Chemical Peels
Customizable Skin Resurfacing in the Denver Area
Chemical peels offer a powerful way to address various skin concerns by gently removing the top layers of damaged skin. Whether you’re looking to improve the appearance of fine lines, uneven skin tone or other surface imperfections, this treatment can leave you with a refreshed, revitalized complexion. With different combinations and strengths of ingredients, chemical peels at AboutSkin Dermatology and Aesthetics can be customized to your needs.
Here’s what you need to know about chemical peels at our Denver-area practice and how they can work for you.
What Can Chemical Peels Treat?
Chemical peels help improve overall skin quality (texture, lines, brown spots, etc.).Depending on the desired downtime, there are light, medium and deep peels. Light and medium peels (typically involving just a few days of downtime) can be beneficial for most skin types in people with acne and mild to moderate sun damage. Deeper peels (more downtime) are used for wrinkles and scarring.
Studies show that chemical peels significantly improve acne lesions and help with skin texture and pigmentation. Peels do not replace topical or systemic medicines, but they are very effective in enhancing and speeding the resolution of acne breakouts. They can also improve hyperpigmentation associated with acne or other conditions like melasma and can safely be used in people with darker skin types.
Our own Dr. Joel Cohen has written extensively on chemical peels for several scientific/academic medical journals.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Chemical peels use various active ingredients to exfoliate the skin and trigger the body’s natural healing process. Since many signs of aging and damage are found on the surface of the skin, removing that layer can provide a “cleaner slate” for patients of any gender seeking rejuvenation. Here’s how the chemical peel ingredients work:
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) known for its ability to penetrate and dissolve oil. This makes it ideal for acne-prone or oily skin.
It works by:
- Exfoliating deep into pores: Salicylic acid clears out congestion, which can help prevent future breakouts.
- Reducing inflammation: Its anti-inflammatory properties calm irritated skin, leaving it less red and swollen after treatment.
- Smoothing skin texture: By removing dead cells from the surface, salicylic acid reveals a smoother, more even complexion.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It’s one of the most commonly used acids for chemical peels due to its small molecular size that penetrates the skin effectively.
Here’s how it works:
- Promoting collagen production: Glycolic acid stimulates collagen, which enhances skin elasticity and helps reduce fine lines over time.
- Brightening the complexion: It exfoliates dead skin cells that can make your skin look dull, revealing a brighter and more radiant appearance.
- Minimizing pores: Regular use of glycolic acid can reduce the appearance of large pores by keeping them free from dirt and oil.
Jessner’s Solution
Jessner’s solution is a combination peel that typically includes lactic acid, salicylic acid and resorcinol. This blend offers a deeper peel with more dramatic results for those seeking more intense treatment.
It works by:
- Targeting multiple layers of skin: The combination of ingredients allows Jessner’s solution to penetrate deeper, making it ideal for treating severe sun damage or deeper pigmentation issues.
- Promoting even skin tone: This peel is highly effective for reducing hyperpigmentation, such as age spots or melasma.
Smoothing fine lines: By removing dead skin and encouraging cell turnover, Jessner’s solution can soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What Strengths of Chemical Peels are available?
There are many types of chemical peels, differing in terms of strength and the amount of time they are left in contact with the skin. The typical chemical peel range is light, medium and deep.
Light Chemical Peels
Lighter peels require minimal downtime after, yielding results that “refine” the surface of the skin by smoothing out wrinkles, clearing acne, evening out tone and providing a glow.
Medium Chemical Peels
Medium-depth peels work their way down to the dermis (the underlying layer of skin), addressing more severe wrinkles and tone as well as acne scars.
Deep Chemical Peels
Deep chemical peels penetrate the lowest dermis layer, improving the appearance of more dramatic scars and lesions.
What Is the Chemical Peel Treatment Process Like?
During a chemical peel treatment, a specialized solution is applied to your skin. This solution will work to exfoliate and remove the outer layer of skin, revealing the fresh, healthier skin underneath.
The process typically involves these steps:
- Cleansing: Your skin will be thoroughly cleaned to remove any oils or impurities.
- Application: The peel solution is applied to your skin and left on for a specified period.
- Neutralization: In most cases, the peel will be neutralized to stop the process once the solution has worked effectively.
The sensation during treatment can range from mild tingling to a more intense stinging feeling, depending on the strength of the peel. This will subside after the treatment is finished. Your skin may feel tight, and peeling will begin within a few days as the old skin sheds off, revealing smoother, more even skin.
What to Expect After a Chemical Peel: Recovery and Downtime
After a chemical peel, you should expect some degree of redness, dryness and crusting — all of which are temporary and depend on the strength of your peel.
The deeper the peel, the more dramatic the results — and the more significant the recovery time needed for healing following the session. Healing from a light peel usually takes three to four days, while healing from a medium peel can take about a week, though residual redness may take longer to fully resolve. It can often take two weeks for new skin to grow in and cover the treated areas after a deep peel.
It is important to avoid sun exposure after any peel, as the skin will be especially sensitive and more prone to hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
When Will I See My Chemical Peel Results?
You can expect to see initial results within one to two weeks after the procedure. As your skin heals and the peeling subsides, you’ll notice improvements in texture, tone and clarity. Deeper peels may take longer to reveal full results, but the final outcome is usually worth the wait.
Your skin will continue to improve over the next several weeks, especially as new collagen forms beneath the surface, contributing to a smoother appearance.
How Long Will My Chemical Peel Results Last?
The longevity of your results will depend on the type of peel you receive and your skincare routine post-treatment. Superficial peels may provide noticeable results for several weeks, while deeper peels can offer longer-lasting benefits, sometimes up to several years. Using sunscreen and following a personalized skincare regimen will help extend the life of your results and protect your skin from future damage.
How Often Should I Get a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are recommended every four to six weeks to achieve and maintain maximal results, often with minimal downtime when lighter “frost” peels are performed — so only a little red or dry for a few days. The rejuvenated skin will have a radiant glow, with improved texture and tone as well.
Can I Combine Chemical Peels With Other Treatments?
Chemical peels can be used in combination with microdermabrasion, laser and light treatments to enhance their results.
What Other Resurfacing and Rejuvenation Options Are Available?
For some conditions, laser treatments can be an alternative to chemical peels. With lasers, the targets like brown spots are more specific, so treatment often involves less downtime than a peel (ex: Q-switched, laser BBL or IPL). Ablative fractional laser treatments remove skin from the surface, while non-ablative options rejuvenate tissues from the inside.
Other rejuvenating treatments include MaxG intense pulsed light (IPL), Broad Band Light (Forever Young BBL), pulsed dye laser (PDL), Genius RF, Ultherapy, thulium laser, dermal-infusion microdermabrasion and microneedling. Talk to the AboutSkin Dermatology team to determine which treatment is best for your specific needs.
Ready to Reveal Smoother, Clearer Skin?
Chemical peels offer a personalized approach to skin rejuvenation. If you’re ready to take the next step, our Board-Certified Dermatologists about AboutSkin Dermatology and Aesthetics are prepared to discuss your options and develop a plan tailored to your skin’s needs.
Call 303-756-7546 or complete our online contact form to schedule your chemical peel consultation today.
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