AFA Peels

AFAs are potent, stable antioxidants and powerful exfoliants that produce little to no irritation unlike AHAs, glycolic acids, and other alpha hydroxy acids. AFAs are extremely effective against aging skin and photopigmentation (sun damage), acne breakouts, enlarged pores, and smoothes skin texture.

The unique features of AFAs:

• Promote greater moisture retention in human skin, directly related to the Natural Moisture Factors (NMF)
• Potent stable antioxidants
• Extremely powerful exfoliants, with little to no irritation

The Steps to Rapid Improvement

What are AFAs?

AFAs are a new, unique, and fully patented and cosmeceutical. In fact, AFAs, we believe, are the first cosmeceutical to be patented in this millennium. AFAs are based on the same natural acidic amino acids that serve to retain moisture in human skin. They are also potent antioxidants and extremely helpful against photo pigmentation. They are remarkably free of irritation at effective pH levels.

AFAs are the first cosmeceutical ever to utilize these valuable acidic amino acids as part of a skin care regimen.

Independent Board Certified Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons have clinically tested AFAs for over three years and there have been no adverse incidences reported as a result of their use.

"AFA" is an acronym for Amino acid Filaggrin based Antioxidants. Filaggrin is a protein that occurs in the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis. Filaggrin is a protein that occurs in the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis. Filaggrin is metabolized in the epidermis into several acidic amino acids and these amino acids are the primary agents responsible for the skin`s ability to retain moisture. They are also the same amino acids used to produce AFAs.

AFAs Have 7 Unique Advantages as Topical Anti-Aging Cosmeceuticals:

1. 1. AFAs promote greater moisture retention in human skin.
2. 2. AFAs have 3 fold greater antioxidant potency than AHAs
3. 3. AFAs are very effective antioxidants
4. 4. Patients notice visible improvement quickly (often within a few days)
5. 5. AFAs are more powerful against photo-pigmentation
6. 6. AFAs have little irritation when compared to AHAs
7. 7. AFAs are not photosensitizing

AFAs Promote Greater Moisture Retention

The naturally occurring acidic amino acids in the skin constitute what is generally described as the `primary moisture retention factor of human skin``. In heavily oxidized, sun damaged skin, acidic amino acids are markedly decreased, and moisture retention is also significantly reduced. An independent, university study described that these acidic amino acids, the same ones that are used in AFA Gels, are capable of penetrating into the stratum granulosum and significantly increasing moisture retention by as much as three fold. This logically accounts for the dramatic increase in moisture retention of the skin and would account for some of the decrease in visible lines seen with the use of the AFA Gels.

AHAs are generally viewed as exfoliants, although they have some antioxidant qualities due to single carboxyl group that is part of their molecular structure. The carboxyl group has the positively charged hydrogen ion that has the ability to combine with the singlet oxygen that is responsible for the damaging oxidation of the skin. AFAs are Tri-carboxylics; they have three carboxyl groups rather than the singlet group of the AHAs, and thus have three fold the antioxidant qualities. We feel that this may account for the dramatically enhanced anti-oxidative effects of AFAs compared to other cosmeceuticals.

AFAs Are Effective Exfoliants

AFAs are very effective exfoliants because they are able to combine a low pH with a smaller molecule size. The pH of AFA Gels is below 2.0 and the molecular weight of AFAs under 100. This is a small enough molecule to penetrate into the skin and a low enough pH to be an effective kerolytic.

Patient Selection for the AFA Program

• Patients looking to address photo damage and photo pigmentation. AFAs have shown fabulous results for patients with photo-pigmentation.
• Patients with sensitive skin. AFAs are less irritating than AHAs, and therefore can be better tolerated by sensitive patients. Still, AFAs are completely unneutralized and have a very low pH, so patients can still achieve the results that they expect.
• Patients with very dry skin. Patients that have experienced excessive dryness with the use of AHAs will often do very well with the AFA program.
• Patients with darker or more reactive skin types. Patients with African American skin or with Asian skin where there has always been a risk of hyper-pigmentation with the use of AHAs. As stated above, there have been no reports of problems in these skin types with the use of AFAs.
• Patients going through Microdermabrasion. As opposed to simply a moisturizing or ``healing` daily skin care program that most microdermabrasion companies offer, the AFA program offers a non-irritating, active, and effective daily skin care program that will enhance and accelerate the results of the microdermabrasion.
• Patients looking for something new. Although this is not a patient type, per say, this is probably the most important group of patients that can benefit from the AFA program. Patients that have been on a glycolic program for years, even if they have had good results, will at some point begin to ask what is new or inquire about what are the latest products they can use.

A suggested protocol is that patients have 6 weekly Facial applications and increasing to higher Facial strengths. Many patients continue to have weekly or bi-weekly Facial Peels long after the initial six! Returning monthly, after the initial six, is a minimum recommendation.
AFAs are not `just for women``. Although men are a bit less likely to request a cosmetic agent, they appreciate the benefits of AFAs and are avid users of these AFAs.

AFA Clay Peel

Certain rare earths (clay) have been proven to increase the effectiveness of cosmeceuticals by placing certain ingredients in closer contact with the skin.

The AFA Clay Peel combines the outstanding features of AFAs with a unique, 2 step application process that provides unparalleled results.

An AFA clay mask is applied to the skin as a first step pre-exfoliating the skin and drawing out oils and impurities in the skin. The AFA Peel, an optimum strength of the AFA antioxidant facial peel, is then applied.
Accutane patients are contraindicated, as with any peel. Rosacea patients and patients with dry, sensitive skin may not be good candidates for the Clay Peel. Patients with a history of herpes should be pre-treated with standard protocols.

• The patient should not use their AFA gel, or any other exfoliating product (including Retin A and retinols) the evening before the procedure as well as the evening of the procedure.
• Men should avoid shaving immediately before the procedure.

What you can expect:

You should experience some redness for only a couple of hours after the procedure. You will notice an immediate improvement in the smoothness, touch, and texture of the skin. Improvement in fine lines, dryness and photo-pigmentation occur after several applications, thus the AFA Clay Peel is usually recommended as a series of 6 or more, 2 weeks apart. Some exfoliation or flaking of the skin can occur for 24-48 hours after the procedure. If there is any persistent erythema or irritation, contact the clinic.

Do not mix the AFA Program with any acid skin care product. AFAs are completely unneutralized and have a very low pH. Adding AHA or BHA products to the program can cause significant reactions and should not be done.
Using the AFA Program with Retin A, retinoids, hydroquinones and other bleaching agents has not been studied.

Using AFAs with Microdermabrasion

AFAs have found a natural fit for the use with Microdermabrasion. Patients undergoing this procedure need also a skin care program that will not cause additional irritation to already tender skin.

Microdermabrasion can be performed, followed by the AFA Peel, with a light to moderate microdermabrasion and only 1-2 passes of the skin, with the Peel applied post.

Alternatively, the AFA Peel can be performed prior to Microdermabrasion, which will soften the keratin bonds between dead surface skin cells, making the microdermabrasion treatment more effective.

Recommended product users

The AFA Clay Peel is recommended for people with uneven pigmentation, fine lines, or sun-damaged skin. It can be used by anyone concerned about the appearance of their skin. A series of 4-6 treatments is recommended and it is available only through medical professionals.