Chemical Peel

In a chemical peel the doctor applies one or more chemical agents to specific layers of the skin. This creates controlled damage, which renews and rejuvenates the skin and improves how it looks.

The aim is to reach the intended depth in the layers of the skin. As the skin heals and regenerates, that healing triggers the production of collagen and elastin.

A chemical peel is a delicate procedure. The deeper it goes into the skin, the higher the risk of a complication. It should therefore be done under the right people, both for the result and for the health of the skin.

It is usually done in the winter months, because the skin has to be protected from the sun afterwards. Times when the weather is not sunny are preferred.

What it treats

• Fine wrinkles caused by sun, burns and heredity
• Age spots and sun spots, and freckles
• Rough red patches that carry a cancer risk
• Dark patches on the face, and melasma, which is hormonal or pregnancy pigmentation
• Rosacea and active acne, where it helps healing, and acne scars, where it improves their appearance
• Oily skin and large pores, which it reduces

Where it is done

A doctor chooses an acid solution for the face and the neck, according to the state of the patient’s skin, and applies it in a hospital, a clinic or a consulting room.

The three depths

Superficial peel. It targets the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. At first there is mild burning, stinging and redness, and the skin recovers quickly. Fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and dryness are treated successfully. It is usually given in 4 to 8 sessions, at intervals of 1 to 4 weeks.

Medium peel. It targets the epidermis and the middle layer, the upper dermis. The peeling effect is deeper. The skin reddens first, then crusts and starts to peel. Healthier skin appears afterwards. It can be repeated 2 to 4 times at intervals of 2 to 4 months.

Deep peel. It reaches the epidermis, the dermis and the middle skin cells. Healing takes longer, because the procedure reaches a deeper layer. It is usually not repeated, and the skin reaches the intended appearance after a while.

What the skin does afterwards

Depending on the depth, there is mild redness or a reaction like sunburn.

After a superficial peel the redness lasts 1 to 5 days and the skin peels lightly.

After a medium peel, clear redness, swelling and tightness are normal, along with a brown layer on the skin. That layer peels off in 7 to 10 days.