Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a non-surgical aesthetic procedure in which an acidic solution is applied to the skin, breaking the bonds between old skin cells and effectively sloughing off the outermost layer of old, dead skin. This removal of dead skin cells reveals new, fresh skin, and encourages new skin cell development while boosting collagen production.

Chemical peels treat a wide variety of skin conditions such as acne, acne scars, wrinkles, sun spots, uneven pigment, sebaceous hyperplasia, enlarged pores, rough texture, and dull skin. Depending on the extent of correction needed, the depth and intensity of the chemical peel can be adjusted, addressing mild to severe skin conditions.

Superficial or light peels are less aggressive causing a temporary tingling/warm sensation. It is also common to feel itchy, but most patients do not report severe discomfort. Certain deeper peels can include a numbing agent to help with discomfort.

Recovery time from a chemical peel can vary depending on intensity and depth of the peel. Light peels typically take 5-7 days to heal and include mild flaking, if any. You may be slightly red after the peel for 24 hours. You may wear makeup after 24 hours if no visible healing is present. Deeper chemical peels may produce sheet-like peeling, with the greatest amount of peeling on day 3-5. We typically tell patients to plan on a full week of peeling/flaking with deeper chemical peels such as the VI Peel, ZO 3 Step Peel, and Advanced Corrective Peel.

Do NOT exfoliate the skin or rub your face with a towel directly after a peel as this can damage the skin. Do not workout, take hot showers, sit in hot tubs or saunas for a minimum of 24 hours after your peel application. Depending on the peel, you may not be able to workout/sweat for a few days until the majority of peeling has subsided; sweat blisters and/or infection could occur if you workout aggressively during the peeling process. Do NOT peel or pick the skin off yourself when you are peeling; you may trim the dead skin but picking/peeling could cause damage and potentially scarring.