How Does a Chemical Peel Work?
Chemical peels treat the skin through the process of chemical exfoliation. When you think of exfoliation, you may think of scrubs or microdermabrasion. These manually remove the outer layers of dead and damaged skin cells. Chemical peels exfoliate these damaged skin cells by breaking up the bonds holding the layers together, letting them be smoothed away.
Factors that determine how deeply a chemical peel works include the strength of the acid and how long the peel is left on your skin. Facial peels exfoliate away layers of skin, with more intensive peels working on deeper layers. Peels that act on deep layers of skin will have more downtime than those that only treat superficial layers.
How Long Does a Chemical Peel Take?
Your Skinatomy skincare expert will determine how long your peel should stay on. However, most of our chemical peels last about one hour. Your provider will apply the peel to your face and leave it on while it works, then remove it or neutralize it to stop the process. Getting a chemical peel is not usually uncomfortable, although some people report sensations like warmth or tingling.
Light peels, also known as “lunchtime peels,” may take less time, but they only treat the outermost layers of skin. We typically recommend medium-strength peels for the ideal combination of convenience and results. Some deep peels can take longer since your provider treats areas of the face separately.
What Kinds of Chemical Peels Are Available?
Facial peels range from very gentle to very powerful. Having choices allows us to find a peel that achieves your desired results on your timeline. Each person’s treatment plan varies according to their needs.
Light
Light peels are usually used to brighten and refresh the skin. They treat the outermost layers, making them most effective on superficial skin issues. They have little to no downtime, but the results do not last as long as deeper peels and more sessions are needed.
Medium
Medium peels are used to treat a wide range of skin concerns, including lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and pigmentation issues. These peels have more downtime than a light peel but can treat more significant skin problems with fewer sessions.
Deep
Deep peels are not as common as other types because they have considerable recovery time. However, they offer a powerful way to treat deep wrinkles, scarring, and precancerous lesions. Most people will only need one deep peel in a lifetime.
Brightening Peel
Our specialized Brightening Peel treats hyperpigmentation by targeting melanin to fade sun damage, age spots, and other pigmentation problems. This minimal-downtime peel can address significant pigment issues with a series of treatments.
Hollywood Peel
The Hollywood Carbon Peel is unique in that it uses a laser to work. A black carbon solution is applied to the skin, then activated with laser energy to break up melanin pigment and trigger skin renewal. This peel is growing in popularity due to the bright, glowing skin it provides.
