Introduction

According to Dr. Richard Nahas, a chemical peel is a form of aesthetic treatment that involves the use of a chemical solution to strip away the outer layer of the skin to promote the growth of healthy skin. It is also known as chemical exfoliation or chemexfoliation since it encourages the exfoliation of dead skin cells to rejuvenate your skin and improve the production of elastin and collagen.

The Guide

It is a very safe procedure when administered by an experienced medical practitioner. Based on their potency and active ingredients, chemical peels can be categorized into three different types. Here are the different types of chemical peels:

Superficial peel – Superficial peels are used to remove only the outer layers of the epidermis that make up the dead skin cells. As a result, they are also known as “light peels” or “lunchtime peels”. Superficial peels can be used to treat a variety of skin issues such as acne and acne scarring, uneven texture, fine lines, dullness, pigmentation, and more.
There are many types of superficial peel, and they are chosen according to your Fitzpatrick skin type. These include blended acid peels. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), modified Jessner’s solution, retinoids, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), Salicylic acid, and more. Thus, it is important to consult with your aesthetician to choose your treatment option.

These can be performed by a board-certified physician, aesthetician, or even at home but it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist if you choose the DIY route.

Medium peel – Medium peels offer more powerful results than superficial peels and are suitable for treating skin issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, acne scars, and actinic keratoses, sun damage, uneven skin tone, and more. Common medium peels include TCA, modified Jessner’s solution, and glycolic acid.
These exfoliate cells within the papillary dermis by penetrating the entire epidermal layer. Thus, it is important to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist before the treatment to avoid any unwanted complications. Although, aestheticians are also allowed to perform moderate peels in some states.

Deep peel – Deep chemical peels are the most aggressive form of treatment that penetrates several layers of the skin to offer dramatic results. These remove the entire epidermis, the papillary dermis, and may also penetrate into the reticular dermis. As a result, it induces a faster rate of collagen production that helps to treat severe skin issues including deep acne scars, pre-cancerous growths, skin laxity, sun damage, fine lines and deep wrinkles.
However, they also carry the highest risks and are thus not recommended in most cases unless they are the only option left. Deep peels are performed by highly trained and experienced board-certified medical professionals. Deep peels include Baker-Gordon peel which is a mixture of phenol and croton oil.

Conclusion

Dr. Richard Nahas suggests you follow the recommended pre-treatment skincare as prescribed by your dermatologist to prepare for the chemical peel. The more intensive the chemical peel, the higher skincare you will require to prevent any issues.