A chemical peel is a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin on the face, neck, hand or sensitive area.
Chemical Peeling
Face, Neck, Hand & Sensitives Area
A chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off.
The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.
Types of Chemical Peels
Lactic Peel
As the name suggests lactic peels are derived from milk (lactose). Lactic peels are great for patients with overly dry or sensitive skin. It’s a good option for people who have had negative experiences with retinol. This peel is relatively easy on the skin, providing a gentle exfoliation that can lighten minor pigmentation or correct minor sun damage.
Glycolic Peel
One of the most popular types of chemical peel, glycolic peels are formulated with glycolic acid which as an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin while promoting the production of collagen on other skin proteins. Glycolic acid has a very small molecular size which is ideal of penetrating the skin. This is why of all types of peels glycolic peels tend to penetrate the deepest. Glycolic peels can also be formulated in different strengths.
Beta Hydroxy Peel
A beta hydroxy peel uses salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid or BHA) to address acne while also improving blotchiness, texture issues, and uneven skin tone. It’s a great peel for people with combination, oily, or acne-prone skin that have acne and post acne inflammatory pigmentation issues.
TCA Peel
TCA peels use Trichloroacetic Acid to remove old, dead skin cells from the outer layers of the skin in order to reveal new underlayers of skin that are softer, smoother, brighter, even toned, and more radiant appearance. This peel can treat a variety of skin problems including wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, dullness, rough areas, melasma, and blotchiness. TCA peels are superficial peels and commonly formulated with light to medium strength concentrations, making it a great choice for users with darker skin tones and more sensitive skin.
Pigment Balancing Peel
If the pigmentation goes lighter, the pigment is located at the epidermal skin layer, or if there is no change, the pigmentation is located more deeply in the dermal skin layer.
What You should know / Frequently Ask Questions
If you are using chemical peels for acne, be warned that the peels can make your skin worse in the beginning as they exfoliate your skin and bring stuff from the inside to the surface.
However, as an acne treatment, chemical peels will still take at least 2 months.
Gentle peels can be derived from both alpha and beta hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid).
This is safe in pregnancy and for most skin types.
TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels, jessners, and salicylic acid peels, and peels which contain a combination of ingredients, can be found at your dermatologist’s office.
Breakouts after a chemical peel are normal.
Sometimes even if your skin appears healthy on the surface you can have underlying bacteria and pigmentation that has not come up yet.
Because peels accelerate you cell turnover, it is normal to have a purging phase when you first start treating the skin.
Generally, it is best to get a peel every four to six weeks.
But if you suffer from acne there are some peels that you can do every two weeks until you get the results you want.
Generally, it is a great idea to buy a series of four or five peels up front so that you can achieve the treatment results that you want.