After my post on AHAs and all the wonderful things they do for hyperpigmentation, I wanted to take my chemical exfoliation to the next level.
How? By doing my own at home chemical peel. I've long been intimidated by doing my own chemical peel because things can go very wrong, very quickly. The last thing in the world I want is a chemical burn! But I currently live in Vietnam, and the options for reputable dermatologists and licensed skincare professionals are slim to none, so I decided to research and take matters into my own hands.
Chemical peels have long been a mainstay treatment in the skincare world. Peels provide super power exfoliation, resulting in an even, smooth, and glowing complexion. Fine lines, blackheads, and acne are all skin issues that can be drastically improved with chemical peels.
There are five main types of acids used for chemical peels: glycolic, salicylic, lactic, mandelic and TCA. Each of these acids have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some are better for certain skin types, and some have different effects on the skin.
Armed with this information, I decided to buy two peels, the 25% and 40% mandelic acid peels from Makeup Artists Choice. I have found Makeup Artists Choice (or MUAC for short) have the best, and most comprehensive selection of at-home peels, and excellent customer service. I went with mandelic acid because I'm already using the 15% serum from Vivant skincare, and I also love how mandelic acid is better suited for women of color since it doesn't discolor the skin. I'm not trying to have my face a different color than my body!
Photo Credit: Sheryll Donerson
Steps for My Own At-Home Chemical Peel Experience:
- I removed my makeup with an oil cleanser and washed again with a gentle foaming cleanser.
- I used a toner to ensure that my face was completely clean.
- I then poured a small amount of the 25% mandelic acid on a cotton pad and lightly swabbed it onto my skin in an upward motion. After a couple of seconds, I felt a slight warming and tingling sensation, but it was not uncomfortable.
- The instructions said to keep the mask on for 3 to 5 minutes, so I set a timer for 4 minutes, as I'm used to acids, but didn't want to risk keeping it on too long and damaging my skin.
- After the 4 minutes was up, I washed my face again with a gentle cleanser, taking care to make sure my entire face had soap on it and was rinsed off completely. I then pat my skin dry using a clean towel.
- I followed up by applying a hydrating toner/essence, moisturizer and facial oil.
- In the AM, I applied a heavier day cream than normal, and made sure to use sunscreen. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable if you are doing chemical peels. AHA peels make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and you risk damaging your skin if you don't use sunscreen.
I could see and feel a difference in my skin immediately after the first peel. It looked bright, and felt extremely soft and smooth. I had to keep myself from rubbing my cheeks! The stubborn acne scars I had left are finally fading, and overall, my skin's appearance and texture has changed for the better.
I had a couple of days of very minor dryness and slight peeling around my nose and chin when I did the peel for the first time, but I just made sure to take care of my skin with some extra hydration. After about 6 to 8 weeks, I'll move up to using the 40% mandelic acid peel. Considering professional peels can cost upwards of $500 or more, I'm thinking for me, at-home peels are the way to go.
If you decide to do an at-home peel, there are some steps to take to make sure your experience is as smooth as possible. Do not use any scrubs or cleansing brushes within 24 hours of doing a peel. Stop using Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide, or any drying, harsh acne treatments at least 24 hours before a peel.
If you are hesitant about the effects of a peel, do a patch test on the skin right behind your ear, and wait 48 hours. If you do not have irritation, you may continue with your peel. And lastly, always follow the directions for the peel to the T. This is not the time to skip steps and take shortcuts.
Before you decide to do an at-home peel, please read all available information and consult your doctor. Chemical peels are a very serious skincare tool, and if done improperly, can result in chemical burns. I am not a medical professional, and can only give advice and opinions based on my personal experience.
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Now, with more than 20 years of experience in professional aviation, starting with American Eagle Airlines and then on to becoming a captain at American Airlines, she has continued to pay it forward. In 2022, she made history as the first commercial airline captain to lead an all-Black, women-led flight crew. She has also written a biography on Bessie Coleman, the first African-American and Native-American woman to earn a pilot’s license, and produced and directed, Discovering Bessie Coleman, working alongside the family to get the project completed. Add to that her role as a founder of consulting firm LadyAv8rBeth, which offers a guide of pathways into aviation, and as a podcast host covering all things aviation.
For Women’s History Month, xoNecole caught up with the busy pilot, in between flights, to talk about her career journey, her role in a Bessie Coleman documentary and book, how she balances self-care and safety, and how other Black women can add to the aviation legacy:
xoNecole: You’ve built an successful career in aviation. And you were only 15 and already had your first flight. Were you afraid at all, or did it feel like second nature to you?
Beth Powell: It felt completely natural. There was no fear, just excitement and curiosity.
Now, it’s what they call STEM, and my teacher at the time thought that I was really good at numbers. He recommended three career paths, and I tried the first one.
I didn't understand why it made sense back then at 15, but as I grew up and met other pilots, I recognized that the reason I liked math and physics was that we were technical learners. So we like to break things apart and put them back together. We like to check procedures. We like to write manuals. We were technical artists.
xoN: That’s such an important message. Many young women and girls are often discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM or aviation, so it’s incredible to hear your story. Now, fast forward a bit—how did you transition into your corporate career with larger airlines?
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BP: After that first discovery flight, I quickly finished my high school classes and graduated at 16. By 17, I had earned my private pilot’s license, and by 18, my commercial license. Then, I moved to the U.S. to attend flight school in Florida. While working on my degree in professional aeronautics, I began working for American Eagle Airlines at just 21. Over the years, I’ve built my career and have now spent 25 years in the airline industry, including 14 years at American Eagle and 11 years at American Airlines. In terms of leadership, being a captain is key.
As a captain, I’m responsible for the aircraft, the crew, and the passengers. It’s a huge responsibility, and you learn a lot about leadership when you’re in charge of so much.
Being a captain definitely teaches you leadership. You’re in charge of every aspect of the flight from the moment you sign in to the moment you sign out. From overseeing the crew to managing the safety and well-being of passengers, you have to make quick decisions and take responsibility. Even when you’re starting out as a first officer, you’re learning vital leadership skills that prepare you for the captain role.
xoN: There's a lot going on with airlines right now that might make someone feel afraid in terms of some of the tragedies that have recently happened. How do you sustain your self-care balance and your resilience in the aviation industry when those sorts of things happen?
BP: I truly believe that aviation is still the safest and the No. 1 safest means of transportation. I say that proudly. For any airline, any pilot, any air traffic controller—anyone who works in the industry—safety is our number one priority. However, of course, we see things happening in the news, and it is concerning to passengers.
What I'm telling everybody to do right now, including myself, is that it's very important to have your source of strength. I'm a Christian, and one of my sources of strength is prayers. I go deep within my prayers every morning, and I pray to God, giving things that I can't control to him, and the rest— I can do my best to deal with.
No. 2 is meditation on the Deepak Chopra app. Ever since COVID happened, that was the first time I thought that I needed something more than just my prayers to help me go through to calm down the noise around me.
And last but not least, I'm really big on self-development. I read, I read, and I read. If your foundation is strong, you have something to build from. And so, when I read, I learn a lot about myself. I learn about what triggers me and when something triggers me. I literally hear the Kendrick Lamar song, "TV Off" in my head, because sometimes you need to shut the noise off.
xoN: That's amazing—the combination of faith and just being excellent at what you do. Now, how did you get involved with the Bessie Coleman project?
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BP: I sit on the board of advisers for an organization called Sisters of the Skies, and was at a gala celebrating with all our Black women of our achievements. At the end of the night, Dr. Sheila Chamberlain walked up to me. She was the first Black woman U.S. combat intelligence aviator in the Army. So, if she's walking up to me, it's very serious. She said, ‘I have a favor to ask.’ I said, ‘Yes.’ I did not hear what the favor was. I didn't know what she was going to ask me, but somebody like that walking up to you saying, ‘a favor’? The answer is yes.
She told me [the project involved] helping the Bessie Coleman family elevate the story. ‘I'd like you to ask your company if they will do a flight in honor of Bessie Coleman.’ I went to the different departments at American Airlines, and the rest was literally history. We did that flight on August 8, 2022, and it became a historical flight because everyone on that flight, from the ground up, was a Black woman.
Gigi Coleman, Bessie’s grand-niece, was also on that flight. We started chatting at the end of the flight. Another night, we were hanging out—Sheila, Gigi, and I—and she kept telling me she wanted to write a book, that she wished there was a movie, and that people approached her about it. Nothing had been done as yet. And I thought, sounds like another mission.
I literally took it on. We do have a documentary with the family sharing their perspective of who Bessie Coleman is. And we do have a book called Queen of the Skies.
xoN: For the young women who are looking for career paths in aviation, what are some skills they need to thrive?
BP: While you don't necessarily have to love math to be a pilot, technical knowledge is important. You’ll need to understand aircraft systems and aerodynamics. This includes weather patterns and instrument training. It might seem daunting at first, but the great thing about flight training is that it builds on itself. The more you learn, the more it all clicks. Also, aviation is constantly changing, and you need to be adaptable.
It’s a field where you need to be ready for anything, from unexpected weather to technical issues. Being open to learning new things and adjusting to change is crucial.
My daughter, who has her private pilot’s license, once said, “This journey is both challenging and rewarding. I feel like I’ve grown so much since starting.” It’s important to keep going, even when it gets tough.
To help others, I’m outlining how they can go from “zero to hero” as a pilot. I offer this information freely on my Instagram account, and it’s something I’m passionate about sharing. I want everyone to have access to the resources they need to follow their dreams.
For more information on Beth Powell, the Bessie Coleman documentary, and aviation career resources, visit LadyAv8rBeth.com.
Featured image courtesy