REVIEW: 5 reasons you’ll love the optiphi retinol peel

If there’s one thing women are all too aware of, it’s the affects ageing have on our skin. If you, like us, have been looking back at your varsity photos, envying your smooth 20-year-old complexion, we might have just the treatment to get your skin back to its former wrinkle-free glory.

Unfortunately, a good night cream and eye cream will only keep your skin looking younger for so long. For long-term noticeable results, you’ll need to dig a little deeper in your beauty arsenal.

While you don’t have to go to the extremes of getting a facelift, lesser non-invasive treatments like chemical peels can be done during your lunch hour, and the best part is that they are affordable.

I was very reluctant to do a chemical peel at first, I had these visions in my head of my face being raw and red after the treatment, nervous that I’d need to lock myself in my room for a couple of days.

While there are some side effects when doing a chemical peel, it’s nothing as drastic as I had envisioned.

It has been one week since I’ve had my optiphi retinol peel with Yvonne Harding from Rejuvonne laser and skincare clinic in Boksburg, and I can honestly say that I am blown away by the results after only one treatment.

My face didn’t look anything like I thought it would after my treatment, it was a little sensitive the day after the treatment, felt almost like it was sunburned, but not raw at all.

Day three was the worst – this is when my face started peeling. Yvonne explained during my treatment that this is bound to happen, and that it’s really important not to pull on the dead skin cells – as hard as it is, you just need to leave them be otherwise you can damage your skin.

Another important note here is to avoid the sun for 7 to 14 days after having your treatment, and if you do go in the sun, to always wear sunscreen on your face.

ALSO READ: Chemical peels, botox, fillers: What you need to know before booking a treatment

How the 2% retinol peel system works

The great thing about this treatment is that you can get it done during your lunch hour and still go back to the office (albeit with a shiny face, but luckily with the era of masks we live in currently, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue). The treatment itself only takes about 20 minutes, if that long, to complete.

The optiphi retinol peel is an advanced-strength peel with a double action retinol focus.

This peeling system includes 2% medical grade pure retinol in an advanced delivery system for enhanced skin absorption, a bio-retinoid to magnify the physiological effects of retinol on cellular systems, powerful soothing actives and anti-oxidants to deliver a multi-dimensional skin treatment.

This treatment not only protects your skin from damage and ageing, it also improves your skin texture, increases collagen and helps improve elastin. This treatment is also great if you want to reduce the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes and mouth and it reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation from sun damage.

I can already see amazing results after only one treatment, but Yvonne recommends between five to eight sessions depending on the result you are after.

Who is this treatment best suited for?

The optiphi retinol peel and skincare products are suitable for all South African skin types. The optiphi retinol peel is ideal for clients with mild to severe photoaging, acne and acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and age spots.

Click here for info on the optiphi range of products.

Do I have to use the expensive products after the treatment?

When you go for your retinol peel, you’ll get sample sizes of the products needed to care for your skin after your treatment.

Once those samples are finished (they should last about three to five days), you should ideally continue with the range, but during these tough financial times it’s not possible for everyone to splurge on expensive skincare products.

Yvonne says you can go back to using your previous skincare regime after your retinol peel if you’re not able to afford the recommended products.