Cosmetic Dermatology | Level 1: Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels

What is a chemical peel?

Chemical peeling is a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove a layer or layers of skin. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Dermatologic surgeons have used various peeling agents for the last 50 years and the type of peel best for your skin will be determined at your consultation.

What can a chemical peel do?

Chemical peels are best used to treat early photoaging changes: fine wrinkles, coarse skin texture, sallow skin tone, age spots and certain other pigmentary abnormalities can respond well. Besides stimulating younger appearing skin cells, chemical peels also enhance the penetration of other rejuvenating skin care products such as vitamin C serums, glycolic acid, hydroquinone, soluble skin growth factors, (TNS Complex) and retinoic acid. Each peel is individualized for each patient.

Chemical Peels

Aesthetician Services
Skin Care/Make-up Products
Chemical Peels
Microdermabrasion
Clarisonic™ Skin Cleanser

Hair Removal
Laser Tattoo Removal
Leg Vein Treatment
Sclerotherapy

Meet Our Professional Staff
Our Location | Directions
Our News Letters
What Our Patients Say
First Visit | Be Prepared

Can chemical peels help deeper wrinkles?

Deeper and more severe photoaging changes are better treated with either a deeper peeling agent like trichloroacetic acid, or more commonly, a Laser Resurfacing procedure: Fraxel or CO2 /Erbium laser. Areas of sundamaged precancerous Keratosis are also sometimes treated with one of these two techniques.

How are chemical peels performed?

Glycolic acid peels are generally preceded by two to three weeks of rejuvenating skin care products that are applied at home. The area to be peeled is cleansed and degreased and the appropriate concentration of glycolic acid applied and left on the skin for about 2 1/2 minutes before the acid is neutralized. A tingling to moderate burning sensation is expected but disappears when the peel is completed. Generally a slight redness appears that lasts hours to a day with a little extra dryness over the same time period. It is almost always possible to return to work the same or certainly the next day. After 24 hours the home use of rejuvenating skin care products is resumed. This is a rejuvenation procedure that stimulates natural healing processes. A minimum of 4 peels is recommended at two week intervals followed by maintenance peels at 4 month intervals. Daily sunscreen use is required, and specific types will be recommended.

Salicylic acid peels are similar, but more intense, with slightly more discomfort, longer redness, and more actual dry peeling. Returning to normal activities is still possible after 24 hours.

The Vitalize peel is our most intense peel, but still considered non-ablative: no significant downtime is expected. The peel does leave a yellow residue that is left on overnight before washing off. The yellow residue usually fades over several hours and make-up can be applied that day. The treatment is very effective for severe brown discolorations and sallow, sun-damaged skin. Three peels are recommended with the use of on-going rejuvenation products and advanced sun screen with antioxidants.

What should you expect after treatment?

Reactions to chemical peels are similar to a sunburn and range from mild to moderate redness and dry peeling. Generally, the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery.

Call for a FREE cosmetic consultation with
Dr. Brazil's Laser/Skincare Specialists
360.459.1700