Chemical Peel FAQs

If you’re suffering from skin discoloration, rough texture, fine lines, enlarged pores and other imperfections on your skin, consider having chemical peels. One of the most popular skin treatments in the country, chemical peels remove the outer layers of the skin using a mixture of acid solutions, effectively reducing pigmentation issues and texture irregularities.

The best chemical peel candidates are those suffering with the following problems: • Light sun damage or freckling • Hyperpigmentation or age spots • Melasma • Enlarged pores • Slight scarring (due to acne, etc.) • Scaly patches and rough skin • Fine lines

While chemical peels are often thought of for the face, they are also suitable for other areas on the body, including the arms, legs, neck, chest and hands.

Chemical peels can also be used to improve the skin’s color. Thus, sunspots, age spots, and the blotchiness that can occur with birth control pills or pregnancy (melasma) can all be improved by chemical peels. In addition, the pre-cancerous skin changes that result from excessive sun exposure (actinic keratoses) can also be improved with a chemical peel. The procedure can also be used to improve acne and to treat mild scars that were caused by acne. A chemical peel will make dull appearing skin look more vibrant and revitalized. Physicians have developed many different solutions for chemical peeling in order to provide patients with a choice of treatment options. With so many different peels available, the physician and patient can select a peel designed specifically for what the patient wishes to improve and the amount of downtime the patient can allow.

A peel should be selected based upon the type of skin condition that needs improvement. If the skin changes are confined to the upper layers of the skin, then a superficial peel will be effective. However, if the changes in the skin involve the deeper layers of the skin, then a deeper and more aggressive peel will be required to obtain improvement.

The actual peel treatment itself is generally quite comfortable and easy for patients to undertake in the office. At times a peel solution will be applied for a short duration and wiped off, and other peels will be left on as a mask or clear solution that will remain on for hours and then require the patient to wash off at home. Once completed, most patients are thrilled with their new, refreshed, nearly flawless skin. However, since new lines and spots may appear over time, you will need to use the correct products at home and continue with a maintenance program to achieve the best results.

Depending upon the peel chosen, post treatment redness and peeling can be quite variable. Milder peels might only leave a trace of redness for a day, while strong, deep peels can leave one red for a week with heavy peeling (think of peeling after a bad sunburn) for a week or more. With very deep peels blisters, scabs, and swelling are also possible. Peels can be tailored to meet your specific recovery needs and desired outcome, with downtime ranging from zero to 10 days. We will advise you to stay out of the sun for at least two weeks, and to wear an SPF of 30 or higher when going outside. Some peels will allow you to wear a mineral makeup and follow a specific skincare regimen outlined by your provider. We may also prescribe you some ointments or creams to use following your peel, and in some cases they may be included as part of your peel package.