Types of Chemical Peel Treatments | Benefits, Risks & Cost

Overview | Types of chemical peel | Treatment and post-procedure care | Expected results | Finding a dermatologist

What is chemical peels?

A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure that is often used to improve the appearance of the skin. A chemical peel can be applied on the neck, hands, or face.  The chemical solution of the peels exfoliates and eventually peels of the skin, leading to regenerated new skin that is noticeably smoother. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery notes the effect on reducing wrinkles as well. 

Also known as a skin peel, this beauty technique has gained immense popularity over the past few years. It offers a unique way to rejuvenate, refresh, and completely revitalize your skin for a smoother and fairer look.

Are you eager to try out this wonderful treatment and get enviable skin? Let me take you through some frequently asked questions on chemical peel treatment to get you going. These questions have often been put across by my patients and I have compiled them here in the hope that the answers will really help you. 

What are the basic types of chemical peels?

Chemical peels are broadly classified into three types—superficial peel, medium peel, and deep peel. Superficial peels penetrate the epidermis only, medium-depth peels affect the entire epidermis and papillary dermis, and deep peels allow for controlled tissue injury to the level of the mid-reticular dermis. 

Let’s take a look at each of these types used in a chemical peel treatment.

1. Glycolic  – Of all the skin peels, glycolic peel has the smallest molecular size and penetrates quite deep. This type of chemical peel comes in different strengths the choice of which really depends on the results that you desire. It reaches the outer and middle layers of the skin to eradicate the damaged skin cells and improve wrinkles, fine lines, freckles, age spots, and moderate skin discoloration.
2. Salicylic – The salicylic acid peel is a type of superficial chemical peel for acne. Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in many anti-acne facial products. When used as a peel, this acid is the ideal solution for you if you have acne and pimples.
3. Lactic – The lactic peel is derived from milk. It is suitable for sensitive or dry skin that may react to active ingredients such as retinol. This chemical peel treatment is goes easy on the skin and is my preference for patients who may have adverse reactions to skin products. 
4. Mandelic – The mandelic acid peel is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)-based facial peel. It is derived from bitter almonds and it falls under the superficial peel category as it is one of the milder chemical peels. This peel is the ideal solution if you have a sensitive skin. 
5. Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) – The TCA is a medium depth peel. This chemical peel treatment can aid in removing abnormal skin cells. A treatment with TCA is suitable to skin that has been affected by acne and melasma, among other conditions.
6. Pyruvic – The pyruvic acid peel is the most suitable chemical peel treatment when it comes to anti-aging and acne. According to research by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (US), this peel works great if you have skin problems like warts, actinic keratosis, greasy skin, moderate acne scars, and inflammatory acne.
7. Azelaic – The azelaic acid peel is a form of medium chemical peel treatment. This treatment helps to reduce pigment spots and impurities, and thereby rejuvenate your skin.
8. Yellow (retinol) – Yellow peel is an advanced chemical peel treatment for a variety of skin problems. This type of chemical peel is effective at reversing hyperpigmentation caused by scars, photoageing, or exposure to the sun.  It can also treat melasma, acne, and stretch marks. 
9. Black – Black peel is a chemical peel that mixes the active ingredients of potassium iode, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, black vinegar, and black acetic acid. This peel can do wonders for your skin if you have acne and oily skin.
10. Kojic – The kojic acid chemical peel is an effective skin brightening and lightening agent. As this chemical peel treatment has mild cleansing properties, I recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin. 
11. Ferrulic acid peel – A ferrulic acid peel is a superficial skin peel that is known to be a fabulous antioxidant. The ferrulic peel can be successfully used to treat rosacea, fine lines, wrinkles, photoaging, and many more similar skin conditions. The ferrulic peel can brighten up the dullness of your skin and leave it glowing.
12. Argilac acid peel – This wonderful skin peel is formulated from a combination of arginine and lactic acid. It is particularly suited to sensitive skin and can treat cases of mild to moderate acne.

What are the chemical peel procedure steps?

Let me take you through a detailed explanation of the procedure steps used in a chemical peel treatment.

Procedure during a superficial chemical peel

• Skin is cleansed with a special cleanser to remove makeup and maintain pH levels of the skin
• Petroleum jelly is applied to the corners of the mouth, eyes, and nose to stop the extra application of the peel to these folds

• A cotton ball, brush, gauze, or sponge is used for the application of a chemical solution that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid
• The treated skin starts whitening and you may have sharp, burning sensation when the chemical solution is on the skin
• A neutralizing solution or wash is applied to remove the solution from the treated skin

Procedure during a medium chemical peel

• Skin is cleansed with a special cleanser to remove makeup and maintain pH levels of the skin
• Petroleum jelly is applied to the corners of the mouth, eyes, and nose to stop the extra application of the peel to these folds
• A chemical solution containing TCA, occasionally in combination with glyconic acid is applied using a gauze or a cotton-tipped applicator
• The treated skin begins whitening and after a few minutes cool compresses are applied to soothe the treated skin
• A hand-held fan might also be given to you to cool the skin
• A feeling of burning and stinging may occur for approximately 20 minutes

What does the post-procedure care entail?

After doing any type of chemical peel treatment, you need to apply protective ointments to your skin. Post-procedure steps for all types of chemical peels need you to follow certain instructions carefully. I advise my patients to:

After a superficial chemical peel

• Apply the dermatologist-recommended moisturizer or repair cream to the treated areas to take care of the dryness and hydrate the skin
• Sunscreen is an absolute must
• Patient must avoid sun exposure
• Also, for a superficial skin peel there is no peeling of skin following treatment; this means that the glow is visible from the very next day

After a medium chemical peel

• Apply the dermatologist-recommended moisturizer or repair cream to the treated areas to take care of the dryness and hydrate the skin
• Sunscreen is an absolute must
• Patient must avoid sun exposure
• Make use of the breeze from a fan or ice packs for comfort
• Go for a check-up soon after the treatment to monitor your healing
• Note a decrease in swelling will result in the treated portions forming a crust, which might darken ; avoid peeling this crust or even touching it and let it heal naturally
• Remember that treated portions taken one to two weeks to heal but the redness might continue for months

What results can you expect?

After a light skin peel, you can see an improvement in the skin tone and texture with a decrease in fine wrinkles. At first, the results will be subtle. I advise you to avoid sun exposure after a light peel until the new skin completely covers the area treated.

After a medium peel, your skin will be noticeably smoother. You should also avoid sun exposure for several months.

After a deep peel, you can see a dramatic improvement in the feel and look of your  skin. You will need to permanently protect your skin from the sun to prevent it from changing color.

Johns Hopkins Medicine notes the importance of avoiding any kind of extreme temperatures after a chemical peel treatment. Following the dermatologist’s aftercare instructions will allow you to truly enjoy chemical peel benefits long after your treatment is through. 

When and how often will you require a chemical peel procedure?

You might need a light chemical peel after every two to five weeks. The frequency will depend on the desired results. A medium chemical peel can be repeated after a period of three to nine months if you want to maintain results. However, you must note that a deep chemical peel can be done only once. 

What are the potential side effects of chemical peels?

The possible side effects of this treatment include:

• Scarring: This occurs rarely, typically on the lower part of the face.
• Redness: After a medium or deep skin peel, redness may last for a few months.
• Altered skin color: Hypopigmentation (skin turning lighter) is common after a deep peel, while hyperpigmentation (skin turning darker) is common after superficial peels.

However, with the advent of newer and more advanced, gel-based peels the post treatment side effects have become less. What’s more is that even downtime has reduced. So you can still enjoy a chemical peel safely with few precautions. I would like to mention that keeping the side-effects in mind, your dermatologist will determine if a chemical peel treatment is the right course of skin care for you or not. 

Who is a suitable candidate for chemical peels?

Almost anyone is a suitable candidate for a chemical peel treatment. However, I would caution you against this treatment in the following cases:

• If you have a History of Keliod or scarring inform the dermatologist
• If you have a darker skin tone, medium peels are not suited to you; opt only for superficial peels
• A history of frequent cold sore outbreaks

How much does chemical peel treatment cost?

The cost of a chemical peel treatment varies depending on the type of skin peel. The cost of a superficial chemical peel will range anywhere between INR 1,000 and INR 5,000. The price range for a medium depth chemical peel will be anywhere between INR 3,000 and INR 7,000. Lastly, the expenditure for a deep chemical peel will range anywhere between INR 5,000 and INR 9,000. This price range will differ greatly between dermatologists. 

How can you find a clinic or dermatologist for the procedure?

A simple Google search should help find a reliable clinic or dermatologist in your area. You can also read online reviews and see what other patients are saying. Alternatively, you can consult your family members or friends for a recommendation. Do not rush into choosing a dermatologist; take your time and decide well. Go through with the treatment only if the consultation makes you feel comfortable. 

Closing thoughts

Skin-related problems are quite common in today’s day and age. Thus, if you have any skin concerns, do not worry, as I am here to guide you with effective solutions to help you bring about the true beauty of your skin. Chemical peels really help tackle a wide range of skin problems. I always focus on an individualized system of diagnosis and treatment to ensure that each patient gets the most out of their skin care session. Do reach out today and enjoy a healthy, supple glow on your skin. 

References

1. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery – https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/chemical-peels
2. National Center for Biotechnology Information – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14692923
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/specialty_areas/facial-plastic-reconstructive/cosmetic/chemical-peels.html