How to Choose the Right Chemical Peel for Your Skin

By Dr. Deane on March 14, 2023 under Chemical Peel

How to Choose the Right Chemical Peel for Your Skin

A chemical peel is an exfoliating skin treatment used to treat signs of aging and a variety of skin conditions. They are frequently applied to the hands, chest, neck, and face to restore healthy, brighter skin. There are many options for chemical peels and our office and it all depends on your skin concerns and current skin condition.

What Are Chemical Peels?

In general, chemical peels are used on the face to exfoliate the skin and heal scars, discolored skin, and wrinkles. You can perform them alone or in conjunction with other cosmetic operations. Furthermore, they are possible at various depths, ranging from surface treatments to deep resurfacing. The three general categories of chemical peels are:

Surface Scratching: The Superficial Chemical Peel

We can use a gentle chemical peel that removes your skin’s epidermis (top layer of the skin) if you want to address surface problems like dry skin, fine lines, age spots, or acne. Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids are applied to your skin during your session, and over the following few days, the top layer of skin begins to peel off to reveal new skin development beneath. Some patients might not have any peeling after a light chemical peel.

Diving Deeper: Medium-Depth Chemical Peel

A medium chemical peel can be the answer if you want to reach your skin’s middle layer (the dermis). More potent acids are used during this process to penetrate your epidermis and reach the top layer of your dermis. For more apparent wrinkles, uneven skin tone, rough skin texture, and acne scarring, a medium peel works incredibly well. You’ll have to wait longer to reveal your new skin because the peel is deeper. The layers we focused on often peel off for a week after your treatment and reveal smoother, healthier skin previously hidden beneath the surface.

Intense Resurfacing: Deep Chemical Peel

A deep chemical peel uses a potent blend of chemicals to remove the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. This type of chemical peel is best for people who want to improve severe scarring and rough skin texture. A deep chemical peel can also remove precancerous skin cells caused by sun exposure. Since a deep chemical peel strips away several layers of skin, it will take up to two weeks for the skin to finish peeling.

Which Chemical Peel is Right for You?

The type of chemical peel we will recommend for your treatment depends on your skin type, skin tone, and the conditions you hope to treat. These are some things you should consider when deciding on the right chemical peel:

Sensitive Skin

Patients with sensitive skin or those with skin conditions like rosacea or psoriasis are not candidates for deep chemical peels. This intensive rejuvenation could damage the skin and trigger a flareup of irritated, red skin. Mild chemical peels or a different treatment will be recommended for you, depending on the level of your skin sensitivity.

Current Products You Are Using

Certain ingredients in skin care products or medications could interact poorly with some of the chemical options in a facial peel. Retin-A, skin-lightening products, and some antibiotics are the main products that could prevent you from receiving a chemical peel. Please bring a list of current medications you are taking and the skin products you are using so that we can determine a safe treatment for you.

Previous Cosmetic Treatments

If you have had a chemical peel or another form of skin resurfacing within the last 6-12 months, you might not be a candidate for a medium or deep chemical peel. Chemical peels have tremendous benefits for the skin, but overtreating your skin can have unwanted side effects. Too many chemical peels or resurfacing treatments could leave your skin vulnerable and at risk of damage from additional procedures.

Schedule a Consultation

When considering cosmetic treatments, it’s important you find the right one for your specific skin type and desired goals. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Deane to discuss your options for chemical peels in New York and determine which one is right for you.