Chemical Peel
All you need to know about Chemical Peels
When one has a chemical peel performed on their skin, a chemical solution will be applied to the skin, and it will be allowed to set for a while to soak in. Within the next 14 days, the skin will peel off. The range of days depends on how deeply the chemical was penetrated into the skin.
There are three basic kinds of chemical peels: superficial peels, medium peels and deep peels. Superficial peels are the mildest type of chemical peel a person can have done. They can be used on all skin types. They will most likely contain a mild acid, such as glycolic acid. Dry ice can also be used for this. Medium peels reach deeper into the skin and have a second degree burn on the skin. The main peeling agent used is Trichloracetic acid. The peel can be done in multiple steps, using a different chemical solution followed up by Trichloracetic acid. With deep peels, several layers of the skin will be penetrated, with a second degree burn to the skin. More than likely, Phenol will be used for the chemical. Deep peels are only used on the face, and dark skin tones will not be treated, as deep peels can bleach the skin. Deep peels can be done on individuals once in most cases.
How the Kinds of Chemical Peels Are Performed
Before a superficial chemical peel, the skin will be thoroughly cleansed. A small brush, cotton tipped applicator or gauze will be used to apply the chemical used to the skin. The chemical will be allowed to sit on the skin for a few minutes, depending on what type of chemical is used. At the end of the chemical reaction, water or alcohol will most likely be used to neutralise the acid, then the area will be wiped clean.
Medium peels follow the same procedure as superficial peels. The chemicals will be left on longer and will be stronger than seen in the superficial chemical peel. An oral sedative or pain reliever may be given to reduce any pain. Since there may be stinging and burning, a fan or cool compresses may be used to cool the area down.
Deep peels will require more steps to get ready for the procedure. Often times, a pain reliever or oral sedatives are given. General anesthesia will likely be used. Depending on the dermatologist performing the peel, a hear monitor could be used and an IV could be hooked up to the individual, especially for Phenol since it is toxic if absorbed into the body’s system. Skin will be cleaned and then the chemical will be applied and allowed to soak into the skin. If more than one area is being done, there will be a rest period to avoid having too much Phenol in the body at one time. After the peel, an ointment or tape can be applied to the skin to treat areas that have deeper problems. The ointment can be washed off after 24 hours and reapplied as needed. Tape can be removed after 2 days.
Types of Chemical Peels
There are many different types of peels: Glycolic peels, Jessner peels, Alpha Hydroxy Acid Peel, Trichloracetic Acid Peel, Pumpkin Peel, Salicylic Acid peel and a Phenol Peel. Each one provides a different type of benefit for the skin and has different processes.
• Glycolic Acid Peel is wonderful for those that do not have much downtime to spend. They are perfect for those that suffer from excess oil on the skin, since they will gently exfoliate the skin to unclog the pores. There is some mild redness and irritation after a glycolic acid peel. Usually a series of several are needed to see results. A 30% concentration of alphahydroxy acid will be applied to the skin for 2 to 5 minutes, which will slough away the dead skin cells and penetrate the skin to soften lines and wrinkles. This type of chemical peel is wonderful for those that need to dry acne up.
• A Jessner Peel is a superficial peel that is used to treat sun damaged skin and hyper pigmentation. This is perfect for all skin types, even those with thick skin. Jessner peels tend to decrease the production of oil on the face, and have been known to heal acne. This type of chemical peel can be done on the face, hands, neck and upper chest.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acid Peel will re-texture the skin, improve skin tone and help acne prone skin. There are five fruit acids that are mainly used for alpha hydroxy acid peels: citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid. Old skin is shed to reveal fresh skin. This type of chemical peel is often recommended for those that show the signs of aging, and will take about 20 minutes to perform. Each peel has a strength of 20 to 70%, depending on how severe the condition is. This is a superficial chemical peel, so it may be repeated in one to two week intervals. Peeling usually occurs a few days after the procedure has been done, and skin can be pink after the treatment. These peels can cause stinging, redness, dryness and a mild skin irritation. Many times alpha hydroxy acids are mixed with facial creams and washes in a smaller concentration to improve skin’s texture and are safe to use with a daily skin care regime.
• Trichloracetic acid peels are often used to even out the skin tone and rid the skin of fine lines. They are effective for darker skin tones, and will take less than half an hour to perform in most cases. Common side effects include burning, tenderness of the skin, and swelling of the skin. A trichloracetic acid peel (TCA peel) can be classified as any of the types of skin peels depending on how deep the chemical is allowed to penetrate into the skin.
• Pumpkin peels are superficial chemical peels that help with oiliness in the skin. Pumpkin is a source of minerals that will help to heal the skin. Pumpkin is also rich in fatty acids, which aid in reducing the oiliness of the skin. The treatment lasts about an hour. It is often recommend that six or more treatments be done on a weekly basis. The pumpkin mask will feel warm on the face to begin with, and then will change to a tightening feeling. This type of chemical peel will help with cell turnover. Skin will feel taut when the chemical peel is finished.
• Salicylic acid peels are a form of superficial chemical peels. This type of peel will not only improve the skin tone but lend a hand with acne. Salicylic acid peels are a type of beta-hydroxy peel that will cleanse the pores and clean the oil out of them. A concentration of 10 to 30% salicylic acid will be used, compared to the salicylic acid that is available over the counter, which is usually 1 to 5 %. Dry or dehydrated skin, dull skin, uneven skin, sensitive skin, acne inflamed skin, and skin with lines and wrinkles can all benefit from a salicylic acid peel. Every 2 to 4 weeks, the peel can be performed again.
• Phenol peels are a type of deep chemical peels. Since these peels can be very painful, general anesthesia will be used. This is the strongest type of peel on the market. Phenol peels will treat sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation. The results are often dramatic as new collagen is being formed. Pain medication will be prescribed to take at home after the procedure. A healing time of 2 weeks or more will be needed for this procedure.
Chemical Peel Aftercare
After any type of chemical peel, proper skin care will be needed to help heal the skin. The skin should be cleansed frequently with water or a special wash a dermatologist has given. Ointment will need to be changed if medium or deep peels are used. The skin should be moisturized daily, and the sun should be avoided until the skin has fully peeled. Sunscreen will need to be used daily.
In all honest, a chemical peel sounds like the worst thing ever. All these acid titles, the entire process seems so not appealing. Chemical peels are not supposed to be invasive, yet you can get hooked up to an IV, or even be sedated… That’s sounds a bit dramatic for a face chemical peel, doesn’t it? I would never put such things on my face, no matter what the results is, and according to many people, it’s not all that. Not with all new methods of skin rejuvenation available out there today.
As every homemaker, I don’t visit these clinics, because I don’t have that kind of time or money. Our family is large, and although I am a mom who stays at home and is working at home, I feel like I will never stop using make up and taking care of my beauty. I love my beauty routine, but after four kids and ten years, my face needs a healing. A rejuvenation, something to make me look fresh and young again. I don’t want to look like I’m 15 again, I just would like to see that nice glow on my skin you know. My skin right now looks like I’m drying it with a curling iron every day, it’s too dry and dull.
I wanted to do a home chemical peel, because I figured it would be cheaper. Chemical peels at home seem like a great idea, because it can be made with ingredients that are more natural. I only know about salicylic acid, and I know it is in some beauty products, so maybe someone knows about a safe home method? This home stay mom would very much appreciate your help!
As every homemaker, I don’t visit these clinics, because I don’t have that kind of time or money. Our family is large, and although I am a mom who stays at home and is working at home, I feel like I will never stop using make up and taking care of my beauty. I love my beauty routine, but after four kids and ten years, my face needs a healing. A rejuvenation, something to make me look fresh and young again. I don’t want to look like I’m 15 again, I just would like to see that nice glow on my skin you know. My skin right now looks like I’m drying it with a curling iron every day, it’s too dry and dull.
I wanted to do a home chemical peel, because I figured it would be cheaper. Chemical peels at home seem like a great idea, because it can be made with ingredients that are more natural. I only know about salicylic acid, and I know it is in some beauty products, so maybe someone knows about a safe home method? This home stay mom would very much appreciate your help!
I have had a chemical peel done before, only the superficial kind. My skin just needed severe help. I did have a few lines but my main concern for doing one was because of the acne scarring that has taken place on my skin over the years. I did the AHA chemical peel in an office and then was advised to do a home treatment as well. The results have been amazing and long lasting as well. I now make sure to purchase cleansers with the AHA in them to help protect my skin.
I’ve been a frequent chemical peel user, and if I may say I am very proud of my skin’s look. The best chemical peel of my choice is the tca peel, because it really flattens out the fine lines and makes my skin tone even. That makes my face look so much younger and easier to contour when I don’t have irregular spots of colour all over.
If you have never had a chemical peel done before, and you have acne, you may want to see about getting one done. I have suffered from acne on my forehead for all my life. My forehead looked so bumpy and was so embarrassing to me. Well I can now say that I am on my road to having a clearer forehead. I have had two treatments of a superficial peel done on my forehead, and the results are amazing. Yes it is still bumpy, but now you have to get closer to look. I feel beautiful once again and am gaining confidence back each and every day. Chemical peels once scared me but really the procedure is simple. It takes only a short bit of time to do and it did not hurt me at all. A few days after the peel, my skin flaked really bad, but it looked like a sunburn to me, like how the skin flakes then. I recommend looking into chemical peels as it is amazing what they can do for the skin and the rest of the body.
I am leaning towards doing a chemical peel. I would say that I am going through a mid life crisis, or at least that is what my sister thinks. I just feel old and not very attractive any more. I am debating on doing a medium or deep chemical peel. I want some really great results, but at the same time am worried that if I do the deep peel, I will never be able to have it done again since it stated that you can usually only do this type of chemical peel once. I am 45 right now. If I decide to have a deep chemical peel done on my face, if in 15 years, I need another one, due to more ageing, will I be able to have one done then? I just worry that in 15 years I will feel that my skin needs something more, so that is why I am holding off making the decision. I do not want to do the deep peel if down the road, say in 15 years, I have aged more. I would rather save the more intense peel for then. I really am leaning towards the medium peel as of now. I will discuss with my dermatologist to see what she has to say.
Oh, I feel like these facial chemical peels are so last year, and I haven’t even tried them, like, how old-fashioned can I get? There are so many, and I can’t even choose one. Which one is the best, like the best of them all? Or should I consult a doctor? Where can I make an appointment? I know, I have many questions, but I’m kind of rushing because I feel like I’m already late for something people have been trying out for so many years now, and I fell of some planet where they don’t know about beauty and skin care.
And btw, a chemical peel at home, for real? I would never, ever in my life do that! Who are we, scientists to experiment on chemicals, and on top of all risk putting that mixture on our skin!? That’s what clinic and beauty salons and spas are for, not our bathroom. I might be old-fashioned, but these women who do homemade peels are even force than I am. Plus they are risking themselves and putting their skin in danger!
I have a fair question. Does skin heal fast and stays the same? I mean I don’t want a chemical skin peel and then my skin all of a sudden becomes sensitive and acne prone. I’ve heard of that happening after a chemical face peel.
A chemical facial peel isn’t that harsh, it’s the first impression that catches people off guard. But if you google chemical peel before and after photos it’s like, impossible to be shocked if you do it and see yourself in the mirror. I did a chemical peel, but I don’t really remember which one of these it was. I was red like a tomato for five days. I was panicking, thought I was going to stay like that forever, I was preparing a law suit in my head, all kinds of crazy things. But then it faded away, and my skin was so smooth and soft, and my wrinkles looked less deep. It’s awesome I really want to do it more often, and I would just tell people who haven’t done it yet, not to panic. The doctor will tell you how you’re going to react so remember that, and stay inside for as long as you can. Don’t go out without sunscreen!
How often can you do these? Can you do it several times a year? Is a chemical skin peel lighter than something you would do with a laser treatment? It seems like a much more aggressive treatment since it’s put on your skin directly and these toxic chemicals are left in there… It really seems like something prehistoric actually, don’t mind me saying. Might as well get a face lift while you’re sedated and on pain killers, what’s the difference.
I’ve done it and I concur that the outcome is great. Radiant and bright skin, looking youthful and feeling smooth. Many chemical peel reviews go a little overboard with pain, presenting it as something that’s unbearable, but to me it wasn’t that bad at all. An average woman would handle the pain, the only thing is the burning, and it was a little stronger. But again, nothing unbearable.
Great article here. I have been wanting to do a chemical peel for some time now, and have narrowed it down between either a pumpkin peel or a glycolic acid peel. I have heard that both are fantastic peels to use. I picked these two because they seem very natural to me. I do have sensitive skin and have heard that glycolic acid peels are perfect for that. However, I have heard that pumpkin peels provide clarity to the skin right away, and is full of vitamin A which will help with healing. I am going to continue to do research on each of these, but right now am leaning towards the pumpkin peel. I like the idea of applying it and having it heat up on the face. Sounds interesting and delightful to me.
I never knew that there were 3 types of chemical peels. I assumed that they were all very evasive like the deep chemical peel so I never asked my doctor if a chemical peel was right for me, as I do not have time to have 2 or more weeks for recovery. However, I am now really interested in trying a superficial chemical peel. I think that this could be of great benefit to me. I have some dark spots that I would like to treat and after reading the article above, I can see where my skin would be benefited by having one. I look forward to making the choice with my doctor and can not wait to see the end results.
Great article. This is basically what everyone needs to know about peels. I had the glycolic acid peel, the first time, and I loved it, but the second time I chose something stronger. To try to get the best out of it. If you ask me, any chemical peel is worth it, because you at least get all of the debris out of the way, and prevent it from entering deeper into your skin. That’s where all the trouble begins. All you need to know is whether you skin is suitable for a chemical peel so don’t be afraid to ask your doctor, or whoever is doing the peel for you. I know there are some home alternative, that’s why I am saying, although a doctor is always the best option, and the safest one.
Hello! I wanted to write this review, or advice, for someone who is looking for a way to get rid of sunspots. I loved the Jesneer peel. It’s really mild and it takes care of those spots, really fades them away. Before that, I had an intensive beauty regimen, I exfoliate the skin every day, but chemical peels are the bomb. I loved it so much. It’s great for rejuvenation, but the sun damage that is caused can only be removed like this. Great!
After a lot of research about the peel and consultations I decided to do an at home facial, and after that I am going to go for a chemical face peel, because I don’t want to spend a lot of money. I wasted so much money on other treatments, and this is my last option. The issue I have is concerning acne scars. I have lots of scars on my left and right cheek, and they are black and white, and dented… All kinds of them basically. I need the best chemical peel there is, to remove all of that at once! Which would you recommend? I’m really just obsessed with this procedure! I have to do it.
It’s funny to compare home chemical peels to the real deal. Ladies, you shouldn’t fool yourselves, because it’s not even close. Is the food you prepare at home the same as when Jamie Oliver makes it? I don’t think so. So, stop mumbling about the chemical peels at home, it just doesn’t work. If you have perfect skin, don’t mess with it, and if you have damaged skin, then you are just going to cause even more damage. Homemade chemical peels are out there, and there are many reviews that you can read about it, but it doesn’t mean it’s good. I am saying this, not to sound mean but because my 18 year old cousin tried it and ruined her gorgeous skin. Just because someone on youtube said, it’s okay to do it! Listen to professional, and go to someone like AD for expert help, don’t treat your skin like it’s garbage. Now my cousin has acne and her skin is so sensitive. She started getting wrinkles now, because the homemade peal dried her skin out so much! Think about it before you do it.
I believe that there are many benefits of chemical peels, but if they are done by someone who knows what they are doing. I had perfect skin, really flawless. Not a scratch on it, it wasn’t dry, just perfect skin. I never had any acne either. I was with my friends in a spa, and we decided to do facials. This lady put something on my face and after like 5 minutes it started burning so much that tears came out of my eyes, I couldn’t control it. She responded that it was a normal reaction, and that it’s nothing. After I went to my room, I was shocked, my entire face was purple red and a bit swollen. After I consulted a specialist, he told me it was probably a harsh chemical peel and that chemical peels for face can be dangerous if done without previous assessment. You can’t imagine how angry I am, because she literally burnt my skin. I would recommend a peel, but definitely not in the spa.
If you have acne skin, or skin that has been damaged and have severe acne scars, I suggest you do the phenol peel. It might be a bit harsh and strong, and you probably will experience redness, but after a while, you will see an improvement. After reading many chemical peel reviews, I got the phenol peel and it’s my motivation to keep on going. Seeing the good results made me continue with the peels and be persistent in the battle. The final results is yet to be seen, but I am not giving up. It is going to be a long journey, but with each session I see great improvements. And my confidence is beginning to go through the roof. Now, I have the opinion that every girls’ facial skin care should include some kind of a peel, in order to keep your skin as young and radiant as possible.
I wanted to do a medium peel. I am a smoker, and I saw that my skin was dry and not really tan. I needed something to rejuvenate my skin. I was too scared to do a skin peel at home, so I paid money for a doctor to do it, and I had it done quickly. After the treatment, what can I truly say? It was great. Peeling skin isn’t that horrible, it’s really a good feeling. You get the feeling of satisfaction because you’ve done something great for your skin. The medium peel worked great for me, wasn’t too mild or harsh, but I did feel a bit of tingling on my face three days after it was done. But my doctor told me that with these kind of skin treatments it’s usually normal, and that it could my skin rejuvenating and repairing. Other than that, I am happy with the results.
I am very interested in having a chemical peel done. However I just do not know which one to pick. I have had many facials before, but would love to know which chemical peel is considered to be the best. I feel that my skin needs a deep peel done, and the lactic acid one sounds rather refreshing. Can anyone tell me more about this peel? It sounds like it is good for those that want to deliver moisture to their face, which is what I would love to do.