your skin if you are eligible for treatment.


Peace, Love, and Great Skin!

Dérmica MedEsthetics
(780) 885 7108
dermica.ca

Can diabetics get pedicures?

diabetes and foot care

Can you have a pedicure if you are diabetic?

Yes, you can have a pedicure if you are diabetic. Actually, it is recommended that you maintain a regular foot care schedule.

Clients have different options when it comes to levels of pedicure treatment. Some clients may only have a need for express nail and pedicure establishments. However, certain clients may require a clinical and advanced setting for their foot care needs. At Dérmica, our menu includes advanced pedicures. Lastly, there are clients that require a medical setting where doctors and medical staff offer medical procedures.

Differences in pedicure procedure when diabetes is present

If you are diabetic, there are precautions that need to be taken when doing foot care. If you are not being asked in an intake form whether you have diabetes or not, as a client, you want to ensure that you take it upon yourself to disclose it to your service provider.

Your technician should be taking the following precautions. When doing a pedicure on a diabetic client, one should be extra careful with the use of sharp instruments and tools that can puncture the skin. This is due to the fact that most diabetics are compromised when it comes to nerve sensitivity in their extremities. Plus, loss of sensation can make it more likely for people to develop infections that go unnoticed and untreated. Therefore, extra caution with one’s tools is a must.

Diabetics can also display other conditions related to their diagnosis, such as thickening of the nail, excessive dryness and callous-building, and poor blood circulation. These things should all be treated in accordance to specific methods used for people with diabetes.

Foot care and diabetes- home care recommendations

If you have diabetes, keeping proper foot care at home in between professional pedicures will widen the gap between visits to the spa.

Home care includes ensuring that your feet are properly dried after your shower, especially between the toes. Keep your nails trimmed with no sharp edges to avoid cuts. Also, keep your feet moisturized with lotions, salves or balms to keep callouses away. Use a loofa or an exfoliating mitt to keep the feet free of excess callous.

Finally, always do regular checks to identify any cuts, abrasions, scratches, or possible signs of infection.



Book your advanced pedicure in Edmonton!
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Peace, Love, and Great Skin!

Dérmica MedEsthetics
(780) 885 7108
dermica.ca

Traveling soon? How temperature changes affect the skin.

temperature fluctuation and your skin

Returning to cold from heat

Fluctuations in temperature can change the skin. For example, when vacationing in a humid climate, your skin will plump up and look juicy, hydrated, and happy. Returning to the cold Canadian winter is not always a good thing, especially for oily skin types.

If you are an oilier skin type you may find you return with a few more breakouts. This is especially true if you continue to use your winter care in the humid climate.

Fluctuations in temperature can change the skin colour. Normal combination skin types going from humid to arid air will experience a shock. This shock will cause the skin to build the dead layer faster leading to a dry, dull complexion.

You may find that your tan goes from a hydrated look to a dull, greyish tinge. This is because the cold air is drying the top layers of the skin. Some people may start to see flaking as well.

If you do find yourself in need of professional care, we recommend getting a peel.

Skin Peels

If you have never had a peel before, you can introduce them as a ‘Boost’ to your facial or dermaplane treatment. Peel boosts are classified as mild skin acids. On the other hand, ‘deep peels’ are classified as medium to strong skin acids ranging from 20% to 85%. They are ideal for pre-treated skin and provide deeper resurfacing of the skin. While boosts are mild and require minimal downtime, deep peels require up to 10 days as they may cause visible shedding and flaking.

Retaining your Tan

Moisturizing will hep to retain the tan and keep a healthier glowing tone. NOTE: skin peels will lift the tan. If you are looking to preserve your tan you may want to consider a different treatment.

Winter Survival Tips for Dry Skin

dry skin winter

How do you fix dry skin in the winter?

Seemingly perpetual dry skin in the winter is more common than you may think. When faced with cooler temperatures, your skin’s natural response is to slow it’s metabolic rate. This includes the rate at which your skin regenerates, known as the cell turnover rate.

The cell turnover rate of your skin determines how frequently dried cells at the surface shed and regenerate. When this process slows down, you get a buildup of dead cells that result in flaking skin, fine lines, and dry patches. These layers of dead cells also block vital nutrients and moisture from absorbing into the fresh cells. This is why no amount of product seems to relieve the dryness.

Introducing regular exfoliation to your skin care routine during the winter will help increase your cell turnover rate and maintain it at an active level.

Types of exfoliation

Exfoliation is achieved using chemical or manual exfoliants. While both offer resurfacing benefits, they differ in procedure and interaction with the skin.

Manual exfoliants (skin scrubs) will give a great skin scrubbing massage while sloughing away dead skin cells. Manual exfoliants are not recommended for sensitive or acneic skin types, or for people with large pores.

Enzymatic exfoliants contain fruit enzymes, AHA, or BHA. They react with the skin on a chemical level by dissolving the binding matter between the skin cells causing them to gently lift and rinse away. The active ingredients and intensity vary depending on concentration level and quality of the acids and enzymes.

Advanced skin treatments

Photofacials and chemical peels are excellent ways to eliminate flaking skin and bring plump new cells to the surface. Amongst the many benefits these treatments offer, they also speed up the skin’s cell turnover rate, boost collagen production, resurface, brighten complexion, and restore vital moisture and hydration.

Try our Treatment Selection Guide to learn more and find the right treatment program for you.


Peace, Love, and Great Skin!

Dérmica MedEsthetics
(780) 885 7108
dermica.ca

Winter Survival Tips for Oily Skin

oily skin winter tips

Keeping your skin happy during the winter months is really quite simple…watch for the hints and DO as it asks! After all, your skin is your first line of defence and will show you who is BOSS when not tended to. 

Extra oily this winter?

Your skin is constantly fluctuating with changes in the temperature and moisture levels in the air. With the winter being a dry season both indoors and outdoors your skin is under an accelerated rate of trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), an evaporation and diffusion of skin hydration. 

Although water is what your skin requires, it compensates for the lost moisture by producing more oil. This causes a buildup of dead cells saturated in excess surface oils, clogged pores, and frequents breakouts. In order to restore your skins moisturizer balance and hydration, choose products containing hydrating (water) ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E

Stay away from heavy creams and oil based products as these will only block and clog further.

Addressing WINTER oily skin at home

Use light gel cleansers free of parabens and sulfate. A thorough cleanse in the morning and double cleanse at night gives your skin the fresh cleanse it desires without stripping away vital moisture.

Using a hydrating toner or mist. This gives your skin a boost of hydration which helps your skin absorb moisture from deeper into the skin.

Moisturize regularly. Using a lightweight oil-free moisturizer morning and night while skin is still moist will provide the right amount of moisture without leaving your skin feeling heavy or greasy.

Spa treatments for WINTER oily skin

Photofacials, chemical peels, and traditional facials are a great way to give your skin a fresh start, balance pH levels, and deliver a much needed boost of nutrients for the season. They also help clear clogged pores, excess oil, remove painful blemishes before they spread, and diminish existing scars.

Try our Treatment Selection Guide to learn more and find the right treatment program for you

Peace, Love, and Great Skin!

Which skin conditions is BHA used to treat?

Which skin conditions is BHA used to treat?

What is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA)?

BHA is used to treat a variety of skin conditions. It is an organic acid derived from willow bark. In the skincare industry it is known as a chemical exfoliant. The ph level of this acid is typically between a ph of 3-5.

BHA is considered to be a fat soluble solution. In other words it dissolves in fats. As a result, it can break through the lipid layer which is the oil layer of the skin. For that reason, it is recommended for oily and acne-prone skin types.

However, that is not the only use for BHA on the skin! It is also a recommended treatment for sensitive skin types because it has a lower risk of irritation versus other types of acids.

How does BHA interact with the skin?

BHA produces exfoliating benefits by dissolving the build-up at the surface of the skin which then balances the oiliness of the skin. It is also able to penetrate into the pores which then dissolves the build-up in clogged pores.

It treats conditions that involve scaling or overgrowth of skin, like milia.

BHA helps with milia because it has resurfacing properties. So, not only does it help remove excess oil on the skin, but it helps to exfoliate by removing the dead skin cells so it dissolves the binding glue or the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together so it reveals a fresh new layer of skin at the surface which then pushes impurities up to the surface such as milia and deep acne.

Anti-inflammatory properties

BHA also has anti-inflammatory functions which makes it a suitable treatment for inflamed acne and/or rosacea. Compared to other acids such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid has a more superficial affect on the skin by interacting mainly with the lipid layer.

In other words, it is not as irritating because it won’t penetrate as deep. However, it will promote exfoliation which in turn promotes cell growth. These new skin cells have been strengthened by that process and so the skin is improved overall.

Finally, BHA is also very good at treating Keratosis pilaris which a is a condition that affects the back of the arms and legs.


Peace, Love, and Great Skin!

Dérmica MedEsthetics
(780) 885 7108
dermica.ca

Get in Touch

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10518 82 Avenue NW, Edmonton / Get directions
(780) 885-7108 bookings@dermica.ca