A chemical peel is a skin treatment during which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layer. This reveals the newer skin beneath. It is used to improve scarring and treat certain forms of Acne, blemishes due to photo-aging, fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation. Various strengths of chemical peels are available depending on the condition of the skin and indication for treatment.
Downtime: Superficial or “lunchtime” peels remove only the topmost layer of the skin and therefore require approximately 0-4 days of recovery. Medium peels may require up to 14 days for the skin to heal as this targets issues rooted in the deeper skin layers. Deep peels are the most aggressive form of chemical peel and require 14-21 days of recovery time.
What to expect post-treatment: You may feel some tingling of the skin after the peel has been applied. Immediately after the peel you may notice some redness of the skin which may persist for a few days or up to several months with the deeper peels. You may have dryness and scaling or flaking of the skin – more common in medium to deep peels and in first-time peel patients. Avoidance of exercise, make-up and sun exposure for a period indicated by the depth of the peel. You will see results of the peel after the skin heals.
How many treatments are needed? Superficial: 3-5 treatments may be needed to achieve the desired results. Medium: 1-2 treatments may be needed to achieve the desired results. Deep: Deep peels are considered to be a 1 time treatment for select patients with severe skin concerns with effects lasting for years afterwards.