Choosing Chemical Peels to Refresh Your Skin: A Quick Guide

In addition to injectables like BOTOX^® for reducing wrinkles, you can make your skin look more youthful and smooth with a variety of other skin treatments. One option is chemical peels, which our team at Dr. Happe Medical Aesthetics use on patients in Newton. Chemical peels—defined as the process of applying a caustic, medical-grade solution to the skin to cause the outer layer of the dermis and epidermis to shed away—are an effective means of achieving a clear complexion, enhancing the skin’s overall condition, and addressing certain skin issues. 

How Chemical Peels Are Applied 

Chemical peels are ideal for treating skin on the face, hands, neck, and chest.. Essentially, they cause controlled damage to isolated sections to stimulate healing.

For this exfoliating procedure, the first step involves cleansing the skin completely to take off any oil or makeup residue that can block the acid from properly penetrating the skin. 

One or more chemical products are then applied directly to the skin and left on for a specific amount of time. This can cause a slight burning feeling, because the peel causes a reaction that breaks up the damaged skin on the outer surface, making it gradually flake away. The effect is similar to a sunburn. In the following days, new, brighter, and softer skin is revealed.

Since your skin will be very sensitive after a peel, you’ll need to avoid sun exposure for a few months. 

Benefits of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels work well for improving the general tone and texture of the skin. They can lighten age spots and other discolorations, soften fine lines or wrinkles, reduce scars, calm breakouts, and speed up skin cell turnover. 

Types of Chemical Peels

There’s no “one size fits all” approach, when it comes to chemical peels. Instead, the treatment is customized for the patient’s needs. Chemical peels can be classified into three groups based on the depth of peeling: superficial, medium-depth, and deep-depth. There are many different acids used for chemical peels of varying concentrations, including glycolic acid, salicylic acid, kojic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid.

Contact Newton’s Dr. Happe Medical Aesthetics to learn more about the available peel and the benefits of chemical peels for your skin. Call us today at (617) 597-2600 or submit information via a contact form to learn about a free telehealth consultation.