What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is a procedure aimed at enhancing the skin’s appearance on the face, neck, or hands. It involves the application of a chemical solution that triggers skin exfoliation, leading to its eventual peeling. The newly regenerated skin is typically smoother and has fewer wrinkles than the old skin, although it may be temporarily more sun-sensitive. There are three fundamental types of chemical peels:

1. Superficial or lunchtime peel: This involves the use of Alpha-hydroxy acid or another mild acid to penetrate only the skin’s outer layer for gentle exfoliation. It’s used to enhance the look of mild skin discoloration and rough skin, as well as to rejuvenate the face, neck, chest, or hands.

2. Medium peel: This peel uses Glycolic or trichloroacetic acid to penetrate the outer and middle layers of skin to eliminate damaged skin cells. It’s used to improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, and moderate skin discoloration. It can also smooth rough skin and treat some precancerous skin growths, such as actinic keratosis.

3. Deep peel: This involves the application of Trichloroacetic acid or phenol to deeply penetrate the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells. The treatment eliminates moderate lines, age spots, freckles, and shallow scars. Patients will notice a significant improvement in skin appearance. This procedure is used on the face and can only be performed once.