Cooler mornings are the first sign of fall in East Tennessee. For me and I’m certain for other moms, the change of seasons is a perfect time for a fresh start and perhaps even a little pampering. I was in luck when The Lucas Center reached out to Knoxville Moms with a perfectly timed invitation–a chemical peel with the center’s new aesthetician. While The Lucas Center located in Knoxville is best known for plastic surgery, it has a variety of popular non-surgical services as well. I jumped at the opportunity for a chemical peel partly because I’ve been dealing with post-40’s acne and my skin needs some TLC. For those that don’t know, a chemical peel offers a way to restore damaged skin by targeting and treating sun damage, fine lines, acne, acne scarring and more. The goal is healthier, glowing skin. Who doesn’t want that?
It was a breeze getting to The Lucas Center. The office is located on Fort Sanders West Boulevard, which is near the Kingston Pike and Pellissippi Parkway interchange. There is lots of parking, so I ended up being early for my appointment. When I walked into The Lucas Center office, aesthetician Elaina Hughart warmly welcomed me and whisked me back to one of the treatment rooms. That’s where we talked about my skin and how I care for my skin. I use a nightly retinol product, so on Elaina’s advice I had already stopped using it one week before my scheduled chemical peel. We talked about my goals which included reducing some pigmentation and acne scarring. Elaina explained there are three different levels of SkinMedica Vitalize chemical peels. The most basic is still effective according to Elaina, who said, “You can do chemical peel and have your wedding a week later without skipping a beat.” Level two is moderate and goes deeper beneath the skin’s surface. The third level is the most intense. With levels two and three most patients can expect some reaction, ranging from redness and swelling to peeling skin. All are completely normal. I opted for level two since this was my first chemical peel experience.
As I got comfortable, Elaina administered the first simple step. She cleaned my face with alcohol and applied Aquaphor lotion to sensitive areas like lips, under eyes and in nose creases. At every step Elaina explained what she was doing before she began—something I really appreciated. Next, she applied the first of the three Vitalize Peel steps. The prepping solution felt cool, and I didn’t feel any discomfort. Step two was the Vitalize Peeling Solution. My skin felt tingly but, again, I wasn’t uncomfortable. The final step was the Vitalize Retinol Solution, which was applied three times. It made my skin feel dry, but it did not sting. Elaina said the small amount of solution in each step is “carefully stripping away the outer layer of skin.” This allows the skin on your face to re-populate, creating a more youthful and vibrant appearance.
As Elaina wrapped up, she gave me important post-peel skin care tips. To help with the healing, she suggested TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream at night instead of my normal face lotion and retinol products. The TNS cream helps restore your skin’s moisture balance. For me, dryness and a little redness were the only side effects I experienced. The TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream came in clutch for dealing with those symptoms. The cream feels heavenly and has a light, pleasant smell. In addition, Elaina cautioned me to stay out of the sun and to apply sunscreen, which is great advice all the time! She also said it’s best to steer clear of makeup for about a week. My appointment took about an hour start to finish, time well spent because after seven days, my skin looked brighter and smoother. The Vitalize Chemical Peel did indeed give me a fresh face and fresh start to fall!
If you’re interested in learning more about The Lucas Center’s Vitalize Chemical Peels and other non-surgical options, click here. In the coming months, The Lucas Center plans to expand its aesthetic offerings so be sure to check back!
