Chemical peels are one of the most asked-about treatments here at our med spa, and once you understand what a peel really does, your curiosity usually turns into excitement.
A chemical peel is a professional skin resurfacing treatment that uses a custom blend of acids to gently lift away dull, tired skin and reveal the smoother, more fresh layer waiting underneath. We’ll walk you through what a chemical peel is, what it does, what to expect, and how to know if it’s the right next step for your skin.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
Think of a chemical peel as a reset button for your skin. A custom solution is applied to your face to lift away dead and damaged cells, making room for healthier, brighter skin to come through. There are three main depths to choose from: superficial, medium, and deep. Superficial peels work on the very top layer of your skin and offer a gentle refresh, medium peels reach a little further down for more noticeable correction, and deep peels go to the deepest structures of your skin for the most dramatic results.
The ingredients in your peel depend on your skin and what you want to achieve. Lighter peels often use glycolic or lactic acid, salicylic acid is great for acne-prone or oily skin, and stronger acids are used for medium and deep peels when your skin needs a deeper level of correction. Our chemical peels are far more effective than anything you can buy off the shelf, which is why working with a trained aesthetician makes all the difference. The best candidates are guests who want to address concerns like texture, tone, mild scarring, or early signs of aging on healthy, non-irritated skin.
What Does a Chemical Peel Do?
A chemical peel works by gently loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, which triggers a controlled exfoliation and encourages your skin to renew itself. The depth of your peel decides how much of that renewal happens and what kind of results you’ll see.
Superficial peels refresh the surface of your skin and are perfect for dullness, mild texture, and slightly uneven tone. Medium peels reach deeper to soften fine lines, fade sun damage, and address stubborn hyperpigmentation. Deep peels are reserved for more advanced concerns, like deeper wrinkles or significant acne scarring.
Chemical peels also stimulate collagen and elastin, the “youth proteins” that give your skin its firmness, bounce, and smoothness. Studies on professional peels have found that the right blend of acids can encourage your skin to produce more of these proteins and even help reverse some of the visible damage caused by years of sun exposure (1). This is also why your skin keeps looking better in the weeks following your appointment, similar to how microneedling continues to improve your skin long after the treatment is over.
What Should You Expect Before, During & After Your Chemical Peel?
In the days leading up to your peel, your aesthetician will likely ask you to pause retinol and other strong active ingredients, use a gentle cleanser, and be especially diligent with SPF. A consultation is always part of our process so we can get to know your skin and tailor your peel to your goals.
During your treatment, the solution is applied to clean, prepped skin. Most guests describe the feeling as a mild tingling or light stinging that fades within a few minutes. The treatment itself usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of peel.
Afterward, your downtime depends on the depth of your peel. Superficial peels may bring a few days of light flaking, medium peels often involve more visible peeling for about a week, and deep peels require longer to fully heal. Your aesthetician will walk you through every step of aftercare so your skin is supported from start to finish.
What Are the Benefits of a Chemical Peel?
One of the reasons our patients love chemical peels so much is how many concerns a single treatment can address. Whether you’re chasing smoother texture, a brighter complexion, or relief from stubborn pigmentation, peels offer a noticeable difference in how your skin looks and feels. Other great benefits of chemical peels include:
- Softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Fades dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and melasma
- Refines skin texture for a smoother feel
- Reveals a more even, radiant complexion
- Helps clear pores to reduce breakouts and improve acne scarring
- Stimulates collagen production for longer-term skin health
- Fully customizable to your skin’s unique needs
- Improves absorption so your at-home skincare works harder
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
The number of chemical peels you’ll need depends on your goals and the type of peel that’s right for you. Superficial peels are typically done in a series of three to six treatments spaced a few weeks apart for the best results. Medium peels often only require one or two sessions, and deep peels are usually a one-time treatment with longer-lasting effects.
Maintenance peels every few months can help your skin hold onto those results once you’ve reached your goals. Just like facials are scheduled based on your age and skin type, the most effective plan is one tailored specifically to you, which is something we’ll always create together during your consultation.
Is a Chemical Peel Right for You?
Chemical peels work beautifully for a wide range of skin types and tones, but the right peel for you depends on factors like your skin type and tone, your current skincare routine, and the concerns you want to address. There are also a few situations where peels aren’t recommended, including active breakouts, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and certain medications, like isotretinoin (which is a strong oral retinoid).
The best way to know if a chemical peel is right for your skin is to come in for a consultation. Our team will get to know your skin, talk through your goals, and help you decide which peel will give you the results you’re looking for. You can also schedule a VISIA® Skin Analysis for a deeper look at your skin so we can build a plan that’s truly tailored to you.
When performed by qualified professionals, chemical peels are a trusted, proven treatment that can completely transform how your skin looks and feels.
Resources
- Soleymani, T., Lanoue, J., & Rahman, Z. (2018). A practical approach to chemical peels: A review of fundamentals and step-by-step algorithmic protocol for treatment. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7928281/
