Which Type of Chemical Peel Is Right for You?

Chemical peels have been around since ancient Egypt, when Egyptians used sour milk and its byproduct, lactic acid, to reduce fine lines and sun spots. Today, modern medicine has a more sophisticated understanding of what acids do to the skin, and which acids are best used for different concerns.

If you struggle with an uneven skin tone, have spots, or have lines and want to learn how chemical peels address these concerns, read on as our expert, renowned facial plastic surgeon Oren Friedman, MD, explains chemical peel types and their uses.

Mild chemical peels

Chemical peels are a controlled injury to the skin. Depending on where the damage is located, on the surface or in deeper layers, the peel must penetrate those layers to create the desired effects.

When the acid in the peel “injures” the skin, your body’s defense mechanisms respond by releasing growth factors, collagen, and elastin to heal the area. In addition, old and damaged skin cells shed, leaving behind younger, more refreshed layers.

Mild or superficial peels focus on removing imperfections found on the surface of the skin. These often include mild hyperpigmentation, clogged pores, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.

For anti-aging concerns, glycolic acid is often the top choice, as it works to soften fine lines, refine skin texture, and brighten the skin.

For acne-prone skin, salicylic acid may be a better choice, as it penetrates deep into the pores, reduces oil production, clears clogged pores, and improves overall skin clarity.

Medium-depth chemical peels

Medium-depth peels typically use trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which can be customized to different strengths depending on your concerns and how deeply the chemical peel needs to reach to address them.

Mild peels act on the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, while medium-depth peels penetrate through the epidermis and into the upper dermis. At this depth, you’ll find collagen fibers and capillaries. Peels that reach this level provide more dramatic results and are commonly used for acne scars, pigmentation, fine wrinkles, and more significant signs of sun exposure.

Deep chemical peels

If your lines run deep, sun spots are significant, or acne scarring is extensive, deep peels may be the solution. While recovery is more involved, the results are also more dramatic. A deep phenol peel can remove years of accumulated damage by fully resurfacing the skin and stimulating collagen fibers and fibroblasts in the deeper dermal layers, leading to extensive skin remodeling.

Finding the right peel for your skin

Unlike creams, serums, and masks, chemical peels do not take weeks or months to produce results. Depending on the depth of the peel, improvements can be seen within days. 

When peels reach deeper layers of the skin, visible results may take longer to appear due to the recovery period; however, the deeper the peel, the more dramatic the transformation.

If you’ve always dreamed of smooth, blemish-free, and rejuvenated skin, yet over-the-counter (OTC) products have not provided sufficient results, learn which chemical peel is best suited to your aesthetic concerns. Contact us online or by phone today to schedule an appointment at Dr. Friedman’s offices in Philadelphia or Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.