Chemical Peels
Improve Uneven Skin Tone with a Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses a chemical solution to improve the texture and appearance of your skin.
Chemical peels are made of alpha-hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid, or phenol. The solution is applied to the skin, removing damaged skin cells and causing the outermost layer of the treated skin to peel. The new skin that is revealed is smoother and younger-looking.
Types of Chemical Peels
There are various chemical peel solutions we can use, depending on your specific goals and needs. Your individual goals and skin type will also determine the strength of the chemical peel.
Light Peel
A light, mild, or superficial peel is the most common peel and uses a mild acid to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. This type of peel can be performed on most skin types and is often used to treat wrinkles, acne, and uneven skin texture.
These peels include glycolic acid peels, Alpha Hydroxy acid (AHA) peels, Beta Hydroxy acid (BHA) peels, and salicylic acid peels.
Medium Chemical Peel
A medium peel has a more potent acid that is used to remove the outermost layers of skin and the upper layer of the dermis. This type of peel can treat wrinkles, age spots, and acne scars. Medium peels are often performed on people with fair skin who have minimal sun damage.
These peels include Trichloroacetic (TCA) acid peels, Jessner’s solution (a combination of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol), and glycolic acid peels.
Deep Chemical Peel
A deep peel, or Phenol peel, uses the most potent acid of all the chemical peels to remove the outermost layers of skin and the upper layers of the dermis. This type of peel is often used to treat deeper wrinkles, stubborn age spots, and scarring. However, a deep chemical peel is not recommended for people with darker skin tones because it can alter and lighten skin color.
What to Expect During a Chemical Peel
Before your peel, we will cleanse your skin and apply a numbing solution to help minimize any discomfort. The numbing solution will be left on for about 20 minutes.
Once your skin is prepared, the chemical peel solution will be applied. You may feel a tingling or burning sensation during the peel, but this is normal. The depth of the peel will determine how long the solution is left on your skin.
Light peels are usually done in less than 30 minutes, while medium and deep peels may take up to an hour.
After the peel, your skin will be cleansed, and a soothing ointment will be applied. You may experience some redness and swelling after the peel, but this is normal and will subside within a few days.
You will be given specific aftercare instructions to help your skin heal properly, but it is essential to avoid direct sun exposure and always wear sunscreen when outside.
