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 *Disclaimer: Individual results may vary from patient to patient based upon the circumstances and the patient’s specific situation, as well as the time taken to see final results.

Chemical peel is a term used to describe applying unique concentrations of special chemical substance on skin which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

The chemical peel is one of the oldest cosmetic procedures in the world, and was performed in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to help people achieve smoother, more beautiful skin. Today, chemical facial peels are popular because they offer nearly immediate results and can be performed as an outpatient procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The skin on any part of the body (like bikini, underarms, elbows and knees) can be treated with a special mix of the chemicals used in mild and medium skin peels.

The chemical solution for body chemical peels is typically comprised of a combination of trichloroacetic acid (the main ingredient in a medium-depth skin peel) and glycolic acid (the main ingredient of a mild peel). The solution for body chemical peels is typically formulated to be slightly stronger than the chemical solution used for light or medium facial skin peels.

As with facial chemical peels, body peels address the effects of sun damage, even out skin pigmentation, and improve skin texture. Chemical peels can also be used on the body to minimize stretch marks.

No anesthetic or sedation is necessary, though patients may request a local anesthetic to alleviate discomfort.

In general, patients only feel a mild stinging sensation during light or medium chemical peels. After the procedure, the physician may prescribe a mild pain reliever to relieve any discomfort.

Chemical peels remove the outer layers of skin to reduce or eliminate the appearance of a number of skin imperfections and conditions. After a patient undergoes a skin peel, the treated layers of skin gradually flake away, revealing a fresh new layer of skin.

Once your skin heals, you will see the results. Healing time ranges from 1 day for a refreshing or lunchtime peel to 14 days. To get the results you seek from a refreshing peel or lunchtime peel, you may need to have 3 to 5 peels.

Most results are not permanent because our skin continues to age.

With any peel it is important to know what’s possible so you can keep your expectations realistic and spare yourself disappointment. Chemical peels in any form cannot remove or reduce the appearance of blood vessels on the skin, they cannot change the appearance of enlarged pores, they do not have an effect on keloidal (raised) scarring, they do not work as a face-lift, and they have some benefit for improving skin discoloration for those with darker skin color. They can make skin smoother, help fade brown spots and an uneven skin tone from sun damage, and generally make skin’s surface look fresher and younger. Having peels done on a regular basis (say, every 6-8 weeks) will lead to collagen stimulation that improves the appearance of wrinkles.

There are definite drawbacks to consider with peels, but this is largely dependent on the type and depth of peel. Superficial peels have few associated risks but also offer less noticeable results. Some redness, swelling, and increased skin sensitivity can occur with superficial peels. You may also experience a period of intense flaking as the old, damaged skin is replaced by fresh, smooth new skin.

When significant results are desired, complications increase proportionately. Medium peel has rare complications can include scarring, infection, temporary changes in skin color (and cold sore breakouts for those with a history of cold sores.

In the hands of our dermatologist who has experience with chemical peels, side effects tend to be mild. Some patients develop:

  • Persistent redness that may last for months.
  • Temporary darkening of the skin.
  • Lighter skin color (medium peel).
  • Scarring (very rare when peel performed by a dermatologist, and common when done by beauty therapist).

If serious side effects occur, it is often because the patient did not follow the dermatologist’s instructions. Your risk for developing an infection or scarring increase dramatically if you:

  • Fail to protect your skin from the sun.
  • Fail to care for your wound as instructed.
  • Scratch the treated skin or pick off a scab.
  • Apply makeup before your skin heals.
  • Don’t heed your dermatologist’s advice and use a tanning bed or other type of indoor tanning.

To maintain results, you can repeat mild and medium chemical peels. Our dermatologist can tell you how often you can have a repeat treatment.

We chose the best products to our patients that most typically contain either alpha hydroxy acids (an AHA such as glycolic acid), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid, also known as BHA), tricholoracetic acid (TCA). Each of these are categorized by the concentration and the resulting depth of the peel on the skin which can range from superficial (also known as micro or light peels) to medium. Results are closely linked to the depth of peel performed. Superficial peels (typically those using low concentrations of AHA or BHA) offer far less dramatic improvement than medium (usually TCA) do. Overall, you can expect minor to major improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, skin discolorations, skin texture, rebuilding of collagen, removal of blackheads, and a temporary reduction in excessive oil production.

Worldwide, Dermatologists have been performing chemical peels for more than 50 years, with an excellent safety record.

Even people who have skin of color can safely have a chemical peel — but they should see a our expertise dermatologist in using chemical peels to treat darker skin tones. Without this knowledge, people who have skin of color (i.e., African American, Asian, Latino) can develop permanent pigment problems.

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