Peel Diary
In May 2006 I went for my first cosmetic consultation. Cosmetic surgery seemed the antithesis of all I subscribe to and I was certain that for a short-term gain there would be hell to pay! Months before I had experimented with cosmetic acupuncture, the 'acupuncture facelift', which I believe worked, subtly, for a short while with definite systemic benefits, but I was perplexed by the 'droop and grump' attaching to my expression and which I suspect goes hand in glove with the ageing process. Also there were thread veins, pigmentation, thinning of skin, even growth of eyebrow hair! - not the sort that requires routine plucking or waxing, but growth of the brows themselves! And as fast as I battled one front another would crop up. But maybe you know this one?
So eventually I found myself in a Harley Street waiting room, conflicted, feeling I was letting my sex down. Angelica was, however, patient with me and curious about my misgivings, enquiring. I asked what she thought would help and she said that I might try (amongst other things) a peel, that it was too soon for a lift.
I went away from that visit and searched the web for more information, I remembered the mention of 'Enerpeel'. I was attracted to this kind of treatment as it appeared to be a gradual and kinder process, it wouldn't involve my taking time off work. I was actually able to attend in my lunch break if I wanted to as I work close by. There would be four sessions at fortnightly intervals.
Prior to the first peel, which I decided to go for in October as there would be less risk of sun damage at that time of year, Philippa, Angelica's right hand, sent me some preparatory cream to use twice daily in readiness for the first session. I became rather fond of this cream and eventually learned to use it as sparingly as prescribed! I was a little nervous as I lay on the couch waiting. I did my best to shut out the notion that my face would come off.
The process was swift and, in my experience, painless. I did have a slight tingling and tightening before the timer sounded, but there is really nothing more to say than that, other than the general sense of being pampered. About 15 minutes later my face looked back at me from a mirror in John Lewis and apart from a rosy glow, there was nothing to show. On the train going home I felt a stickiness and looked forward to a lukewarm splash.
In the two weeks that followed I was becoming aware of just how dry my skin was. Had I not been using the cream, I daresay it would have flaked and felt uncomfortable. However, once applied, this marvellous elasticating product did its work and within half a minute my skin felt pretty good. I tend not to use oily foundation but rather a powder blusher onto bare skin, so I juggled with new make-up techniques, which was fun. Nothing at this point of note to report in terms of transformation or even improvement.
My next session in fact followed about 12 days later and this time the peel formula remained on my skin for a little longer, graduating from 2-3 minutes. Again, it was painless, apart from a warming sensation rising to tingling. If anything I looked as though I had spent an hour in the sun, with a flush to my skin which wasn't unattractive. Was I imagining it or was there less pigmentation?
A fortnight later came peel 3, at which point I knew the ropes well enough to ask for certain sections of my face to be concentrated on. Angelica felt that it would help to work on the lines around the mouth and on my forehead and we did this, as well as the full face and under eye, working for a full 4 minutes this time. I was used to the sensation but expected to feel a little uncomfortable as we were working down through the layers, but I can only report that the sensation of tingling and warming was the extent of my discomfort, and maybe that's too strong a word.
Over the next fortnight it was business as usual with my fastidious application of the fabulous cream. Philippa was at pains to explain how important it was not to over-do it, as it is rich and affecting. I was used to whacking on my moisturiser and it was a while before the penny finally dropped little is best.
From this point on the effects of my treatment were beginning to show. I had marked reduction in pigmentation and very definite softening of laughter lines. For a few hours after the third treatment my face was really bright and shiny (maybe a little too shiny had I a dinner date!). I sat in front of my magnifying mirror and was stunned at the transformation. Without question my skin was clearing, losing its crepe texture and what was light brown pigmentation had become pale pink, had even disappeared in places.
When I went for my last session there were mince pies in the waiting room - nearly Christmas! Then into the treatment room for another 4 minute session, with a shorter time on my neck. During this, the last, treatment Angelica explained that I was responding particularly well to peeling and able to tolerate fairly long sessions. I'd suffered little or no side-effects and she could see that my complexion had vastly improved; she commented several times on the fact that the lines around my mouth had reduced and softened. I cannot say that my work colleagues have noticed though, but maybe that's because at work I'm wearing make-up? Or maybe at 57 I'm invisible?? I notice though and the benefits are way beyond my expectations.
I would have to say that over the weeks that I attended the clinic Philippa was charming, tireless in her explanations of what to expect and how to prep. I was always able to access her on the telephone for support and I'm extremely grateful to her and to Angelica, who it seemed to me always erred on the side of caution, who goes in for subtlety and is very kind.
It's now mid-January and I'm delighted with the way this peel has worked for me; it’s a real pleasure applying make-up and takes far less time now that there are so few patches to conceal and brighten. Also, I look fine without make-up and feel okay on bare-faced days.
Linda Callan, London
Back to Chemical Peels
In May 2006 I went for my first cosmetic consultation. Cosmetic surgery seemed the antithesis of all I subscribe to and I was certain that for a short-term gain there would be hell to pay! Months before I had experimented with cosmetic acupuncture, the 'acupuncture facelift', which I believe worked, subtly, for a short while with definite systemic benefits, but I was perplexed by the 'droop and grump' attaching to my expression and which I suspect goes hand in glove with the ageing process. Also there were thread veins, pigmentation, thinning of skin, even growth of eyebrow hair! - not the sort that requires routine plucking or waxing, but growth of the brows themselves! And as fast as I battled one front another would crop up. But maybe you know this one?
So eventually I found myself in a Harley Street waiting room, conflicted, feeling I was letting my sex down. Angelica was, however, patient with me and curious about my misgivings, enquiring. I asked what she thought would help and she said that I might try (amongst other things) a peel, that it was too soon for a lift.
I went away from that visit and searched the web for more information, I remembered the mention of 'Enerpeel'. I was attracted to this kind of treatment as it appeared to be a gradual and kinder process, it wouldn't involve my taking time off work. I was actually able to attend in my lunch break if I wanted to as I work close by. There would be four sessions at fortnightly intervals.
Prior to the first peel, which I decided to go for in October as there would be less risk of sun damage at that time of year, Philippa, Angelica's right hand, sent me some preparatory cream to use twice daily in readiness for the first session. I became rather fond of this cream and eventually learned to use it as sparingly as prescribed! I was a little nervous as I lay on the couch waiting. I did my best to shut out the notion that my face would come off.
The process was swift and, in my experience, painless. I did have a slight tingling and tightening before the timer sounded, but there is really nothing more to say than that, other than the general sense of being pampered. About 15 minutes later my face looked back at me from a mirror in John Lewis and apart from a rosy glow, there was nothing to show. On the train going home I felt a stickiness and looked forward to a lukewarm splash.
In the two weeks that followed I was becoming aware of just how dry my skin was. Had I not been using the cream, I daresay it would have flaked and felt uncomfortable. However, once applied, this marvellous elasticating product did its work and within half a minute my skin felt pretty good. I tend not to use oily foundation but rather a powder blusher onto bare skin, so I juggled with new make-up techniques, which was fun. Nothing at this point of note to report in terms of transformation or even improvement.
My next session in fact followed about 12 days later and this time the peel formula remained on my skin for a little longer, graduating from 2-3 minutes. Again, it was painless, apart from a warming sensation rising to tingling. If anything I looked as though I had spent an hour in the sun, with a flush to my skin which wasn't unattractive. Was I imagining it or was there less pigmentation?
A fortnight later came peel 3, at which point I knew the ropes well enough to ask for certain sections of my face to be concentrated on. Angelica felt that it would help to work on the lines around the mouth and on my forehead and we did this, as well as the full face and under eye, working for a full 4 minutes this time. I was used to the sensation but expected to feel a little uncomfortable as we were working down through the layers, but I can only report that the sensation of tingling and warming was the extent of my discomfort, and maybe that's too strong a word.
Over the next fortnight it was business as usual with my fastidious application of the fabulous cream. Philippa was at pains to explain how important it was not to over-do it, as it is rich and affecting. I was used to whacking on my moisturiser and it was a while before the penny finally dropped little is best.
From this point on the effects of my treatment were beginning to show. I had marked reduction in pigmentation and very definite softening of laughter lines. For a few hours after the third treatment my face was really bright and shiny (maybe a little too shiny had I a dinner date!). I sat in front of my magnifying mirror and was stunned at the transformation. Without question my skin was clearing, losing its crepe texture and what was light brown pigmentation had become pale pink, had even disappeared in places.
When I went for my last session there were mince pies in the waiting room - nearly Christmas! Then into the treatment room for another 4 minute session, with a shorter time on my neck. During this, the last, treatment Angelica explained that I was responding particularly well to peeling and able to tolerate fairly long sessions. I'd suffered little or no side-effects and she could see that my complexion had vastly improved; she commented several times on the fact that the lines around my mouth had reduced and softened. I cannot say that my work colleagues have noticed though, but maybe that's because at work I'm wearing make-up? Or maybe at 57 I'm invisible?? I notice though and the benefits are way beyond my expectations.
I would have to say that over the weeks that I attended the clinic Philippa was charming, tireless in her explanations of what to expect and how to prep. I was always able to access her on the telephone for support and I'm extremely grateful to her and to Angelica, who it seemed to me always erred on the side of caution, who goes in for subtlety and is very kind.
It's now mid-January and I'm delighted with the way this peel has worked for me; it’s a real pleasure applying make-up and takes far less time now that there are so few patches to conceal and brighten. Also, I look fine without make-up and feel okay on bare-faced days.
Linda Callan, London
Back to Chemical Peels
