Chemical Peels

One of the most non-invasive ways to rejuvenate your skin is to have a chemical peel. There are three types of chemical peels that CEENTA offers for your face: a light chemical peel, a medium chemical peel, and a heavy chemical peel.

Schedule a Chemical Peel Consultation

What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment procedure performed by covering the intended area with a chemical solution to remove the outermost layers of the skin. These procedures can be performed on the face or anywhere on the body.

Benefits of a chemical peel

Chemical peels provide noticeable benefits to patients, including improved skin’s color and tone, reduced discoloration from sun damage, and healthy skin cell growth. This procedure is also useful for those who have acne, fine lines, and wrinkles. As an outpatient procedure, patients can use make-up and other cosmetic products the next day. 

What is the chemical peel process?

There are three types of chemical peels that CEENTA offers:

Light chemical peel

A light chemical peel (superficial peel) procedure uses glycolic acid to produce subtle results that last a short time. This procedure is ideal for those who are new to chemical peels who want to ease their way into the process or to treat minor cosmetic issues such as dry skin and acne. It is recommended that you have this procedure done at least once a month for maximum benefit. The light chemical peel is brushed onto your face, left for about 10 minutes and washed away. There may be some slight stinging after the procedure.

Medium chemical peel

A medium chemical peel works deeper beyond the epidermis to reach the dermis for a more thorough exfoliation. This creates a noticeably smoother and cleaner skin profile than the superficial peel. This procedure only needs to be done once every six to 12 months. To perform the medium chemical peel, a solution containing trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is brushed onto your face and left for only a few minutes. It is then washed away and a cool saline compress is applied to the area. The skin may turn a whitish grey before completely healing, which can take up to six weeks to fully heal.

Heavy chemical peel

In this procedure, the results are much more dramatic but the recovery will take much longer. A heavy (deep) chemical peel penetrates to the lowest dermal layer of skin for extensive and dramatic results. Due to the strength of the solution, this procedure only needs to be done once a year. During a heavy chemical peel, phenol is brushed onto the face and left on for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to two hours. Prior to the procedure, your face will be given a local anesthetic to control the sensation. After the procedure, petroleum jelly can be placed on your face for at least the two days to help with the healing process. The results are much more dramatic than the light and medium peels.

What are the risks involved with chemical peels?

Like most procedures, a chemical peel does come with its own set of side effects that range in severity. These side effects include:

• Redness of the skin
• Loss of skin pigmentation
• Scarring
• Hyperpigmentation

Your facial plastic specialist will consult with you the possible side effects based on your age and skin complexion. 

Who would be a good candidate for a chemical peel?

A chemical peel can be performed on a variety of patients who differ in age, skin tone, and complexion. Teenagers through seniors can be treated with a chemical peel to treat acne, blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles.  

What can a chemical peel not treat?

The chemical peel procedure offers a plethora of results, but there are limits. This treatment does not:

• Treat deep facial lines
• Tighten skin
• Stimulate collagen
• Remove/Repair broken capillaries
• Treat scars
• Change pore size

What conditions may prevent you from receiving a chemical peel?

Due to the nature of the treatment, there are some limiting factors for patients interested in chemical peels. If you have one of the following conditions, a chemical peel may not be suitable at this time:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Abnormal pigmentation
• Facial warts
• Fair skin
• You used certain acne treatments within the last year

How do I receive a chemical peel at CEENTA?

CEENTA has physicians in our SouthPark, Concord, Fort Mill, Huntersville, and Uptown offices offering chemical peels consultations who are skilled in the latest treatment techniques. Our facial plastics specialists will come up with a care plan personalized for your needs.

Schedule a Chemical Peel Consultation