max808•2mo ago

Had to pick between a chemical peel and a high frequency facial for a client with stubborn congestion

My client had these deep, stubborn blackheads that regular extractions just wouldn't clear. I was stuck between doing a 20% salicylic acid peel or a series of high frequency treatments. I went with the peel last Tuesday, focusing on her T-zone for 4 minutes. Her skin purged a little over the next two days, but by the weekend, the congestion was visibly reduced and her texture smoothed out. Has anyone else had to make this call, and what made you lean one way?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimlee2mo ago

Honestly, I would have gone with high frequency every time. A peel can be so harsh and that purging phase is rough on the client. High frequency is way gentler, it kills the bacteria causing the congestion right there, and you can do it more often without wrecking the skin barrier. I've seen it clear out those deep blackheads over a few sessions with zero downtime. Peels just feel like a chemical sledgehammer when you have a more precise tool available.

alex_king332mo ago

Ever tried high frequency on really oily skin? Wondering if it still works as well when there's a lot of sebum.

abby83617d ago

Ever cried while watching a client's face turn into a pepperoni pizza for two days straight? (Asking for a friend, obviously.) Kimlee's point about high frequency being gentler is kinda tempting, but honestly I've seen peels just annihilate those deep buggers in one go. High frequency feels like playing whack-a-mole with bacteria while the peel just nukes the whole colony. My client's purging stage was like a teenage zit apocalypse though, so maybe next time I'll try the gentler route and just schedule extra Netflix time for me.