Chemical Peel: Samantha Jones' Experience In "Sex And The City" Is Far From Reality

Samantha Jones ’disastrous skin peeling is arguably the most fetched SATC storyline. What you need to know about chemical peels has been put together by an editor.

Chemical peeling - what Samantha Jones' experience in "Sex and the City" is all about?

The news that a "Sex and The City" reboot is in the works caused joy, shock (no Samantha Jones ?!), and a lot of nostalgia among fans all over the world, but I could only think of one thing: that Samantha back then got a peel. Despite being a very successful PR manager, she has generated a lot of bad press for the peel. I'm here to put the treatment right and to reassure those who are reviewing the pre-resuscitation episode that a chemical peel (if done by an experienced health care professional) doesn't "like your face" Beef carpaccio ".

Instagram: @samanthajonessatc

"Exfoliants are a form of exfoliation," says skin expert Debbie Thomas. "Instead of using a physical peel to remove skin cells, a peel uses a chemical liquid (either acid or enzyme) to remove the dead cells." When Samantha announced that she was going to treat herself to a "refreshing scrub", she wasn't wrong. Exfoliants help remove the dead skin cells that build up on the skin, excess of which can lead to dullness, buildup, and an uneven complexion. A skin scrub can help stimulate the skin, keep blemishes at bay, and address pigmentation issues, and some can even reduce fine lines and help tighten the skin, explains Thomas.

Different types of scrubs for different skin problems

Of course, there are different types of scrubs to treat different skin problems and a good esthetician or dermatologist will know how to use the right combination of acids for you. Likewise, there are different strengths - mild (or light), medium, and strong (deep) - that result in varying degrees of "down-time," the length of time you will experience the after-effects.

"There are several ways we classify peels," explains Thomas. "The first is the type of chemical; it can be an alpha hydroxy acid like glycol, a more traditional chemical peel like TCA, or a milder fruit peel like papaya enzyme. Then let's look at the strength of the peel - 10%, 30%, or 70% - and the higher the percentage, the stronger or deeper we will exfoliate. " The last thing to consider is the pH of the scrub - the lower the pH, the stronger it will be. If Samantha's burned skin says anything, it was given a very deep peel during that fateful episode.

You should always have a deep peeling carried out by experts

In my experience, in the days after, exfoliating causes a tingling sensation, quite a bit of flaking (which isn't as bad as it sounds), and is occasionally accompanied by redness - but rest assured, I've never had anything before a peel that resembled Samantha's painfully red face. However, Thomas admits that there are some very strong (and infrequent) scrubs that can cause weeks of redness. If you choose a medium-strength exfoliator, your skin will be back to normal - only better - in three to seven days.

Thomas offers 16 different peelings in her own clinic, but avoids anything that goes into depth because she considers them to be "unpredictable". "It's a huge burden on the skin, and for some, it can cause other problems like sensitivity, pigmentation, or even scarring." The most important thing to remember when planning a deep peel is to find someone who is reputable and experienced.