Exfoliation is an essential step in any skincare routine. It allows new cells to come to the surface and create a radiant glow. Exfoliating can improve your skin’s texture, elasticity, and even combat signs of aging or reduce dark spots.
Physical exfoliation is the most popular form of exfoliation at home because it typically uses microbeads in a scrub to slough off the skin from the surface. This form of exfoliation may not be as effective as chemical exfoliants or chemical peels.
Chemical peels are a professional procedure performed by a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. While you can use over-the-counter chemical exfoliants at home, you still risk damaging your skin if you don’t follow a supportive skincare routine.
Chemical peels can treat various skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and more. There is a chemical peel for almost every skin type and varying levels of intensity based on your needs.
So what are the types of chemical peels? There are three main types of chemical peels categorized by intensity, and they each use a chemical exfoliant to treat the skin. It’s always best to consult with a derm to find the best peel for you.
If you want to understand all there is to know about chemical peels and all the benefits they have to offer, keep reading!
What Is A Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are an exfoliating service often provided in skincare clinics, spas, or a doctor’s office. They use a chemical solution or exfoliant to eliminate dead skin to bring new cells to the skin’s surface to treat various skin concerns.
For example, chemical peels are used to combat signs of aging, or treat acne and discoloration. There are three types of chemical peels, each with its own intensities.
These peels are performed by a licensed dermatologist or skin care specialist and executed in a professional setting. These skincare pros will identify what chemical peel and solution will work the best for you.
Chemical peels can be highly intense, and it’s crucial to follow a supportive skincare routine before and after a chemical peel.
Types Of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are grouped into three categories: light/superficial, medium, and deep. The most common peels are light peels because they aren’t as invasive as the other peels and can be performed on almost any skin type.
Medium and deep peels can be a little more aggressive because they treat past the outermost layer of the skin and usually require downtime or recovery. Because these peels are more extreme, your provider will guide you through proper preparation and aftercare.
Light/Superficial Peels
Light peels have many names. They’re also known as superficial peels or lunchtime peels because they usually require little to no recovery.
They are the most familiar or popular type of peel because it only removes skin from the outermost layer.
Also, light peels can be repeated over a certain period to see results. Your licensed skin specialist or dermatologist will determine how often you get a chemical peel. You’ll need to follow up with a supportive aftercare routine.
Process
What kind of chemical solution is used in a light peel? Again, it will depend on your provider and your skin’s needs.
However, mild exfoliating solutions are used during a light peel. As mentioned earlier, it requires little to no downtime, and it’s not as harsh as medium/deep peels.
You’ll notice that Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are common to use in light peels. These chemical exfoliants can be found over the counter in serums and are produced by many skincare brands.
Pros & Cons
Light peels can combat signs of aging after a few sessions. In addition, light peels can treat mild signs of aging like fine lines, minimal discoloration, or other skin issues.
Also, light peels can regulate oil production or treat mild forms of acne.
Other superficial peels can be paired with a retinoid acid to penetrate deeper. However, this is something to discuss with your provider, who can analyze your skin’s needs in person.
Downtime
We’ve mentioned that a light peel has little to no recovery or downtime.
Usually, anywhere between a few hours or seven days, your skin will return to its normal state. There are no follow-up visits, and you can care for your skin at home after the service.
However, it’s mandatory to apply sunscreen daily because chemical peels make your skin more susceptible to the sun and can worsen your concerns if you don’t protect your skin.
Medium Peels
Medium peels are more intense than light peels because they exfoliate the skin beyond its outermost layer. In addition, medium peels are most often used for more severe cases of aging, acne, discoloration, or sun damage.
Medium peels will also require a recovery period, and you may notice symptoms like swelling or redness. In addition, your provider may even prescribe specific creams to aid the healing process. Medium peels aren’t repeated frequently like light peels.
Process
According to Healthline, “medium peels use trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to reach the middle and outer layer of skills. This makes it more effective for removing damaged skin cells.”
Typically, this chemical solution will sit for a few minutes before removal.
Medium peels will exfoliate deeper than light peels, and it typically reaches the upper section of the middle layer. Medium peels are ideal for discoloration, wrinkles, scarring, or age spots that are settled deeper into the skin.
Pros & Cons
Medium peels are great to treat extremely uneven skin tones or moderate sun damage. In addition, they can target deep wrinkles or scarring leftover from acne.
However, there will be a recovery period, and you may need to avoid the sun at all costs during this time.
Downtime
The average recovery period for a medium peel is one to two weeks. In addition, you’ll most likely have stricter aftercare instruction or topical creams that will aid in the healing process.
Your provider might even recommend coming in for a follow-up appointment.
Deep Peels
Deep peels are the most intense and invasive chemical peel, and they are usually only performed once. In addition, some deep peels may even require you to be sedated and have an extensive healing process.
Deep peels will treat the same concerns as medium or light peels but for more extreme cases.
Process
Healthline states that “deep peels fully penetrate the middle layer of the skin to remove damaged skin cells; these peels often use phenol or trichloroacetic acid.”
The Cleveland Clinic claims deep peels are best “if you have moderate lines and wrinkles, extensive sun-damaged skin, deep acne scars, blotchy skin, and/or precancerous growths called actinic keratosis.”
Pros & Cons
A deep peel is not to be messed with and can be much more serious than medium or light peels. Deep peels can treat extreme cases of aging, scarring, discoloration, and actinic keratosis.
However, it may require months of aftercare to heal from this peel fully.
Downtime
The AAD Chemical Peels FAQS states the “healing time is 14-21 days and the area will be bandaged…total sun avoidance for 3-6 months…several follow-up visits are required during the first week.”
Deep peels will have a rigorous recovery period because it treats severe skin issues or concerns.
Benefits Of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can help achieve an improved skin texture more effectively than at-home products. In addition, they offer numerous benefits that create a youthful, radiant, and even skin tone. We touched earlier that it can treat aging and acne.
You’ll notice a brighter and smoother complexion and fewer fine lines. In addition, chemical peels can be used to treat melasma, freckles, age spots, rough or sun-damaged skin, acne, and signs of aging.
Chemical peels can also promote a healthy skin barrier, boost radiance, and improve elasticity. However, your results will also be determined by your aftercare regimen.
Side Effects Of Chemical Peels
Like any cosmetic service, chemical peels do have risks.
Minor side effects include redness, swelling, or dryness. These side effects can be minimized or treated by applying SPF daily. In addition, sunscreen will ensure you receive the max benefits from your peel.
However, more serious side effects include scarring or darkening/lightening the skin tone. In addition, any chemical peel can make you more susceptible to the sun, aggravating these side effects.
Which Chemical Peel Is Right For You?
How do you know which chemical peel will suit you the best? The best way to find out is by consulting a dermatologist or licensed skin specialist.
These professionals should be the only people performing chemical peels. Also, the application of a peel can hinder the results.
Consultations are crucial prior to a chemical peel because your doctor should analyze your needs and the skin’s current state. Multiple factors like acne, aging, skin type or skin tone, and more can determine what peel will suit you the best.
Skin Type & Needs
Consultations are important because they can help rule out the best chemical peel for you. For example, if you have minor signs of aging or have dry skin, you could benefit from a light peel using an AHA.
However, if you have a problem with acne or scarring, you may opt for a light peel with a BHA.
In addition, if you and your doctor decide your skin concerns are more severe, they may even offer a medium peel to exfoliate past the skin’s outermost layer.
Skintone
Chemical peels can enhance your skin tone, but they vary by person. Dark complexions may be at risk for discoloration, lightening, or scarring from a chemical peel. This is another reason why it’s crucial to consult with a dermatologist.
In addition, we mentioned that scarring could also be a side effect of chemical peels. Therefore, it’s essential to consider your skin tone to help achieve a radiant and even complexion with the right chemical peel.
How Often Can You Get A Chemical Peel?
How often you get a chemical peel will determine what type of peel you want or as often as recommended by your provider.
In addition, light, medium, and deep peels have varying recovery times and procedures that affect how frequently they’re performed.
Light peels are the most gentle and popular type of chemical peel. Because light or superficial peels only affect the outermost layer of the skin, they can be repeated regularly. Also, you will need multiple sessions to see results from a light peel.
Medium and Deep peels are usually performed when needed. However, they are more invasive than a light peel. Deep peels are only performed once. In addition, these peels have a longer recovery and healing process.
When Do You See Results?
Your results are dependent on numerous factors. For example, what type of peel you get, your skincare routine, provider, and aftercare regimen can all affect your outcome. In addition, it can depend on how often you receive a chemical peel.
With superficial peels, you can notice results after 3-5 sessions on average. Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, these sessions can be scheduled weeks or a month apart. Medium and deep peels will take longer to see results.
Who Should Avoid Chemical Peels?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “a chemical peel isn’t for everyone. Your doctor might caution against a chemical peel if you have taken oral acne medication, history of ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue, or have frequent outbreaks of cold sores.”
If you’re a person of color, you can still benefit from a chemical peel. However, it’s crucial to work with an experienced dermatologist who knows how to avoid pigmentation concerns or side effects that could arise after a chemical peel.
How To Prepare For A Chemical Peel
Most people know that aftercare is a crucial step following a chemical peel. However, your skin preparation before a chemical peel is also essential.
In most cases, your dermatologist or licensed skin specialist will advise the proper routine to perform before a chemical peel.
According to Healthline, “your doctor may recommend that you take an antiviral medication, use a retinoid cream, stop using depilatory hair removal products, and facial scrubs a week before the peel.”
Of course, these are just general guidelines, but your dermatologist will curate the correct steps for you and your chemical peel journey.
Aftercare
Aftercare is a necessary part of a chemical peel because to see results; you’ll need to maintain your skin long after your treatment. Chemical peels typically don’t provide lifetime results, and we’ll need to get a light peel frequently to maintain results.
However, it would help if you had a consistent and supportive skin regimen after a chemical peel to preserve your skin and results.
In addition, doctors may prescribe a special cream that aids in the healing process or even create a thorough skincare routine.
You’ll want to avoid picking, peeling, or squeezing the skin after your peel. In addition, sunscreen must be applied daily. Not only is your skin more susceptible to the sun after a peel, but it can also hinder your results and solidify signs of aging or acne.
Final Thoughts
While chemical peels provide numerous benefits for the skin, they have some risks. Light peels are performed regularly to combat signs of aging or acne, while medium or deep peels target more severe skin conditions.
If you’re looking to find out if you can benefit from a chemical peel, contact a dermatologist or licensed skin professional for a consultation.
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