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A chemical peel is a skin exfoliation treatment that improves your skin texture, tone, and volume for a rejuvenated appearance. Chemical peels use acids to damage layers of your skin. The subsequent healing process improves your skin’s appearance.

How a chemical peel is performed

Chemical peels are an in-office procedure, and are commonly offered in medical spas. They can be performed on your face, neck, chest, and hands. Chemical peels can be done at superficial, medium, or deep skin levels to treat different skin issues.

Superficial peel

A superficial peel can improve skin discoloration and smoothness. It targets just the outer-most layer of your skin, and is your mildest option. An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) such as glycolic acid is commonly used. Your skin specialist will cleanse your skin and carefully apply the AHA liquid, allow about 15 minutes for it to take effect, and then clean it off.

Medium peel

A medium peel can treat more conditions like age spots, acne scars, wrinkles, fine lines, freckles, and moderate discoloration. A medium peel penetrates into the middle dermis layer of your skin. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is commonly used. Your skin will be cleansed and the TCA liquid will be wiped on. Sometimes two coats are used. TCA is self-neutralizing, meaning it can be left on longer without added effect.

Deep peel

A deep peel can treat moderate wrinkles, age spots, freckles, and shallow scars. It penetrates far into the middle dermis layer of your skin. High concentration TCA or the chemical phenol is commonly used. Like other peels, your skin will be cleansed and the chemical will be applied, allowed to sit for a variable amount of time, and then cleaned off.

Recovery

Your recovery and downtime can vary significantly depending on the type of peel you have. A superficial peel may only cause mild redness. A medium peel can cause moderate redness, irritation, and of course peeling for about a week. A deep peel causes significant redness, irritation, and peeling that can last up to 8 weeks.