Chemical Peels

Chemical peels. If you’ve shied away from them ever since that episode of Sex and the City, we wouldn’t blame you. But we’d also encourage you to know the facts before you completely nix scheduling a chemical peel. Read on.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing treatment that removes outer layers of skin to generate healthy, new (and, yes, younger-looking) skin. These chemical peels can improve or correct a variety of skincare concerns on the face, neck and hands.[1] For example:

• fine lines and wrinkles
• scars (including those from acne)
• certain types of acne
• sun spots, freckles, melasma, other pigmentation
• uneven skin tone

(Note chemical peels cannot correct deep scars; deep lines and wrinkles; or loose skin.)

What to Expect

There are varying degrees of chemical peels, utilizing different chemical formulations, but the treatment is quite similar*:

• Cleansing of skin
• Application of a chemical solution brushed on skin
• Solution sits on skin for a certain period of time then neutralized

*anesthetic and sedation are used for deep chemical peel

Light peel

• What it entails: outer layer of skin lightly exfoliated with mild acids like alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids
• Treats: dryness, acne, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone
• Downtime: one day to a week

Medium peel

• What it entails: outer and middle layers of skin removed via chemicals like glycolic or trichloroacetic acid
• Treats: deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone, acne scarring
• Downtime: one to two weeks; skin will probably peel two days’ out and continue over the course of a week

Deep peel

• What it entails: this intense peel uses phenol or trichloroacetic acid to penetrate the lower layer of skin
• Treats: deep wrinkles, scarring, sun-damaged skin
• Downtime: 14-21 days; pre-treatment plan is likely, as are post-treatment follow-up visits; those with a history of heart disease should disclose this info to their skincare practitioner

Additional Info

• Chemical peels don’t come without side effects. These can include prolonged redness (up to months at a time), temporary skin discoloration and, in rare cases, scarring or infection. Expect skin to peel, flake, sting and possibly swell. 
• Also, chemical peels aren’t for everyone: Those with a history of abnormal skin scarring or naturally dark complexion and/or skin tone or who have used certain acne treatments within the previous year, among other factors, may not necessarily be great candidates, says the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
• Yes, you can do an at-home chemical peel. Do keep in mind that an at-home peel, though milder than an in-office, professional procedure, is still a peel and can irritate or burn the skin.
• Cost: 2018 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggest a chemical peel averages $669.

Keep Reading

For more about skincare services, we recommend:

A Fresh Faced Look at Facials–and How Often You Should Get One

Color Me Beautiful: Shedding Light on LED Facials

Photo Facials: Let There Be Light

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[1] https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/chemical-peels