Introduction
Day in and day out, our skin takes a lot of abuse. The sun is our biggest enemy, sending a relentless barrage of harmful UV rays causing skin to prematurely age and wrinkle. (And we’re still sun-worshippers—go figure!) Environmental pollutants stress the skin even more. Add on the effects of aging, and it’s no wonder that we look in the mirror and see wear and tear that we’d like to reverse.

More and more women and men look to Skin Care Clinics for skin revitalization and resurfacing to regain a fresher, more healthy and young-looking complexion. Chemical peel, one such revitalizing treatment, is extremely popular; thousands of chemical peels are performed by Aestheticians each year. In fact, it’s cited as one of the top five cosmetic procedures for women. The results of a chemical peel can be very impressive.

There are different types of chemical peels which produce different results, but all are similar in this respect: a chemical solution is applied to remove the damaged outer layers of skin so that new, regenerated skin replaces the old. As a rule, the deeper the peel, the more profound the results and the longer the recovery time.

Light Peels
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) include glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids, and are mild chemical solutions that lightly peel skin, often resulting in brighter-looking, smoother skin. These "lunch hour" peels are often done repeatedly over time, and can even out fine wrinkling, uneven pigmentation, and smooth out rough, dry skin or a mild acne problem.

Medium Peels
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used when a medium depth peel is indicated for skin that has moderate sun damage, fine lines and weathered skin. TCA peels can correct pigment problems and superficial blemishes, and sometimes two or more treatments, spaced out over weeks or months, are required for best results. A full-face TCA peel usually takes about 15 minutes.

After evaluating the condition of your skin, skin type and the severity of discoloration and wrinkling, we can determine which type of chemical peel is right for you. Most peels can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms and legs.

Chemical Peels: About the Procedure
Skin is composed of three main layers: epidermis, dermis and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis, the surface layer, is quite thin—only 1/10 of one millimeter thick. That’s about the thickness of four pieces of paper!

A chemical peel is a procedure used to improve the appearance of the skin by removing the outermost layers so that new, regenerated skin—smoother, more even in tone, and less wrinkled—can appear. Depending upon the type and strength of chemical used, peels vary in intensity and depth. We  may choose to use a combination of chemicals for your chemical peel procedure, in effect, tailoring the treatment specifically to your skin type and its needs.

Here are general guidelines for various chemical peel types:

AHA peels
This procedure is performed in our office and requires no sedation or anesthesia. After your face has been cleansed, the mildly caustic AHA solution will be applied. The process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will experience some reddening to your face, but you may resume normal activities right away. Expect temporary flaking, redness, dryness and scaling until your skin adjusts to the treatments. You can have an AHA peel frequently—weekly, if desired.

TCA peels
The TCA peel will be performed in our office. You will not need anesthesia since the chemical solution itself has a numbing effect on the skin shortly after it is applied. Your face will be thoroughly cleansed to remove oils and prepare the skin for optimum penetration. At first, patients feel a warm or burning sensation which is followed by some stinging. As the chemical is applied, the epidermis is removed and the chemical penetrates into the dermis. The Medical Aesthetician controls the depth of penetration.

Chemical Peels: Who Is a Candidate?
People who are in good health and want to rejuvenate aging skin and erase the marks of sun damage consider chemical peel for more youthful appearing and glowing skin.

What type of peel is right for you? Your skin type and color, ethnic background and age will be factors we will evaluate. Darker skin poses special considerations due to increased risk of undesirable skin pigmentation changes. Black skin, Asian skin, and other dark complexions may become permanently discolored or blotchy after a skin-refinishing treatment.

Chemical peel can successfully treat:

Chemical peel does not:

Chemical Peels: Preparation
The deeper, more extensive chemical peels require you to be in good health. We will take your health history and you may require a routine physical exam. You will be advised of any special things to avoid or do.  You will be asked to limit your sun exposure at least a month before the peel.

Here are a few general guidelines that you’ll be asked to follow:

Chemical Peels: Risks
Chemical peel is a relatively straightforward procedure in the hands of a qualified Medical Aesthetician, but there are risks and uncertainties. You should be aware of the possible complications which include: