Dr Karen Soh, medical director at Prive Aesthetics, shares what BHA can do for your skin, and how to care for your skin after a chemical peel treatment.
Winning Letter
I have oily skin with lots of blackheads and clogged pores. Can skincare with AHA and/or BHA help reduce these issues? – Joyce Yin
The cell-turnover process, where old cells are shed from the skin surface as new cells move up to replace them, takes around 28 days. But this process slows down as we age, and when that happens, dead cells tend to accumulate, leaving skin dull and rough – and congested with comedones.
Skincare with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliates skin and removes the dead cells quickly.
As you have oily, congested skin, you should use BHA, which comes in the form of salicylic acid. Unlike AHA, which is water-soluble and good for normal to dry skin, BHA is oil-soluble, which means it can go through sebum on the skin surface and into the pores to remove dead skin cells.
To prevent clogged pores and breakouts, try ZO Off ects TE-Pads Acne Pore Treatment ($107). It exfoliates with salicylic acid, glycolic acid and botanical extracts.
My face and body feel itchy every now and then throughout the day. What can I do? – Lim Seow Peng
A common cause of itchy skin is dryness. You could also be allergic to skincare ingredients, or fabrics. For itchy skin on your face, switch to products made for sensitive skin, like Cliniccare EGF Extra Pure Serum ($160.50), which has ingredients like green tea extract to soothe and hydrate, regulate sebum production, and boost collagen production.
Itchy skin has various causes, so it is always advisable to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
How should I care for my skin after a chemical peel? – Nur Aisyah
Chemical peels improve skin texture by removing the damaged layers with acid solutions. This creates a wound, and allows the skin to regenerate. Here’s what you need to do after a chemical peel:
• Do not use any exfoliating products. They will irritate your skin further and may even cause scarring.
• Moisturise skin with a calming mask or products that help to reduce irritation. To help with healing, apply Calecim Professional Serum ($160.50) to help speed up skin renewal, reduce the look of fi ne lines and dark spots, and soothe skin irritation.
• Keep out of the sun, use a sunscreen (at least SPF30) and wear a hat.
• Avoid picking at treated areas to reduce the risk of infection.
