We Tried AFA Amino Acid Facial Peel

We’re all about self-care at Woman’s Way. In this issue, Rachel Spillane tries an AFA Amino Acid Facial Peel to see if it's as good for your skin as experts claim.

The Amino Acid Facial Peel was developed by American dermatologist Dr Martin Klien over 20 years ago and was then brought to Ireland by Susan Fox of Eden Beauty Group.

It was the first of its kind on the Irish skincare scene. A chemical peel that promises no downtime, relief from skin conditions such as acne and rosacea and a host of other claims – I was eager to put it to the test.

>>WHAT? Amino Acid Facial Peels, according to Eden Beauty Group, exfoliate and help retain moisture in the skin so it looks and feels soft and hydrated. The peel is also rich in amino-based filaggrin antioxidants (AFAs) which are the natural precursor to glycolic acids (AHAs). This means you should achieve similar results without the irritation or side effects, like skin sensitivity and redness, that can come with AHAs.

>>WHY? AFAs claim to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, improve mild scarring and acne as well as improve general health, tone and texture of the skin. Unlike other chemical peels, the Amino Acid Facial Peel is so gentle that it can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as microdermabrasion, IPL, radiofrequency and even on those who take Roaccutane (used to treat severe acne).

STARTING OFF

I didn’t really know what to expect before my treatment with Susan. I’ve had several facials over the years, including one botched enzyme peel (ouch!), and I felt my skin always looked the same afterwards but with lots of irritation.

Susan asked if I had any skin concerns - the answer being an emphatic yes - and so she tailored the peel to target my large pores and any skin congestion I had.

MIDWAY THROUGH

My face was cleansed and exfoliated before a cooling clay mask was applied for a few minutes. After removing the mask, Susan then applied the peel all over my skin.

And in the warm treatment room, it actually felt really pleasant. There was a slight tingling sensation for a couple of minutes and then before I knew it, the peel was off and moisturiser was being massaged in its place. The whole treatment was quick and painless.

END RESULT

It’s true that there’s no downtime needed and it is very gentle - my face didn’t look red or irritated afterwards so that was a big win for me. The appearance of my pores had been reduced considerably and my skin felt nicely hydrated. I’m sure an ongoing course of AFA peels would see even better results but as a once-off treatment, it was pretty great.

For more information, visit bedenbeautygroup.com

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