Am I a Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

Whether or not you are an ideal candidate for a chemical peel will depend on several factors, including the type of skin damage you hope to correct, your overall health and the type of peel required to correct your damage.

Most men and women are candidates for mild chemical peels, which treat only the most superficial layers of the skin and involve limited downtime, or none at all. Also referred to as glycolic peel or AHA peels, light chemical peels are usually performed without sedation and have fewer risks than other peels.

Mild chemical peels require longer recovery time, as well as sedation in many cases. Darker skinned men and women, as well as individuals with certain health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, may not be ideal candidates for medium chemical peels.

Deep chemical peels require significant recovery time, sometimes as long as several months, and individuals must be prepared for significant discomfort and peeling. Men and women undergoing deep peels also need to be prepared to wear sunscreen whenever outside or otherwise exposed to sunlight. Individuals with darker skin are usually not good candidates for these peels, as they may cause lightening of the skin, or hypopigmentation, to occur. Deep chemical peels are also usually not recommended for men and women with heart conditions or diabetes.

In addition, candidates for any type of peel should be free of skin infections, and are advised to stop smoking for several weeks before and after treatment to aid in the healing process. In some cases, men and women with scar formations known as keloids may also be advised to seek alternative treatment.

As with any medical procedure, you should discuss any medical issues or health conditions, as well as any medications you are taking, prior to your chemical peel treatment.