PCA SKINTreatment Philosophy

Achieving success with PCA SKIN^® peels

We have dedicated decades to perfecting the art of achieving healthy skin with PCA SKIN^® peels. As a healthcare company, PCA SKIN^® values products and procedures that are not only highly effective, but also safe and easy to use. We strive to share the deep understandings we have gained about chemical peels; which to choose, how they function, and what to expect. Armed with this education, success as a PCA SKIN^® Certified Professional comes easily.

Becoming a PCA SKIN^® Certified Professional is the first step toward success with PCA SKIN^® peels. We require all clinicians and medical professionals to attend the PCA SKIN^® certification seminar prior to being able to administer any PCA SKIN^® professional treatments. For those who need additional practical experience, PCA SKIN^® offers continuing advanced education courses. The knowledge gained makes the physician, medical professional, and licensed skincare clinician well-suited to make peel selections for each patient. Patients sometimes come to the clinic asking for a specific type of peel. Remember that everyone’s skin is unique and the trained professional should always make the decision of which solution to apply.

Layer and leave-on

When performing PCA SKIN^® liquid peels, clinicians use varying blends of exfoliating acids in a layering technique to determine the depth of penetration to either the stratum corneum or to the deeper, underlying tissue. (Only physicians should perform liquid peels that are considered medium-depth.) This technique is possible due to the fact that PCA SKIN^® liquid peel formulations are self-neutralizing. This primarily refers to our TCA blends. Alpha hydroxy acid peels can potentially collect in the upper portions of the skin and cause surface irritation or burns due to their chemical and physical properties and percentage. PCA SKIN^® TCA peel solutions are naturally neutralized by constituents of the skin. The strength and depth of the treatment is controlled by the trained professional based on the number of layers applied during treatment. After peel application, nutritive topicals, calming agents, and broad spectrum SPF products are applied, and the patient leaves with a glowing, healthy complexion. This technique can be less stressful for both the clinician and the patient compared to peels that require timing, neutralizing, and removal. This unique PCA SKIN^® technique makes the treatment process more relaxing and easier to perform.

Retinoid peels function differently from liquid peels. These are applied in cream form and create no tingling or discomfort during application. Their effect occurs over the following few days as the skin begins to exfoliate, sometimes quite dramatically. Although the visible exfoliation can be dramatic, it is safe for many skin types and Fitzpatricks due to the fact that they are not low pH acids that have risks upon application.

Progressive approach

Consumers are often mistaken that if a little of something is good, more is better. This is especially untrue when it comes to treating the skin. Inflammation is one underlying cause of many skin conditions we work to treat, and triggering irritation and inflammation in the skin with overly aggressive treatments and products will only worsen, not correct, the situation. By treating the skin gently and infusing it with beneficial nourishing and strengthening ingredients during professional treatments, you will consistently see faster, more dramatic treatment outcomes. This supports the PCA SKIN^® progressive, not aggressive, treatment philosophy. Clinicians often think they need high percentages and aggressive solutions to get visible results. This strategy might lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), acne breakouts, and other complications. If the goal is healthy, beautiful skin, then a progressive approach is usually the best choice.

Healthy skin is beautiful skin

To achieve this goal, one needs to supplement professional treatments with a customized skin maintenance program. PCA SKIN^® daily care products containing antioxidants, peptides, MMPi, and other advanced actives are targeted for particular skin conditions. Natural skin cell turnover usually follows our four-week biological calendar like many other body cycles; however, the speed of the cell-turnover cycle slows as we age. PCA SKIN^® professional treatments increase the natural skin cell turnover. Collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans (GAG), which comprise a large part of our skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM) or support structure, also decrease with time. PCA SKIN^®’s treatments can be used to combat the visible changes that come with aging skin and can also maintain the results. For treating specific conditions, such as hyperpigmentation, acne, sensitive, and aging skin, and to maximize effectiveness, it is best to follow the schedule listed in the Frequency of Treatment chart.

Based on the natural skin cycle

Goal: to get everyone to a once-a-month maintenance schedule