Chemical peels have been around for a long time for a good reason—they work incredibly well.

There’s a spotless, flawless complexion lying just beneath the surface of your skin and aestheticians have found that a classic treatment is the fastest way to reveal it – the chemical peel. Chemical peels are experiencing a rebirth as more and more aestheticians turn to these procedures to address a wide range of skin concerns. It turns out that chemical peels can deliver certain skin benefits like reversing melasma and breakouts better than high-tech devices such as lasers. By removing old surface cells, they improve fine lines, acne and discoloration for all skin types and colors. They can also correct age spots, skin tone, freckles, melasma, sun damage, and some peels can even freshen the skin through exfoliation.

Did you know that women have been using peels for over 2,000 years? Let’s take Cleopatra for example, who used to soak in milk baths to smooth her skin. You might think that milk baths have nothing to do with modern chemical peels but did you know the active ingredient in milk, the lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA) is still among the most commonly used types in modern peels? The lactic acid can help improve acne scars, reduce the effects of sun damage, correct skin tone, and diminish fine lines.

How do chemical peels work? After application, acids lift away dead cells and trigger a chain reaction: as the surface layer is shed, signals are sent to the cells below to multiply and move up. This increases collagen production, raises the level of hyaluronic acid and makes you look younger. Another benefit of a chemical peel treatment is the increased performance of your skin care products as there are no dead cells impeding their penetration.

What types of chemical peels are available?

Mild strength chemical peels

The mild chemical peels are suitable for busy people as they do not require downtime while they provide significant results if repeated weekly on the face and neck. Common ingredients in the mild peels are Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, and Lactic Acid. They can improve acne scars, skin tone and texture, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce the effects of sun damage.

A mild chemical peel is generally based on glycolic acids which helps remove dead cells and regenerate skin cells without flaking, redness or discomfort that usually occurs after a more intense formula. Mild chemical peels are safe to use on every skin color without risk of hyperpigmentation.

Medium strength chemical peels

If you have heavy sun damaged, leathery skin, and visible coarse wrinkles, a medium strength peel is just for you.

The difference between a mild strength and medium strength peel is the percentage of active ingredients. Medium-strength peels use the same acids as the mild peels but at a much higher level. Also, medium strength peels are deeper, which will make your skin turn red and swollen after application. Blisters may form and break open. Your skin crusts and peels off in one to two weeks. During this period, apply lotion or cream to the treated area and avoid the sun until healing is complete. Makeup is ok after one week.

Deep chemical peels

Phenol peels are the strongest chemical peels you can opt for. They are used on the face only, since the skin of the neck and hands tends to be thinner and more delicate. Deep chemical peels can treat deep wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven tone. They are also helpful in treating vertical lines around the mouth.

Given the strength of these peels, anesthesia is required and crusting and post-procedure redness can last for weeks however, these deep peels will do what a face lift can’t—improve the quality of your damaged skin.

Chemical peels are recommended for people with dull, tired skin with open pores where there is a loss of glow. Give us a call today and our highly skilled doctors will advise you on an appropriate peel.