Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. The precise formula used may be adjusted to meet each patient's needs.

A chemical peel can restore a more youthful appearance to wrinkled, unevenly pigmented, sun-damaged, or blotchy skin.However, a peel cannot reverse the aging process or completely remove deep scars.

Deciding if chemical peel is right for you

Chemical peel is most commonly performedfor cosmetic reasons — to enhance your appearance and your self confidence.Chemical peel may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and even control acne. Chemical peel is especially useful for the fine wrinkles on cheeks,forehead, and around the eyes, and the vertical wrinkles around the mouth. The chemical solution can be applied to the entire face, or to a specific area.

During the procedure, most people feel a brief burning sensation, followed by a feeling of numbness or stinging. The sensation will vary depending on the type of peel as well as the possible of pain medications in the case of deep peels. The AHA, BHA and TCA peeks are uncomfortable only during treatment. The phenol peel may have discomfort after the procedure.

What can I expect after a chemical peel?

After a chemical peel, most people experience some facial swelling and reddening. Your doctor may advise you to keep your head elevated. The recovery period is different for each type of chemical peel. Here's what you might expect:

• Light peels — Generally cause some flaking, redness and dryness, or skin irritation. These side effects diminish over time. Once the body heals itself naturally, the outer layer of skin will fall away. Patients are usually able to engage in normal public activities the day after a light peel.
• Medium peels — May cause significant swelling, depending on the potency of the chemical solution that was used. Swelling should diminish after the first week. The skin will heal sufficiently to resume normal activities in approximately 7-10 days.
• Deep peels — Your doctor may prescribe a mild pain medication to relieve any discomfort. If a waterproof adhesive is applied to the treated area, it will be removed in 1-2 days, and you'll be instructed to cover the area with antiseptic powder several times a day. A scab will form and, within 7-10 days, new skin will form. While the skin will be red at first, the color will lighten over a few weeks to a few months.

After any peel, it is critically important that the skin be protected from the sun. Ask your doctor to recommend a sun block with both UVA and UVB protection, and apply it daily. After the procedure, the doctor may recommend that the patient stop smoking for at least a week. Smoking decreases circulation of the blood in the skin, which can slow your recovery.

Chemical Peel Packages

We offered a variety of packages that are customized to your diagnosis

Melasma Chemical Peel Package

Melasma is a skin condition that causes our melanocytes to produce too much color causing a grey brown discoloration on our skin.  Common Melasma triggers are sun exposure and hormonal changes often during pregnancy.  Our Melasma package contains the following:

• One Vitalize Peel from our SkinMedica line. This chemical peel works great for patients with pigmentary changes.  It can be done on all skin types. The peeling solution is used with Retinoic acid which causes exfoliation and peeling.
• Three Rejuvenize Peelsfrom our SkinMedica line.  This is the deepest peel we carry This peel can be preformed on most skin types. It helps exfoliate and peel to diminish discoloration caused by Melasma.
• One Epiquin Micro Creamis a prescription medication that contains a combination of retinol and hydroquinone to help exfoliate and treat melasma.  It can be used twice a day as an at home therapy.
• One TriRetinol Complex is from our SkinMedica line.  This is a cream that contains three forms of vitamin A to improve the appearance of dark spots by gently exfoliating the skin. It enhances skin texture to renew and revitalize.  Since it is a sustained release formulation, it delivers vitamin A slowly to minimize irritation and can be used nightly. It also helps improve the appearance of fine lines, aging and sun-damaged skin.
• One Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 from SkinMedica. Sunscreen is an important component of any melasma treatment plan.  This sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine and green tea which nourish and moisturize the skin while efficient sunblocks fight UVA and UVB rays.

Sensitive/Rosacea Chemical Peel Package

Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes patients to flush or get red easily.  More aggressive rosacea can also cause acne-like lesions to appear around the nose, mouth and chin.  We have formulated a treatment regimen specific for our patients with these sensitive skin issues.  Our Rosacea/Sensitive Skin package includes the following:

• One Salicylic Peel from our SkinCeuticals line. This peel contains a mixture of salicylic acid and glycolic acid. The salicylic acid helps refine the pores and helps reduce the appearance of acne while the glycolic acid helps minimize blotchiness and uneven skin tone.
• Two Vitalize Peels from our SkinMedica line. This chemical peel works great for patients with pigmentary changes.  It can be done on all skin types.  The peeling solution is used with Retinoic acid with causes exfoliation and peeling.
• One Facial Cleanser from our SkinMedica line.  This is a foaming soap free facial cleanser that gently purges dirt, make up and environmental pollutants from the skin as it hydrates and refreshes. It can be used twice a day.
• One Dermal Repair Cream from our SkinMedica line.  This is a vitamin A and C enriched facial cream that intensely hydrates and replenishes dry skin with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. It can be applied either in the morning or at night once a day.
• One TriRetinol Complex from our SkinMedica line. This cream contains three forms of vitamin A to decrease oil production as well as mildly exfoliate the skin and diminish dark spots left from acne.  It also enhances skin texture to renew and revitalize.  Since it is a sustained release formulation, it delivers vitamin A slowly to minimize irritation and can be used nightly. It also improves the appearance of fine lines, aging and sun-damaged skin.

Acne Chemical Peel Package

Acne is a common skin condition that affects many adolescents and young adults.  Our Acne Peel Package includes the following:

• Three Salicylic Peels from our SkinCeuticals line. This peel contains a mixture of salicylic acid and glycolic acid. The salicylic acid helps refine the pores and helps reduce the appearance of acne while the glycolic acid helps minimize blotchiness and uneven skin tone.
• One Facial Cleanser: from our SkinMedica line.  This is a foaming soap free facial cleanser that gently purges dirt, make up and environmental pollutants from the skin as it hydrates and refreshes. It can be used twice a day.
• One Blemish and Age Defense from our SkinCeuticals line. This solution reduces excess sebum production, reduces acne-causing P. acnes bacteria and reduces blotchiness, blemishes, and evens skin tone. It can be applied to problem areas up to three times a day.
• One LHA Toner from our SkinCeuticals line. LHA solution helps improve skin tone and texture and removes dirt, oil, and other cellular debris that lead to breakouts. This solution can be used twice a day.
• One Ultra Sheer Moisturizer from our SkinMedica line. This moisturizer is great for acne-prone skin. It is a light, oil-free formula that effectively hydrates skin while antioxidant vitamins C and E protect against free radical damage. The light formulation does not feel heavy or cause facial shine. This can be used every morning before makeup application.

Adult Acne Chemical Peel Package

Unfortunately, acne is not a condition that occurs only in adolescents. Many adults can be affected by this condition. Mature acne prone skin has different needs from teenagers with acne. Our Adult Acne Chemical Peel package includes the following:

• Two Vitalize Peels from our SkinMedica line. This chemical peel works great for patients with acne prone skin and discoloration from breakouts. It can be done on all skin types.  The peeling solution is used with Retinoic acid with causes exfoliation and peeling.
• One Rejuvenize Peels from our SkinMedica line. This is the deepest peel we carry. This peel can be performed on most skin types. The peel penetrates deeply to help minimize breakouts and fade discoloration left from acne lesions.
• One Purifying Toner from our SkinMedica line. This toner purifies and refreshes skin with a combination of salicylic acid, tea tree oil, willow bark extract and other ingredients designed to reduce clogged pores and control breakouts. It can be used in the morning and at night.
• One Ultra Sheer Moisturizer from our SkinMedica line. This moisturizer is great for acne prone skin. It is a light, oil-free formula that effectively hydrates skin while antioxidant vitamins C and E protect against free radical damage. It can be applied every morning before makeup application. The light formulation does not feel heavy or cause facial shine. This can be used every morning before makeup application.
• One Clarifying Cleanser from our SkinCeuticals line. This cleanser combines salicylic acid with the exfoliating powers of microbeads plus glycolic and mandelic acids to unclog pores and help improve the appearance of problematic skin. It can be used morning and night.