Which Chemical Peel Is Right for Me?

Chemical peels are among the most popular treatments for improving the way your skin looks and feels — and for improving your skin health, too. 

By lifting away the upper layers of dead, damaged skin, peels stimulate cell turnover while promoting the development of collagen, an important protein that helps skin look smoother and feel firmer.

Today, there are lots of peels from which to choose, making them extremely versatile and highly effective for wrinkles, scars, and other skin problems. Having options is great, but it can sometimes be confusing, and selecting the right option for your needs may seem challenging. 

Edward Stolar, MD,  Todd Perkins, MD, and Adrianna Gonzales, MD, FAAD, at Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center offer an array of chemical peel options to help you achieve the results you want. 

In this post, learn about the three main types of chemical peels — light, medium, and deep — and how to pick the one that’s best for you.

Light peels: A gentle refresh

Light peels are the mildest of the three options. These peels use gentle acids, like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Once we apply it to cleansed skin, a mild peel goes to work, gently loosening and lifting away the uppermost layer of your skin.

Mild peels can be a good choice for anyone with minimal signs of aging, very light scars, or mild sun damage, or for anyone seeking a gentle boost in radiance and skin clarity. In general, they’re ideal if you want to correct:

• Mild acne and blemishes
• Uneven skin tone
• Minor sun damage
• Fine lines

There’s no downtime after a light peel, either, and many people opt to make regular mild peels part of their skincare routine to keep their skin looking its best. 

Medium peels: For more visible concerns

Medium-depth peels use stronger chemical solutions than light peels, allowing them to penetrate a little more deeply to remove both the uppermost layer of skin and the upper part of the middle layer, too. 

These peels typically use agents like TCA (trichloroacetic acid), Jessner's solution, or glycolic acid to exfoliate skin and address more noticeable concerns. 

In general, a medium peel can be a good option of you want to correct issues like:

• Moderate wrinkles and fine lines
• Dark spots and uneven pigmentation
• Acne scars
• Sun damage

Because they’re more intense than a mild peel, medium peels typically involve some recovery time. You can expect some mild redness and flaking afterward, and sometimes a little stinging, similar to the symptoms of a sunburn. Once flaking subsides, your peel reveals smoother, healthier-looking skin.

Deep peels: Dramatic results

Deep chemical peels are the most intensive type of peel, targeting the deeper layers of your skin. Most deep peels use a chemical called phenol, along with local anesthetics to numb your skin and a sedative to help you relax. 

Deep peels typically address:

• Deep wrinkles and severe sun damage
• Pronounced scarring
• Precancerous changes, like actinic keratoses

Not surprisingly, a deep chemical peel is associated with a longer recovery period and significant redness, swelling, crusting, and peeling. You can also expect some discomfort that needs to be managed with medication. 

In most cases you can expect to resume regular activities in about two weeks, but you need to take extra steps to protect your skin from the sun and follow your post-treatment instructions closely to support optimal recovery. The results of a deep peel are dramatic and can last for years.

Selecting the right peel

While chemical peels can be a good choice for reducing the signs of aging and damage on your face, they're also ideal for problems affecting your neck, chest, back, arms, and even your hands. 

Selecting the right peel begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals, along with an evaluation of your skin type and your medical history, including use of medications or supplements that might make your skin extra sensitive. 

To help you make an informed choice, we also discuss the peel process and what you can expect during recovery. 

The right peel can remove age spots, wrinkles, and other signs of sun damage for more comprehensive results that will do wonders for your confidence. Some peels can even help reduce skin changes that increase your risk of skin cancer.

If you’re ready to learn more about chemical peels and how they can help your skin look and feel its best, request an appointment online or over the phone with our team at Metroderm DC in Washington, DC, today.