Did you know that chemical peels are one of the best ways of improving skin concerns like sun damage, acne and ageing? Although peels are effective year-round, winter is a fantastic time to embark on a peel journey, as sun exposure is limited, allowing you to protect your post-peel skin from the sun’s UV rays, easily.
There are many different peels on the market, ranging from gentle to aggressive. Deep peels can be painful, with notable downtime and discomfort. These peels also carry significant risks, such as scarring, infection, pigmentation and slow healing.
For years, Dr Des Fernandes, world-renowned plastic surgeon and founder of Environ Skin Care, has insisted that the trauma caused by aggressive peels is not worth the results. Dr Fernandes developed Cool Peel Technology, which builds on the philosophy of light, gentle and repetitive peeling, protecting the integrity of the skin’s health while addressing a variety of skin concerns.
Environ’s Cool Peel Technology is an intelligent, non-invasive system that is scientifically-proven to safely and effectively brighten, revive and refine the skin, without any downtime. Cool Peel treatments feel cool and comfortable on the skin and can be customised according to each person’s needs.
If you have breakout-prone skin, the Cool Peel Treatments can be used to soothe and reduce inflammation, purify pores and loosen congestion. If your skin is showing the signs of ageing or sun damage, the Cool Peel Treatments help to naturally increase the skin’s cell turnover rate, which is effective in reducing the appearance of premature ageing, fine lines, uneven skin tone and sun damage.
Environ Cool Peel Treatments are proven to refine the skin’s texture, leaving it healthier, clearer and smoother.
Our editor recently visited Environ Skin Care Institute at the Renaissance Body Science Institute in Cape Town to experience the Cool Peel Technology for herself. Here’s what went down:
“I’m a big fan of chemical peels. Professional treatments are what make the difference between my skin being okay to good, and great. Like Dr Des Fernandes, I am also a big believer that chemical peels can yield very effective results without having to be harsh on the skin.
If you’re based in Cape Town, I can highly recommend visiting the Environ Skin Care Institute on Bree Street. It is such a beautiful and tranquil space, and the staff are absolutely lovely.
I visited them to experience an Environ Cool Peel just over a month ago, and the entire experience was such a pleasure. My therapist took the time to discuss my skin concerns and current routine before we started. Because it was my first time experiencing an Environ treatment, she recommended that we go with the mildest option within the Cool Peel range. ‘Mild’, however, does not mean ineffective. We’ll get to the treatment results in a minute.
Like with any other chemical peel, my therapist started by thoroughly removing my makeup and cleansing my skin to prepare it for the peel solution. After performing a couple of extractions, she applied the peel solution and said that, depending on how my skin reacted, we would leave the solution on for 10 – 20 minutes.
What made this peel quite interesting is that it needed to remain ‘wet’ on my skin for it to work. This meant that my therapist had to continuously apply the product over my face with a soft brush, which I found very relaxing.
My therapist left the solution on my skin for the full 20 minutes, noting that my skin turned a little pink (which is a good sign that the product is working), yet I felt no discomfort and could handle a longer session. It didn’t burn or hurt at all. On the drier areas of my skin (like the sides of my nose and top of my cheeks), I experienced a bit of a tingle, but it was never uncomfortable.
After 20 minutes, she neutralised the solution and made sure that all traces of it were removed from my skin. Next up was my favourite part of the treatment: a cooling mask that was applied all over my face (including my eyes and mouth!). But don’t worry – if you are not comfortable having your mouth and eyes covered, you don’t need to.
The mask was applied, and then the Environ Ionzyme® DF machine iontophoresis (low electrical current) was conducted through the masque. This incredible piece of technology uses a combination of sound waves and electric current to enhance the penetration and efficacy of Environ’s products.
The mask feels thick and gooey as it is spread over your skin, and it has an instant cooling effect. After a few minutes, the consistency hardens slightly so that it feels almost rubbery. While this was doing its job, I was treated to the most incredible foot massage, and I must admit that at this point, I almost fell asleep!
As my treatment came to an end, my therapist gently removed the mask and chatted with me about the after-care protocols. She took such excellent care of me, continuously checking if I was alright and comfortable, especially while the peel solution and mask were on my skin. It makes all the difference when you can tell someone loves their job.
I was sent home with some Environ samples to apply twice a day and was warned that my skin might flake or lightly ‘peel’ in the coming days.
I had that ‘post-peel-glow’ for about two or three days, and then I noticed that my skin was flaking. It was very mild and not unsightly at all. This lasted for a couple of days. Once the flaking subsided, my complexion looked clearer, brighter, and my skin texture felt much smoother.
I know that you’ll get the best results from professional treatments when you have them done consistently and make them part of your regimen. However, I could see a noticeable improvement in my skin’s overall appearance after just one Cool Peel.
The experience was so enjoyable from start to finish, and the increased radiance and smoother texture I experienced post-peel were fantastic.
I want to extend a big thank you to the Environ team for the hospitality and for this opportunity – I’d highly recommend it!”
Anien – Editor
Follow this link to find your nearest Environ stockist and book your Cool Peel Treatment.
