Hollywood Peel

I have a fetish for trying out different types of facials. I have had loads of facials and peels done before. Until now I have tried Micro Dermabrasion Facial, Hydra Facial, the Dermalogica Facial and the usual facials that you get at Spas.

Recently, I was lucky enough to try a super interesting and unusual facial treatment at DOCIB Clinic. It’s called the Carbon Peel Laser Facial, also known as Hollywood Peel and it’s like nothing I’ve ever tried before.

What is Carbon Peel Laser?

A carbon laser facial is a type of treatment for the face and claims to leave skin softer, firmer and smoother.

It is a non-invasive procedure and is sometimes called the charcoal facial or charcoal peel. It involves applying a layer of liquid carbon over the face, which penetrates deep into the pores.

A laser blasts the carbon away, with the light highly attracted to carbon particles.

It’s claimed the carbon absorbs contaminants, and when the laser destroys the carbon it gets rid of these too.

The laser is also said to remove dead skin cells, blackheads and oil.

The process is meant to exfoliate the skin, supposedly reducing pore size, evening out skin tone as well as making the skin softer and appear more radiant.

How does it work?

First my face was thoroughly cleansed and then a thin layer of a carbon mask was applied. It kind of looks like you are wearing a mud mask.

Once the mask was on, my derma came in after 15-20 minutes to use a specialized machine that targets the skin with laser light, which then activates the carbon. It kind of “zaps” or “snaps” at the mask. The sound might alarm you at first, but there is nothing to be scared of. It’s almost like a magic show, because as your skin is getting zapped by the laser, the carbon just disappears off your face (vaporizes).

As soon as the carbon is activated and peeled away, it carries with it every speck of dead skin, dirt, and dried-up oil that are enlarging your pores and roughing up your skin.

Trust me it’s not as scary as it might seem to some. It can be a bit uncomfortable. I would describe what I felt during the entire session as tiny rubber band stings.

The first laser is used to somewhat exfoliate the skin, and the second is used to “peel”. By doing all this my pores were able to open up, unclog and then finally shrink.

The results are supposed to be seen immediately as I have read in other reviews but in my case, the results weren’t too visible immediately after the treatment unlike other facials. I was told that it might take a week to see visible results. My skin felt rather rough until almost two weeks after the treatment. I finally had to use the Pixi Beauty Peel for a smoother skin.

To be honest, the only difference that I noticed after this treatment was that my pores have shrunk in size and my T-zone felt less oily. I really didn’t have many blackheads so I can’t speak about them. The dead skin build up has reduced remarkably. This treatment had no effect on my milia and blemishes. I know I can’t expect any magic in 1 session alone.

The only problem that I had after the facial was redness. I felt slight burning sensation and itchiness on my cheeks till a day but the doctor had prescribed a mild steroid cream for the redness to be used till three days and that helped a lot.

I would recommend this sort of Carbon Peel only to people who have oily skin & clogged pores. Someone who wants a more Hydrated and Glowy skin right after the facial would not be the perfect candidate for Carbon Peel. The other facials like hydra facial and micro Dermabrasion had given me better results and a glowing, smoother skin in the past. Strangely enough, my facial hair turned Golden after the Carbon Peel. I don’t remember reading that anywhere. 

There’s a lot of after care needed post Carbon Peel. You should avoid wearing any makeup for at least 24 hours and for best results give your skin a break from makeup till three days after the treatment. You shouldn’t wash your face  with a soap till three hours. Your skin would be very sensitive to sun after the Peel, so avoid the sun and sunscreen is a must. Don’t use any moisturiser for a few hours after the treatment.