Shed Your Winter Woes

Meet The Expert: Denise Byrnes, LME
Former President of SPSSCS

Denise Byrnes of Cleveland, Ohio, is a medical esthetician who has been working closely with plastic surgeons for 16 years. Her background includes setting up medical skin care clinics within physicians’ offices and training physicians and their skin care technicians on skin care techniques. She advises them on how the addition of a successful skin care practice within their offices can benefit both patient and physician and create long-term relationships. Denise has served on the board of the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists for many years, and served as president in 2004-2005. She continues to lecture and perform speaking engagements for many organizations each year. Denise is also the director of education for CosMedix and Results Rx.

It’s time to revitalize and refresh this winter. Proper skin exfoliation and a nutritional diet will help your skin look healthy and radiant. Denise Byrnes, licensed medical esthetician (LME) and former president of the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists (SPSSCS), answers some important questions on ways to exfoliate your skin, as well as shines light on a common misconception regarding chemical peels.

Q: How important is exfoliation, and how can I restore radiance to my skin?

A: Even if your skin feels especially thick and leathery, exfoliation should occur throughout the year—particularly as the seasons change. You can achieve sufficient exfoliation via at-home products, but for the most dramatic result, try a chemical peel performed by a skin care professional. No matter the season, always remember to use an SPF 30 as a part of your post-peel regimen.

Q: How is a chemical peel supposed to feel afterward? Does a peel work better if there is discomfort and visible stimulation/irritation?

A: A peel regenerates the skin, making it smoother with fewer wrinkles. The procedure is sometimes used on other parts of the body, including the neck and hands. Traditional chemical peels typically consist of chemical solutions applied to the skin to form flakes or blisters that eventually peel off. This painful, outdated process destroys healthy tissue, forcing the body to heal on its own. A common misconception is that peels must be painful or uncomfortable in order to work effectively. CosMedix’s chirally correct, non-traumatic peels succeed by stimulating healthy change. The revolutionary collagen stimulation enhances the skin’s appearance, resulting in a beautiful, renewed complexion with little or no discomfort.

Q: What is the cause of peel stimulation? Can this type of irritation be avoided?

A: While individual results may vary, stimulation of the skin is important because it promotes cellular turnover and the shedding of old skin. However, it is possible to experience a peel that produces minimal discomfort and downtime. Chirally correct chemical peels consist of better ingredients, less downtime and fewer side effects than do other chemical peels. No anesthesia is required with chirally correct chemical peels.