Chemical peels are a popular skincare treatment that can be used to improve a variety of skin concerns. A chemical peel is a solution that is applied to the skin, which causes the outermost layer of skin to peel off. This reveals the fresh, new layer of skin underneath. Chemical peels can be used to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, sun damage, and more. There are different types of chemical peels, each with its own set of benefits. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of chemical peels and the conditions they treat.

Did you know that chemical peels have been around for centuries? They are one of the oldest cosmetic procedures; first used by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to improve the appearance of skin. In the early 1900s, they became popular in America as a way to treat skin conditions such as acne and wrinkles.

Today, chemical peels are still used for these same purposes. However, there are now many different types of chemical peels that can be used to treat a variety of different conditions. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most common types of chemical peels and the conditions that they treat.

Types of Chemical Peels

Superficial Chemical Peel

A superficial chemical peel is the most gentle type of peel. Superficial peels are often referred to as lunchtime peels because they have very little downtime, and you can go right back to work. It uses a mild chemical solution to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells. Superficial chemical peels are usually well-tolerated and have little to no downtime. It is often an alpha hydroxy acid peel.

What does a superficial chemical peel treat?

Superficial chemical peels can be used to treat fine lines, acne, dry skin, and uneven skin tone.

Medium Chemical Peel

A medium chemical peel uses a stronger chemical solution than a superficial peel. This type of peel penetrates deeper into the skin to remove damaged skin cells. It usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour to complete.. Medium peels may result in some redness and swelling, and there is typically some downtime associated with this type of peel. 

What does a medium chemical peel treat?

Medium chemical peels can be used to treat wrinkles, acne scars, and precancerous lesions.

Deep Chemical Peel

A deep chemical peel uses the strongest solution of all three types of peels. This type of peel removes damaged skin cells from deep within the skin. Deep peels reach the deepest layer of skin known as the subcutaneous tissue. This type of peel is only recommended for people with fair skin who have not tanned in recent months because it can cause permanent pigmentation changes in dark-skinned individuals. Deep peels usually take between 1-2 hours to complete. They may result in significant swelling and redness, and there is usually a week or more of downtime associated with this type of peel.

What does a deep chemical peel treat?

Deep chemical peels can be used to treat wrinkles, sun damage, and often precancerous lesions.

Chemical peels are a popular cosmetic treatment that can be used to improve the appearance of the skin. There are different types of chemical peels, and the type that is right for you will depend on your specific goals. Schedule your consultation at Ponsky Facial Plastic Surgery in Beachwood, Ohio to talk to Dr. Diana Ponsky about which type of peel is right for you!