The Environ Cool Peel System is an effective industry-leading system described as a new, modern facial peel to help treat the signs of ageing and problematic skin conditions without the downtime of traditional peels. Instead of the traditional aggressive acid peels which can strip away vital layers of the fragile epidermis, LACM Cool Peels use a lower concentration of lactic acid over a series of light, repetitive treatments. The aim is a more gentle but effective way to achieve healthier skin, with less redness and downtime.  

The science behind the peels

After applying the acid preparation to the skin the acid radicals (hydronium ions) start penetrating into the skin and exerting their chemical effects. First of all the acid radicals are responsible for “melting” the glue holding the plaques of dead cells of the horny layer of the skin. Then the acid reaches the granular layer; that is, a layer of keratins and ceramides and other associated chemicals that act as a protective barrier to the deeper layers of the skin. This layer has to be breached and hydronium ions are effective in doing that. 

The acid radicals penetrate into the stratum spinosum, which is the area of dying cells. When the acid concentration is either strong enough or left on for a sufficiently long time, the acid radicals will reach the layer of the growing cells of the skin (keratinocyte layer). These are the active living cells of the epidermis. Keratinocytes can release growth factors.

It is believed that the keratinocytes that are healthy are much more resistant to acid change than the keratinocytes that are abnormal. As a result the unhealthy cells are destroyed while the healthy skin cells survive. These healthy cells grow and make up the new skin - creating a healthier skin.

The acid radicals then penetrate right down into the dermis, which is where we want the effects to occur when we treat older, wrinkled skin. If there is a lot of acid in the dermis, it will cause destruction of cell walls and the contents of the fibroblast cells spill out into the intra-cellular fluid. This produces an inflammatory response to the body which leads to invasion of many fibroblasts and the eventual deposition of more collagen. The greater the concentration of the hydronium ions in the dermis, the greater the effect of the peel. For this reason, most peeling agents are stronger acids that destroy the epidermis in order to affect the dermis.

THE PERFECT ACID BALANCE

The Environ peeling preparations preserve 

as much epidermis as possible while at the same time getting the safest effective concentration of hydronium ions into the dermis. Our ranges of peels are programmed to preserve the architecture of the rete pegs of the skin, simultaneously stimulating the fibroblasts in the dermis to increase the quantity of collagen in the dermis, through the release of growth factors.

THE LACM PEEL RANGE

LACM Peels are designed to be customised to suit different skin and photo types and range from a micro–level to noticeable peeling at an effective pH of between 2.1 and 2.4. 

For a gentle peel we recommend the use of LACM 1 (2.5%) applied to the treatment area for ten minutes. A more intensive peel can be developed with LACM 2 (5%) applied with up to six layers.

By layering the peel we are increasing the percentage of lactic acid on the skin while the pH of the peel remains constant keeping the skin cool and comfortable throughout the treatment process.

LACM 3 (7.5%) & LACM 4 (10%) are medical strength peels available for purchase by qualified medical skin professionals. 

All peels should be performed on skin that has been well prepped on Environ vitamin A moisturisers for at least of three weeks.

Learn more about Environ's full range now.