Chemical peels are solutions which are applied to the skin in varying concentrations to treat surface damage. Most skin damages due to the accumulated effects of the sun. Many of us were sun worshipers, when we were younger, enjoying our tans but oblivious to the consequences. Now that we are older, we're seeing the long-term effects. These include increased roughness, mottled pigmentation, loss of elasticity, and increased wrinkling.

Chemical peels in one form or another have been used as long ago as ancient Roman times. Women would apply soured wine to their skin. The chemical peels that we use include glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The type of acid and concentration applied varies as to how deep the sun damage is. Our aesthetician, Jeannie Kennedy, will evaluate your skin during your consultation to ascertain the best approach for you. Chemical peels are sometimes used as a sole treatment, but can be used in combination with microdermabrasion as well as intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.

Chemical Skin Peel: Light to Medium

Skin peeling involves an application of a chemical solution to sun-damaged, unevenly pigmented, and finely wrinkled facial areas. The procedure is meant to diminish imperfections by peeling away the skin’s top layers. It has proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure; see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics. Chemical peels vary according to their specific ingredients and their strength. Depth of peeling action may also depend on factors such as how long solutions remain on the skin and whether they are lightly applied, or more heavily or vigorously applied.

Chemical Skin Peel: Deep (Phenol) Peel

A deep chemical skin peel, or phenol peel, is the strongest of chemical peels, and is reserved for individuals with deep wrinkles from sun exposure or is used to treat skin wrinkling around the lips and chin area. The procedure diminishes imperfections in sun-damaged, unevenly pigmented, or coarsely wrinkled facial areas by peeling away the skin’s top layers.