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Friday, August 23, 2013

ProLight Aesthetics Announces Primera Labs-Private Label Face Care

Primera Labs- The Skin Experts Choice Primera Labs, a division of ProLight Aesthetics International, is a private label-wholesale face care company that provides unique skincare formulations. The Primera Labs is a leader in skincare products formulated for sensitive, reactive skin conditions that need or want to avoid potential irritating ingredients such as fragrance, synthetic fragrances, masking fragrances, essential oils, alcohols, or parabens. All formulations are manufactured in small batches to maintain maximum freshness. To protect ingredients from light and to avoid cross contamination, products are packaged in dark amber bottles with pumps or airless containers. The founder of Primera Labs is Rita Page, Clinical Aesthetician, CIDESCO recipient, award-winning educator. Rita has an extensive background in the aesthetic industry with over 29 years experience in the fields of skincare, dermatology, plastic surgery, and product formulations. For inquiries and pricing contact : rita@prolightaesthetics.com

Friday, August 2, 2013

What is Chemical Peeling -Understanding Types of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are formulas that utilize 1 or more acids in various percentages ( strengths) and pH that is applied to the skin, such as the face, neck, hands, arms, back, legs causing a controlled destruction of the layers of the skin.  Following the application of a particular peel, there is a regeneration and remodeling period that the skin goes through producing an improvement in the skin.  Improvements in the skin can include, for example,  fine lines and wrinkle reduction, smoother texture, reduction in pigmentation, reduction in acne.

Understanding Chemical Facial Peel Formulas

The original chemical peel formulas consisted of one particular acid, such as TCA( Tricholoracetic Acid), or Phenol.   As time passed, these traditional peel or standard peel formulas were tweeked and manufacturers started to formulate "blended peel formulas" which started to include 2 or 3 different acids in one formula.  The theory is that by combining several different acids in one formula, one could have more of a synergistic effect rather than using one single acid. This synergistic effect would address several skin conditions in one formula therefore providing greater over-all results in the skin.  For example, a Jessner Formula, includes several different acids in its formula( lactic, salicylic) with resorcinol.

More recently, over the last years, there has been an introduction of what some refer to as "designer peels".  These peel formulas include not only several acids in their formula, but include other cosmetic ingredients added to boost the formula, therefore, the results.   Some of these cosmetic ingredients are meant to soothe, or calm, or hydrate the skin while the chemical facial peel is on the skin. Some of these added ingredients are included to boost the formula to help with reducing or fading pigmentation.

What About Chemical Peels that include Actives-"Cosmetic Ingredients"?

Recently there has been a surge of chemical peel formulas that include peptides and other "actives" in their formulation.   What I find interesting, and maybe it has crossed your mind, is how can a chemical peel, formulated with "peptides" or "L-ascorbic acid", applied to the skin for a period of time(for example, approximately 3-5 minutes) deliver results?   Is it the "acid" in the formula delivering the results?  Or is it the 3 to 5 minutes of the "peptide" sitting on the skin delivering the results? Proponents of designer peels, say that the acid, such as glycolic acid, has loosened the bonds of the stratum corneum, allowing the peptide to penetrate while the peel is on the skin.

Can a peptide penetrate the stratum corneum in 3 to 5 minutes? Quite possibly.   Can a peptide that sits on the skin for only 3 to 5 minutes do much good for the skin?

Here is food for thought, if we read the material that the manufacturer provides on a particular ingredient that they developed, for example, let's say,  Matrixyl, a peptide, we will notice that the results from using that peptide on the skin required using the peptide for "weeks" and not in a chemical peel that sits on the skin for only 3-5 minutes, and then is neutralized and rinsed off.     Basically all of the "good stuff, the peptide" has been removed from the skin.

Would it not make sense to neutralize and rinse the peel completely from the skin and only then, apply a potent serum with a peptide to the skin.   This serum stays on the skin.  The benefits of the peptide serum can be increased because the serum can penetrate the newly exfoliated skin and the serum remains on the skin for several hours or longer rather than 3 to 5 minutes.

Food for thought?


Rita Page, CIDESCO, Product Developer, ProLight Aesthetics International
www.prolightaesthetics.com