What are chemical peels?

Many skin problems today are related to the buildup of dead and dry skin, which ultimately makes the skin seem dull and thick because of clogged pores.  Chemical Peels offer an effective technique for treating various skin conditions including sun damage, acne, and hyperpigmentation to reawaken the patient’s complexion and freshen up the skin’s appearance.

Peels are techniques that improve the texture of the skin by the controlled application of a chemical solution that causes the eventual sloughing off or peeling off of dead skin cells. The depth of a peel is determined based on the severity of the patient’s skin condition. The skin regenerates after the procedure and new cells are formed from the deeper layers of the skin, resulting in an improved complexion. Chemical peels are a good option in treating sun damaged skin.

What are the different types of chemical peels?

Chemical peels are differentiated from one another by the difference in the depth of action.

• Superficial peels only remove the outermost layer of the skin and does not damage the layers below the dermis. Usually, glycolic acid or salicylic acid is used for this technique. Superficial peels are mild but very effective against skin dryness, acne, uneven skin tone, and even fine lines. This method  may be administered once a week for up to six weeks if necessary.
• Medium peels are able to remove the outermost layer of the skin and also portions of the dermis. A stronger acid is implicated for this technique, usually trichloroacetic acid in combination with glycolic acid. Conditions that benefit from the use of medium peels include acne scars, more aggressive wrinkles, and more pronounced cases of uneven skin tone. This method may be administered twice a year with good results.
• Deep peels are able to reach the lower layers of the skin, and are able to promote peeling up to the lower layers of the dermis. For this purpose, carbolic acid or phenol is applied on the patient’s skin. Because of the depth of penetration and the strength of the acid, application is done in intervals to minimize skin damage. The peels are only recommended if necessary, often in cases where the patient wants to get rid of precancerous growth, scars, or deeper wrinkles.

We offer the following types of chemical peels:

Peels – Chemical exfoliants such as gentle alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic and glycolics) and beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic) that stimulate cell turnover producing a smoother, healthier toned skin. Every peel is targeted toward a specific problem.
Lactic Peel – treats hyper-pigmentation for sensitive skin on the face or back
Glycolic Peel – treats hyper-pigmentation and blemish prone skin on the face or back
Salicylic – treats acne and acne scars on the face and body
TCA Peel – treats brown spots on the face and body caused by sun damage. *10% – 15% acid strength (a higher TCA concentration peel is available and conducted by Dr. Crowell)

What happens during the treatment?

During the procedure, a cotton tipped applicator is used to apply the peeling agents onto the patient’s skin. As the acid comes in contact with the skin, discoloration will be evident in that area as the chemical reaction begins to facilitate the peeling process. For the peels, anesthesia may be required to lessen the patient’s discomfort during the procedure. Light peels may take 10 minutes to complete, medium peels 20 minutes, and deep peels about 90 minutes.

Contact us today to learn more about chemical peels!