What To Know About Chemical Peel For Beginners

What To Know About Chemical Peel For Beginners

If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your skin, chemical peels can be a great choice. But what is a chemical peel, exactly? A chemical peel is a medical procedure that improves your skin’s texture by removing dead skin cells and stimulating the growth of new ones. It’s used to treat acne scars, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

There are two main types of chemical peels: superficial (also called “lunchtime”) or medium depth (also called “deep”). Superficial peels are the most common type, and they work by exfoliating the upper layers of your skin – which means they don’t have much effect on deeper layers. A medium-depth peel uses stronger chemicals that penetrate more deeply into the skin than superficial peels do, so they can provide more dramatic results.

Chemical peeling is used to rejuvenate and brighten the skin. It’s a process by which a chemical solution is applied to the surface of the skin with the assistance of a medical professional. Peels can be made with numerous chemicals but alpha-hydroxy acids are the most popular. These peels include lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and citric acid. Read on to learn more Strong Homemade Chemical Peel/Chemical Peeling At Home Naturally.

What To Know About Chemical Peel For Beginners

If you’ve ever asked your dermatologist about removing signs of sun damage or improving fine lines on your skin, the two words “chemical peel” have probably come up. You might have even heard friends rave about their results.

Here’s the lowdown: “A chemical peel is a resurfacing technique used to improve the quality of the skin,” says Debra Wattenberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

While that sounds simple enough, the treatment can be an intense option, depending on the chemicals used and how deep they go into the skin. “A peeling solution, most commonly an acid, is applied to the skin to remove the outer layer,” says Dr. Wattenberg. Before you book an appointment (or pass on it altogether), here’s what you need to know about chemical peels, how they work, and if they’re right for you and your skin.

What Are Chemical Peels?

A chemical peel is one of the many tools a dermatologist might use to help remove age spots and improve acne scars and uneven skin tone.

How Chemical Peels Work

“The majority of chemical peels use various acids on the skin to create a controlled wound,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. While we typically think of wounds as bad things, in this circumstance they’re not. The treatment takes advantage of the skin’s ability to heal itself, and as a result, the wound-repair process can actually improve the appearance of pigmentation and skin texture, Dr. Zeichner adds.

Not all chemical peels are alike, so you can expect a different experience depending on the strength of the acid and the depth of the peel, says Wattenberg.

Here are the three major types.

1. Superficial or Light Chemical Peels

“These types of peels are used to treat mild acne or uneven skin tone, or just to brighten up your skin, and most commonly they contain glycolic or salicylic acid,” says Wattenberg. Salicylic acid can help minimize acne bumps on the face and in other troublesome areas, like the back. Because this acid is are a beta-hydroxy acid, it can travel into pores and follicles and treat acne at its core.

 Meanwhile, glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid that stays on the surface of the skin and acts as a peeling agent.

 It is a light peel, so you can expect dryness and mild exfoliation, says Wattenberg. And because this type is so superficial, the peels can be done every two to five weeks.

 “But remember, even the glycolic and salicylic acids can vary in strength,” says Wattenberg. That means there are varying degrees of what’s considered a light peel.

2. Medium Chemical Peels

These can be used to correct the physical signs of more extensive sun damage, deeper lines, and more significant wrinkling, says Wattenberg. “Traditionally these peels contain trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in combination with other chemicals, and peeling may continue for five to seven days,” says Wattenberg. TCA is a type of acid that can reach a number of depths in the skin (depending on how much is used), so it’s considered the workhorse of chemical peels.

3. Deep Chemical Peels

This is the most aggressive type of chemical peel. These require more downtime and are usually reserved for those with extensive sun damage, wrinkles, and fine lines, says Wattenberg. “These may contain stronger combinations of TCA, phenol, and other chemicals,” she adds. Phenol is the strongest chemical used in deep peels, and it can penetrate to the lower layers of your skin.

Who to See for a Chemical Peel

“The depth of the peel, the skin type, and the issue you are addressing should determine who should be performing the procedure,” says Wattenberg.Top ArticlesREAD MORELaser Resurfacing for Better Skin: 9 Things YouMust Know | Everyday Health

Certain light chemical peels are available over the counter at relatively low concentrations of active ingredients, and other light peels can generally be performed safely at medical spas or in an aesthetician’s office, says Zeichner.

Medium and deep peels are a different story. “Professional peels contain high concentrations of the active compound that penetrates deeply into the skin, so it is important that it’s performed by a professional like a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to make sure you have an even, safe, and effective peel,” Zeichner adds. Be sure your dermatologist or surgeon is board certified by looking them up on the American Board of Dermatology or the American Board of Plastic Surgery websites.

Wattenberg’s rule of thumb: “The deeper the peel, the darker your skin, the riskier the procedure, and therefore the need to see a more trained and qualified professional.”

When to Get a Chemical Peel

First and foremost, talk to your doctor about chemical peels and whether you’re a good candidate. “Chemical peels are a great option if you have dark spots, fine lines or wrinkles, prominent pores, or irregular texture,” says Zeichner.

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A medium peel can take 7 to 14 days to heal and will require a follow-up appointment with your doctor. To help you heal, your doctor will probably ask you to soak your face and use an ointment each day, as well as apply a cream and completely avoid the sun while your face heals.

A deep peel takes 14 to 21 days to heal, and your dermatologist will likely want you to visit the next day as well as several times after that. You’ll need to do multiple soaks with ointment application per day, use a thick moisturizer after 14 days, and completely avoid the sun for three to six months.

One thing to remember: “It is important to let the skin shed on its own and not to pull the peeling skin — physically removing skin that is not ready to be shed can lead to potential scars,” says Zeichner.

Strong Homemade Chemical Peel

1. 1 small cucumber, seeded and pureed (about 1 cup)
2. 1 package or 1 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin (find it here)
3. a few drops natural liquid meat tenderizer (find it here) OR ¼ tsp. powdered meat tenderizer (like this)
4. a dash of ground cinnamon (adding too much may irritate skin)
5. water if necessary.

Homemade Chemical Peel
Not too long ago I wrote an article on how to get and keep clear skin. I mentioned natural fruit acids that act as a natural, homemade chemical peel, sloughing off old dead skin to reveal the newer looking skin underneath. Today I’ll go into detail about what chemical peels are and how they benefit your skin. Then I’ll show you how to make your own.

What is a chemical peel?
There are a few types of chemical peels. They are applied to your skin, most often on the face, and then over then next few days the skin will start to pull away or “peel.” It is most often used on scarred skin, such as acne scars or burns. Over time, the new skin has less and less of the scarred material and new skin is allowed to come to the surface.

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There are mild peels, such as those with glycolic (fruit based) acid, and harsher ones such as trichloroacetic acid (like a very strong vinegar) or phenol. The peels used with phenol tend to lighten the skin and are ususally only used in extreme situations.

Most salons or spas use glycolic acid in a form that is much stronger than just plain fruit juice. Sometimes dry ice is used in place of glycolic acid as it will yield the same results.

Why do a homemade chemical peel?
A homemade, natural chemical peel helps you control the ingredients and avoid all the toxic elements of the store-bought versions.

Almost all of us have some scarring of some sort on our bodies. I have a scar on the inside of my arm from some barbed wire after falling off of a cow. (They do NOT like to be saddled, by the way!) I have another on my knee from rock climbing near the river. These aren’t large and they don’t bother my self esteem at all. However, scars like burns, perhaps on the neck or arms, or severe acne scars on the face can lead to low self esteem and even send people into hiding. This is where chemical peels can greatly benefit you.

I like to do a chemical peel once a month just to be sure there is nothing left behind on my skin after my normal beauty routine.

Natural Homemade Chemical Peel
You can go very mild with this recipe or go for a deeper peel with stronger acids. The variations are listed after the recipe.

Ingredients
1 small cucumber, seeded and pureed (about 1 cup)
1 package or 1 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin (find it here)
a few drops natural liquid meat tenderizer (find it here) OR ¼ tsp. powdered meat tenderizer (like this)
a dash of ground cinnamon (adding too much may irritate skin)
water if necessary
Process
Place the cucumber inside a medium sized bowl and sprinkle with the gelatin. Add a little water if it doesn’t start to dissolve.
Sprinkle the meat tenderizer and cinnamon over the cucumber mixture and stir well to combine. The gelatin will dissolve and become pasty. Add water if you need to make it spreadable.
Spread this over your face and allow it to dry, 15-20 minutes.
When completely dry, start at the jaw line and slowly peel from your face. Rinse off any residue and follow with moisturizer if you wish.
Note: You can do this once a month, but no more often as it may irritate skin.

Variations
Cucumber is the most mild, but you can substitute other ingredients for this.

Papaya and pineapple contain papain and bromelain, both of which are used in tenderizing meats. This is why I add a small amount of meat tenderizer to the recipe. You can omit the meat tenderizer and use pureed fruit instead.
Pumpkin has a great deal of fruit acids. You can steam some fresh pumpkin or use it from the can. (Be sure it’s plain pumpkin and not pie mix.)
Avocados are high in acid too, and have added moisturizers.
Tomatoes are another good choice. The newer hybrid tomatoes are lower in acid, but are still great for this type of application. Use fresh puree or juice.
Sugar can work well too. Sugar cane is high in acid and makes a great chemical peel. Use the same amount as you would puree or juice.

Despite the slightly scary sounding name — chemical and peel don’t exactly sound like what you might want on your face — chemical peels are actually one of the best treatments you can undergo to treat stubborn acne scars. 

In case you’re not convinced by the incredible before-and-after photos of chemical peel clients, this guide exists to get you on the glowy-skin bandwagon. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about chemical peels for acne scars. 

What do chemical peels do? 

Fun fact: Chemical peels do involve chemicals, but they don’t really involve peeling of skin. Instead, chemical peels consist of a solution that deeply exfoliates the outer layer of your skin. This causes the dead skin cells on your top layer of skin to rapidly shed, revealing the new, smooth layer underneath. On top of the exfoliation, chemical peels induce new collagen production, an important protein that makes up about 75% of your skin and keeps it looking young, tight, and fresh. 

How do chemical peels work for acne scars? 

Chemical peels reduce the appearance of acne scars by reducing overall hyperpigmentation, or areas of your skin with deeper or darker color. Chemical peels also smooth the outer surface of your skin, reducing any bumpy textures. 

The exact mechanism of a chemical peel on your acne scars depends on the severity of your scarring, as well as the type of scarring. There are two types of acne scars: atrophic and hypertrophic. Atrophic acne scars are indented or depressed, while hypertrophic acne scars are raised. 

Chemical peels are better at treating atrophic scars than hypertrophic scars, though a professionally administered series of chemical peels can potentially eliminate both types. Hyperpigmentation, while technically not a form of scarring, is the easiest form of post-acne skin trauma to treat with chemical peels. 

What to expect during and after a chemical peel

At Rochester Laser Center, our aestheticians use SkinCeuticals chemical peels, which they customize based on your particular skin situation. Depending on the severity of your acne scars, your Rochester Laser Center aesthetician may recommend a light or mild chemical peel. Deep chemical peels generally aren’t recommended for acne scars. 

At your appointment, you lie comfortably in a beauty chair while your aesthetician performs the chemical peel. Your aesthetician cleans your face and protects your eyes and hair. Then, the chemical peel solution is brushed onto your face. You may experience a tingling sensation and coldness. If your peel is more intense, you may feel a slight burning sensation, kind of like the way Icy Hot® feels when you apply it to sore muscles. 

What happens after your chemical peel depends on the type of peel you received, plus your skin’s individual tolerance to it. Some patients experience redness and sensitivity, while others feel just fine. You may need a few days of downtime where you don’t get any direct sun exposure and you limit exercise. Don’t worry: Your aesthetician makes sure you leave the clinic feeling confident about how to take care of your skin after a chemical peel. 

Chemical Peeling At Home Naturally

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What’s a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is a higher strength skin exfoliant with a pH that’s generally around 2.0. When most people think about chemical exfoliation, they’re probably familiar with the lower strength stuff like Paula’s Choice 2% BHA, or the COSRX BHA (my personal favorite).

These types of exfoliants differ from chemical peels for two reasons:

They have a higher pH.
There’s less overall acid inside the product.
When you’re looking at which chemical peels to buy, make sure your chemical peels have a pH of around 2.0. When the pH of a solution is at 2.0 or below, it means the entire percentage of that acid in the product is “free” to exfoliate your skin. However, when the pH is even slightly raised, less of that product will actually work.

For example, say we have a 5 percent salicylic acid product with a pH of 2.0 — that 5 percent would be completely “free” to work its exfoliating magic. But when the pH of that salicylic acid is raised slightly, less of that 5 percent is actually active.

If you want the full effect of the chemical peel, then make sure your product has a pH of around 2.0. If all that’s a little confusing, just know that a chemical peel is simply a stronger version of over-the-counter chemical exfoliating products, and as such requires a lot of caution when using at home.

What does a chemical peel do?
It makes your skin (and you) sexy!

Joking aside, chemical peels have a lot of benefits! These include, but aren’t limited to:

deep chemical exfoliation
treating hyperpigmentation and other skin discolorations
facial rejuvenation
unclogging pores
getting rid of acne
reducing the depth of wrinkles or acne scarring
brightening skin tone
enhancing the absorption of other skin care products
In other words, have a problem? There’s a chemical peel out there with your name and solution on it.

Types of chemical peels and recommendations
In terms of strength, there are three varieties:

1. Superficial peels
   Also known as “lunchtime peels” — because they involve little to no downtime — superficial peels penetrate minimally, exfoliate gently, and are best suited for mild skin problems like minor discoloration or rough texture.

Examples: Peels using mandelic, lactic, and low-strength salicylic acid normally fall under this category.

2. Medium peels
   These penetrate more deeply (middle layer of skin), target damaged skin cells, and are best suited for moderate skin problems like superficial scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, and troublesome discoloration, like melasma or age spots.

Medium peels have even been used in the treatment of precancerous skin growths.

Examples: High-percentage glycolic acid, Jessner, and TCA peels fall under this category.

3. Deep peel
   As the name implies, these penetrate the middle layer of skin very deeply. They target damaged skin cells, moderate to severe scarring, deep wrinkles, and skin discoloration.

Examples: High-percentage TCA and phenol chemical peels fall under this category. However, you should never do a deep peel at home. Save that for the top-of-the-line professionals.

Most skin peels done at home will fall into the superficial category. Extreme caution should be taken with medium-strength peels.

What kind of chemical peel ingredient should I buy?
In terms of ingredients, there are a lot of different options to choose from. Because we’re all about simplicity here, here’s a list of common chemical peels, listed from weakest to strongest, with quick summaries of what they do.

Enzyme peels
This is the lightest peel of the bunch and is considered a “natural” option because it’s a fruit derivative. It’s especially great for people with sensitive skin or people who can’t tolerate acids.

But unlike alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), it doesn’t actually increase cellular turnover. Instead, enzyme peels work to remove dead skin and refine pores in a way that doesn’t make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Enzyme peel products
GreatFull Skin Pumpkin Enzyme Peel
Protégé Beauty Pumpkin Enzyme Peel
Mandelic acid
Mandelic acid improves texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. It’s beneficial for acne and helps hyperpigmentation without the irritation or erythema (redness) that glycolic acid can induce. It’s more effective on your skin than glycolic acid when used in combination with salicylic acid.

Mandelic acid products
MUAC 25% Mandelic Acid Peel
Cellbone Technology 25% Mandelic Acid
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is another good starting peel because it’s considered lightweight and gentle. It smooths skin, provides a glow, helps with minor wrinkles, and is better than glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and general skin discolorations. In addition, it’s more hydrating.

Lactic acid products
Makeup Artists Choice 40% Lactic Acid Peel
Lactic Acid 50% Gel Peel
Salicylic acid
This is by far one of best peels for treating acne. It’s oil-soluble, meaning it’ll effectively get into the crooks and crannies of pores to dissolve any congestion and debris.

Unlike glycolic acid and other AHAs, salicylic acid doesn’t increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, which could in turn lead to UV-induced erythema. In addition to treating acne, it’s great for:

• chemical peels are used to remove damaged skin cells, revealing healthier skin underneath
• there are different types of peels: light, medium, and deep

Safety:

• when conducted by a board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon, licensed healthcare provider, or trained skin care specialist, chemical peels are exceptionally safe
• it’s essential to follow your provider’s postop instructions carefully

Convenience:

• light chemical peels do not require much down time
• medium and deep chemical peels can require two to three weeks of recovery time
• the procedures can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes

Cost:

• the cost of chemical peels depends on the type of peel you get
• the average cost of a chemical peel is $673

What are chemical peels?

Chemical peels are cosmetic treatments that can be applied to the face, hands, and neck. They’re used to improve the appearance or feel of the skin. During this procedure, chemical solutions will be applied to the area being treated, which causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off. Once this happens, the new skin underneath is often smoother, appears less wrinkled, and may have less damage.

There are a number of reasons people may get chemical peels. They may be trying to treat a variety of things, including:

• wrinkles and fine lines
• sun damage
• acne scars
• hyperpigmentation
• scars
• melasma
• uneven skin tone or redness

What type of chemical peels can I get?

There are three different types of chemical peels that you can get. These include:

• Superficial peels, which use mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate. It only penetrates the outermost layer of skin.
• Medium peels, which use trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to reach the middle and outer layer of skills. This makes it more effective for removing damaged skin cells.
• Deep peels, which fully penetrate the middle layer of the skin to remove damaged skin cells; these peels often use phenol or tricholoracetic acid.

How much do chemical peels cost?

Chemical peels are almost always considered a cosmetic procedure, and insurance rarely covers it. You’ll be paying for the procedure out of pocket. Your initial consultation visit, however, may be covered by insurance.

The cost of the procedure will vary depending on factors like location, expertise of the provider, and what type of peel you want to get. Light peels can cost as low as $150, and deep peels can cost $3,000 or more (specifically if it requires anesthesia, or in-patient stays). According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the current average cost of a chemical peel is $673.

How is a chemical peel done?

Chemical peels are typically done in-office; deep peels may be done in an outpatient surgical facility. Before the procedure, they will likely have you tie back your hair. Your face will be cleaned, and eye protection like goggles or gauze may be applied.

Your doctor may numb the area with a topical anesthetic, especially if you’re receiving a deep peel. For deep peels, your doctor may also use a regional anesthetic, which will numb large areas. They are particularly likely to do this if you’re having your face and neck treated. For deep peels, you’ll also be given an IV, and your heart rate will be closely monitored.

Light peel

During a light peel a cotton ball, gauze, or brush will be used to apply a chemical solution like salicylic acid to the area being treated. The skin will start to whiten, and may have a slight stinging sensation. Once complete, the chemical solution will be removed or a neutralizing solution will be added.

Medium peel

During a medium chemical peel, your doctor will use a gauze, special sponge, or a cotton-tipped applicator to apply the chemical solution to your face. This may contain glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid. A blue color may be added to the trichloroacetic acid, commonly known as a blue peel. The skin will begin to whiten, and your doctor will apply a cool compress to the skin. You may feel stinging or burning for up to 20 minutes. No neutralizing solution is needed, though they may give you a hand-held fan to cool your skin. If you’ve had the blue peel you will have a blue coloring of your skin that may last for several days after the peel.

Deep peel

During a deep chemical peel, you will be sedated. The doctor will use a cotton-tipped applicator to apply phenol to your skin. This will turn your skin white or gray. The procedure will be done in 15-minute portions, to limit the skin exposure to the acid.

How do you prepare for a chemical peel?

Before your procedure, you’ll first have a consultation with the skin care specialist. During this visit, they’ll help you determine what the best treatment option is for you. They’ll let you know the details about the specific peel you’ll be getting, and they’ll ask about anything that could interfere with the peel. This may include whether you’ve taken acne medication, and information about whether or not you scar easily.

Before a chemical peel, you must:

• not use any type of retinol or retin-A topical medication for at least 48 hours
• inform your skin care specialist about any medications you take
• not have been on Accutane for at least six months

Your doctor may also recommend that you:

• take an antiviral medication if you have a history of fever blisters or cold sores to prevent a breakout around the mouth
• use special lotions to improve treatment, like glycolic acid lotion
• use a retinoid cream to prevent skin darkening
• stop waxing, epilating, or using depilatory hair removal products the week before the peel. You should also avoid hair bleaching.
• stop using facial scrubs and exfoliants the week before the peel.
• arrange for a ride home, especially for medium or deep chemical peels, which will require you to be sedated.

If your doctor prescribes a painkiller or sedative, take it according to their instructions; you’ll likely have to take it before you come to the office.

What are the risks and possible side effects of a chemical peel?

Common side effects are temporary, and include redness, dryness, stinging or burning, and slight swelling. With deep peels, you may permanently lose the ability to tan.

Chemical peels can, however, have more serious risks and dangerous side effects that can be permanent. These include:

• Darkening or lightening of the skin color. These can be more common in people with darker skin.
• Scarring. This can be permanent.
• Infections. People with herpes simplex may experience flares following a treatment. Very rarely, chemical peels can cause fungal or bacterial infections.
• Heart, liver, or kidney damage. The phenol used in deep peels can actually damage the heart muscle, kidneys, and liver, and cause irregular heartbeats.

What to expect after

Recovery time varies depending on which chemical peel you received.

Light chemical peels

Recovery time is about four to seven days. Your skin may temporarily be lighter or darker.

Medium chemical peels

Your skin will recover about five to seven days after a medium chemical peel, though you may have redness that persists for months. Your skin will initially swell, and then form crusts and brown blotches before revealing new skin.

Deep chemical peels

Deep chemical peels will cause severe swelling and redness, with burning or throbbing sensations. It’s common for the eyelids to swell shut. It will take about two weeks for the new skin to develop, though white spots or cysts may last several weeks. It’s common for redness to last for several months.

During recovery, follow your doctor’s postop instructions faithfully. They’ll give you specific instructions for how often to wash your face and moisturize, and which products you should use to do so. Try to stay out of the sun until your skin has healed, and avoid using makeup or other cosmetics until your doctor gives you the go-ahead. You can use ice packs for 20 minutes at a time, or a cool fan, to help relieve discomfort at home.