Peel Away your concerns: Chemical Rejuvenation
What are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels are transformative treatments that utilize a precise blend of acids to gently exfoliate your skin's outer layers. By dissolving dead skin cells, they reveal a brighter, and more rejuvenated complexion. We use chemical peels for aesthetic dermatology purposes only, so we will not sell you on results that are unobtainable. The Chemical peels we perform all fall into the superficial peel category, with some patients we may consider a low strength medium peel.
- Superficial Peels: These peels utilize gentle acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, low strength TCA and Jessner's solution, which all require multiple treatments for optimal results.
- Great for melasma or for those chemical peel enthusiasts out there.
- Medium Peels: Formulated with stronger acids like trichloroacetic acid, medium peels are effective for treating deeper issues like acne scarring, wrinkles, and sun damage. These peels typically require one to two treatments.
- Smart Skin does not offer these peels.
- For most patients changing course away from a peel to a fractional non-ablative resurfacing technique such as Frax or Pico laser makes much more sense.
- Deep Peels: Deep peels are the most intense and are reserved for severe concerns like deep wrinkles and scarring. These peels utilize phenol and require significant downtime and recovery.
- While there are still professionals that perform these types of treatments, we find CO2 laser resurfacing offers more predictable and better results with less associated risks.
We outline these differences in peel types to shed light on marketing tactics. Can a chemical peel do what it claims? Technically yes, however all of the peels you would receive at a typical spa are superficial and a weak superficial peel at that.
chemical peels: The Smart Skin Difference
Our Board-certified Dermatologist and Advanced Practice Providers are chemical peel connoisseurs, crafting personalized treatments to optimize your results and minimize downtime. Here's why you should choose Smart Skin Dermatology for your peel:
We are Chemically Different
We leave the chocolate and berries in the kitchen. You will only find one ingredient in all of our peels, acid. We source straight, medically available acids for our peels. Peels are at the lower end of our offerings so we don’t feel the need to make them fancy with ingredients that won’t deliver more than a different tingle sensation.
Love Hate Relationship
We love chemical peels but we hate that people across the country throw their money away on them trying to achieve the impossible. We pride ourselves in helping patients balance their goals with treatment deliverables.
Comprehensive Technologies
We have access to a full range of treatment options. We have solutions to all needs and won’t be subject to recommending something just because that’s what we have like most practices.
Dermatologists are Skin Specialists
We know everything there is to know about skin. This allows us to go beyond what can be achieved at a spa or plastic surgeon’s office to give you the best recommendations for your goals.
Patients for Life Transparency
We want patients for life, not for one round of treatment. This means we won’t sell you on hopes and dreams. Seeking out cosmetic intervention is hard enough without the car salesman approach. We promise to provide options to meet you where you are at and retain you for life.
Ready to peel away the years and reveal your best skin? Schedule your consultation today!
Cut through the marketing noise:
- Do chemical peels hurt? They tend to tingle and feel hot. We mitigate this with cooling.
- How long does it take to see results? You'll notice an immediate improvement in brightness, with more dramatic results emerging in days or weeks depending on the peel depth.
- How many sessions do I need? As many as you want, unless it is for melasma where you stop once you are happy and do maintenance treatments. These are pampering and will help provide a glow and rejuvenation that can be repeated to your heart's content.
- Is it safe for all skin types? Not all peels are suitable for every skin type or condition. A consultation is crucial to assess your suitability.
- Will it cause sun sensitivity? Peels can increase sun sensitivity, so daily SPF 30+ sunscreen is essential.
chemical peel Treatment Areas
Face
Address wrinkles, uneven tone, sun damage, melasma and enlarged pores for a clear, radiant complexion.
Neck & Décolletage
Rejuvenate delicate skin for a youthful neckline.
chemical peel Treatment Targets
Melasma
This is our go to treatment for melasma. Melasma patients struggle with the permanent lifelong component. This is an even harder struggle when they consider the cost of some treatments. Chemical peels will be sufficient for most patients and is why we always start here to help melasma patients identify a repeatable treatment that won’t break the bank.
Wrinkles & Fine Lines
We have better treatment options for patients with wrinkles and fine lines that will provide much better results. A very minimal amount of improvement can be achieved with peels.
Sun Damage & Age Spots
Minimize discoloration, freckles, and sun spots for a brighter, more even skin tone. Still not our go-to treatment for this, but for you chemical peel advocates out there, this is worth mentioning.
Acne
Some chemical peels can do great for acne patients. They work to dry out the skin and address current oil accumulation.
Large Pores
Refine the appearance of enlarged pores for a smoother, more polished finish.
Preventative & Aging Gracefully
Regular or semi-regular peels help promote regular cell turnover. We would recommend patients consider doing these as part of their regular pampering.
chemical peel Post-Treatment Care
Sun protection
SPF 30+ sunscreen is essential to protect your rejuvenated skin.
Gentle cleansing & moisturizing
Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer suitable for your skin type.
Hydration
Stay hydrated to support your skin's healing process.
Minimize picking
Resist the urge to pick at scabs or imperfections, as this can lead to scarring.
Similar treatments on the market:
- AviClear. Some chemical peels can do great for acne patients, however they work to dry out the skin and address current oil accumulation only. The AviClear targets the oil glands themselves, stopping future production of oil.
- IPL Photofacial. An IPL is a step up and is the clear recommendation for treating sun damage or pigmentation in general. IPL’s however, are not recommended for melasma patients because it's a 50/50 chance of actually worsening melasma pigment.
- Frax / Pico Resurfacing. Frax / Pico resurfacing does what a lot of misleading marketing says a chemical peel does. It treats pigment, sun damage, texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. We typically recommend these where other places will sell you on miracle chemical peels.
- CO2 Laser. There is a dramatic difference between a CO2 laser and chemical peels. It takes about 6-8 Frax / Pico Resurfacing treatments to equal one CO2 treatment. Doing the math, if every 4-6 chemical peels is the same as one Frax / Pico then you would need 50+ chemical peels to approach the CO2 laser.
- Microneedling. Microneedling is not really comparable. No real textural improvement will be seen with chemical peels in comparison to microneedling.
- Hydrafacial. Hydrafacials are a fancy chemical peel which also hydrates. Usually a hydrafacial has about half the peel strength but also hydrates the skin.
Chemical Peel Possible Side Effects:
- Redness
- Peeling
- Swelling (temporary)
- Stinging (temporary)
- Increased sun sensitivity
