Chemical Peel

Skin resurfacing with a chemical peel is an effective way to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin on your face and neck, essentially by removing old, damaged skin so it may be replaced with new, healthier skin.

Several chemical peel formulations exist, so your treatment can be customized to meet your needs.  A chemical peel may be performed using various concentrations of any of the following solutions:

  • Carbolic acid (Phenol peel)
  • Trichloroacetic acid (TCA peel)
  • Beta hydroxy acid (BHA peel or Salicylic peel)
  • Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA peel)
  • Glycolic acid (Glycolic peel)

Are you a candidate for chemical peels?

Chemical peels are suited for both adult men and women.  Depending on your age, skin condition and cosmetic goals, Dr. Ljung will determine which type of chemical peel is recommended.

Glycolic peel & AHA peel

  • Light, superficial chemical peels that usually require no downtime
  • Mild resurfacing and light exfoliation of the skin can be achieved with an AHA or glycolic acid peel

BHA peel or Salicylic peel

  • A moderate depth chemical peel that requires less downtime than phenol and TCA peels, but more than AHA and glycolic peels
  • Uses beta hydroxy acid, also known as salicylic acid, to reduce acne, and may also improve skin texture and tone

TCA peel

  • Commonly used to treat moderate sun damage and fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve skin texture and tone
  • Concentrations can be manipulated to produce a light TCA peel similar to a glycolic peel, or a deep TCA peel, closer to a phenol peel
  • Unlike phenol peels, may be effective for patients with darker skin

Phenol peel

  • A very potent chemical peel that provides deep skin resurfacing
  • Treats moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles, significant sun damage and acne scars

How a skin chemical peel works

During a chemical peel, water is combined with the chemical exfoliant, diluting it to the correct percentage of potency needed to address your skin condition and cosmetic goals.  The solution is then painted on the desired skin area with a sponge or brush and is monitored until it must be removed.

A skin chemical peel may not always cause visible skin peeling, however moderate to deep chemical peels will typically cause dead skin to flake away in noticeable layers.

The deeper the chemical peel, the more discomfort and downtime you will experience after your chemical peel and the longer you will typically have to wait to complete your chemical peel recovery.

Chemical peel side effects

A chemical peel may cause the following side effects:

  • Redness
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Skin burns
  • Hypopigmentation

However, as do the results, side effects from a skin chemical peel dissipate faster the lighter and more mild the peel.  It is imperative that you protect skin treated with a chemical peel by using sunblock and avoiding sun exposure.

Home chemical peel vs. professional chemical peel

Performing a do-it-yourself (DIY) or at home chemical peel can be dangerous, as any missteps in diluting chemicals and monitoring chemical concentrations and treatment time could cause significant long-term facial damage, such as chemical skin burns and permanent skin discoloration and uneven pigmentation.