Chemical solutions are carefully applied to your skin to improve the texture by removing damaged outer layers. The chemicals used are phenol, trichloroacetic acid, and alphahydroxy acids. The formula used by your doctor will be adjusted to meet your particular needs.

Light chemical peel:

Subtle improvements at first, but that healthy glow will increase with more treatments. If you have uneven pigment, dryness, acne, or fine wrinkling, a light chemical peel might be the right choice. This kind of peel removes just the outer layer of skin (epidermis) in a light exfoliation and results in a healthier glow. Your health care provider will use a combination of alphahydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and maleic acid. All of these chemicals are the mildest choices. You can repeat these treatments to achieve your desired results.

Procedural Steps:

• Your face will be cleansed.
• The chemical solution is brushed onto your skin and left on for a few minutes. You may feel some mild stinging.
• The chemical peel is then washed off and neutralized.

Medium chemical peel:

Your skin will be noticeably smoother and fresher-looking. Acne scars, deeper wrinkles and uneven skin color can all be treated with a medium chemical peel. The chemicals used for this type of peel will remove skin cells from both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). Your health care provider will use trichloroacetic acid, sometimes used in combination with glycolic acid.

Procedural Steps:

• Your face will be cleansed.
• The chemical solution is brushed onto your skin and left for just a few minutes. You may feel some burning or stinging.
• The treated area may turn a whitish grey color.
• The chemicals are neutralized with a cool saline compress.
• Your skin may turn red or brown in the days just after the peel. It may take up to six weeks for your skin to look normal.

You may repeat a medium chemical peel every few months to maintain your new glowing skin.

Deep chemical peel:

Results are dramatic, but recovery takes the longest. If you have deeper facial wrinkles, skin that's damaged by the sun, scars, areas that appear blotchy, or even pre-cancerous growths, deep facial chemical peels might be the right choice for you. Your physician will use the strongest chemical called phenol to penetrate down to the lower dermal layer of your skin. For this type of peel, you may need a local anesthetic and a sedative to manage any discomfort.

A deep chemical peel usually involves some sort of pretreatment for up to eight weeks. This will prepare your skin for the peel and speed the healing process. Pretreatment may include use of a retinoic acid cream or gel - a prescription medication that's derived from vitamin A. This works to thin out the skin's surface layer, allowing the chemical solution to penetrate more evenly and deeply. 

Procedural Steps:

• You will be given a sedative to relax along with a local anesthetic to numb your face.
• Your face will be cleansed.
• Phenol is brushed onto the area after an appropriate time interval.
• The chemical is neutralized with water.
• A thick coat of ointment is smoothed over your skin, to prevent dryness and pain. The ointment must stay in place. Sometimes your surgeon will cover your skin with strips of tape or medicated gauze rather than ointment.

Deep chemical facial peels will result in peeling, crusting, skin redness, and discomfort for several days. Your doctor will provide painkillers to keep you comfortable. Although the swelling is likely to disappear in about two weeks, your skin may remain red for up to three months. One treatment with a deep chemical peel will produce long-lasting and dramatic results that can last up to 10 years.