Chemical Peels

All chemical peel appointments begin with a thorough consultation. A qualified skincare specialist will assess your skin type and concerns, tailoring the peel's strength and duration to ensure optimal results without causing any harm. Your skin will first be prepped for the treatment, which includes a thorough cleansing of the skin. Your provider will then apply the peel quickly and evenly, watching your skin carefully and then removing the peel at the appropriate time. The amount of time a chemical peel remains on the skin depends on individual sensitivity and tolerance. Each patient is different, and those with sensitive skin may only tolerate a couple minutes of a chemical peel. Most patients feel a mild stinging which is temporary and subsides after a minute or so. The skin is then cleansed with water, which neutralizes the peel. Your provider will advise you to cleanse the face in 2-3 hours after your treatment, which removes the peel from the skin.

The downtime from a chemical peel depends on the type of peel and how long it was left on the skin. Any associated peeling lasts around 3-7 days, which appears as dry flakes on the skin surface. We will provide a gentle cleanser and moisturizer to help control any visible peeling. Patients may return to work immediately following treatment and resume normal daily activities. We recommend avoiding strenuous physical activity and saunas for 24-48 hours after the procedure.

Patients must avoid waxing, lasers and other medical treatments at least one week before a chemical peel. We also advise you to discontinue the use of any retinol products and exfoliants containing AHA, BHA or benzoyl peroxide. Please consult with your provider if you have had any recent medical cosmetic facial treatments, because we may advise you to wait until skin sensitivity has completely resolved before having a chemical peel treatment.

The skin will start to peel around 1-3 days after your treatment and continues for around 7-10 days, depending on the strength and type of chemical peel you receive. During this time the skin may appear red, dry and flaky as the top layer of the skin peels off. The peeling will be light and fluffy, and should be allowed to slough off naturally. You must not peel or pick off the flaking skin, as this may lead to scarring. The amount of peeling is completely dependent on the type of chemical peel treatment you received. Your skincare specialist will provide you with an essential at-home skincare routine to follow which helps to maintain hydration, decrease redness and protect the skin from the sun. After about a week when the peeling has stopped, you will notice the skin will look softer, smoother and have a more glowing appearance. It is highly important to avoid direct sun exposure while the skin is peeling because this is when it is at its most sensitive state and at risk for deeper damage.

When performed correctly by a licensed professional, chemical peels are a safe treatment to have done.

Most patients will see the results almost immediately. As long as you maintain a regular skincare routine, you can see results lasting several weeks to months. To ensure your results last we recommend using a moisturizer that protects and hydrates the skin barrier, avoid direct sun exposure and/or tanning beds, and apply sunscreen every day.

We recommend waiting to have a regular facial approximately 4 weeks after a chemical peel to ensure the skin has fully healed. Oftentimes, patients will have a chemical peel treatment as part of their regular facial and this will be performed as the last step in the facial. Please consult with your aesthetician or provider about which option is most suitable for you.

We have many brides and mothers of the brides or grooms that have a chemical peel prior to the wedding. We recommend having this done at least 4 weeks prior to the big day to ensure an adequate amount of time for the skin to heal and final results to show.

Patients who have acne, oily skin, clogged pores, black heads, dullness and fine lines are great candidates for a chemical peel. We will perform a thorough physical exam and medical history to ensure you are an appropriate candidate.

Possible side effects include redness, hyperpigmentation, lightening of the skin and increased dryness or sensitivity.

Absolutely! Chemical peels are great for addressing various skin concerns. They exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells which results in improved texture and tone. They also stimulate collagen production, leading to firmer more youthful-looking skin over time. Chemical peels are fully customizable and offer minimal downtime which makes them easy to integrate into any busy schedule or routine.

Chemical peels can improve the appearance of certain types of scars, particularly superficial ones such as acne scars or mild discoloration. By exfoliating the outer layers of the skin, chemical peels can promote collagen production and encourage new, smoother skin to grow. For more significant scarring concerns, we recommend a combination of treatments such as the Helix laser or Virtue RF microneedling to more effectively target the deeper skin layers.