Chemical Peel Fundamentals - Medpeel
Blackheads

Chemical peels can be very effective in removing and minimizing excess, stubborn blackheads by penetrating clogged follicles.

Fine Lines

Chemical peels can be very effective in removing and minimizing excess, stubborn blackheads by penetrating clogged follicles.

BEFORE

AFTER

HOW THE PEELING PROCESS WORKS

CHEMICAL PEEL STRENGTHS

LIGHT / SUPERFICIAL

Superficial or Light peels are the mildest type of chemical peel and can be used on all skin types. These mild peels remove only a small part of the epidermis or outer layer of skin and are most often used to improve the appearance of fine lines, mild scarring and minimal hyperpigmentation.

Superficial peels should be repeated every 2-3 weeks. A series of 6-8 consecutive treatments are recommended for best results. After 6-8 consecutive treatments, peels may be repeated monthly to maintain results.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are the gentlest acids used in skin peels.

MEDIUM STRENGTH

Medium-depth skin peels penetrate further than superficial peels to remove the epidermis and some of the dermis, or underlying middle layer of skin. Medium peels are used to clear pores, reduce wrinkles, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, sun damage and precancerous growths.

Medium strength peels cause excessive pinkness for two to three and may not completely fade away until the skin has fully healed. New skin should appear within the first two weeks after treatment.

Medium-depth peels typically use TCA, as a main ingredient. The Jessner solution, a popular skin peel, contains a combination of resorcinol, salicylic acid and glycolic acid and may be layered to create a deep peel.

DEEP STRENGTH

Deep skin peels cause a second-degree burn to the skin penetrating all the way to the subcutaneous, or third and deepest, layer of skin. They are used to treat melasma, deep wrinkles, scarring, sun damage and precancerous growths of the skin.

The skin may remain extremely red for weeks and up to 2 months. Full recovery can take several months. Petroleum jelly or another ointment may be applied after a deep peel to protect the skin. Deep peels are not done on darker skin types because they tend to bleach the skin (hypopigmentation).

TCA is the ingredient of choice for most deep peels, but the Jessner solution can be applied in layers to effect a deep peel.

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