Over time the accumulated effects of sun exposure, pollutants, acne, and hormones can damage or discolor our skin. Such skin changes can be improved with a chemical peel, a non-invasive procedure designed to remove dull, dead skin, promote cell growth and produce smoother, clearer skin.

Chemical peels are also used to treat melasma (a skin condition characterized by irregularly shaped patches of brown skin commonly found on the face and neck) and are usually more effective at lightening brown patches than most laser treatments, which can stimulate even more dark pigment. Peels can be performed anywhere on the body and come in a variety of strengths.

What is a chemical peel?

All chemical peels involve applying a solution to the treated area that loosens or removes the outer layers of skin, producing smoother, more evenly pigmented, glowing skin. There are different types and strengths of peels available and our medical aesthetician can choose the chemical peel that best meets your needs. In general, the stronger the peel, the more dramatic the results with each treatment but a series of milder peels can also produce great results without any visible flaking or peeling.

Types of Chemical Peels
Light or “lunch hour” peels are the mildest of the chemical peels. These peels include glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid peels (AHA) or salicylic acid (BHA) peels. They exfoliate the outermost layers of the skin to smooth the skin's texture, balance out pigmentation and make pores appear smaller. Because these chemical peels cause little if any visible peeling or flaking they are often done in a series to achieve the desired results.

• Glycolic Acid Peels- good for all skin types except sensitive, available in strengths from 30%-70%, these peels lift off dead skin, patchy pigment and stimulate new cell growth without excessive redness or flaking
• Salicylic Acid or Beta Peels- penetrates oily or thick skin better than other peels and is best peel for hyperpigmented skin and acne
• Lactic Acid Peel- exfoliates gently while hydrating and brightening, good for dry or aging skin
• Mandelic Acid Peel- a gentle peel safe for even the most sensitive skin
• Rosacea Peel- a glycolic peel with ingredients to exfoliate and simultaneously reduce redness

Medium depth chemical peels are stronger peels that produce more dramatic results than the lighter peels but also usually cause some visible peeling and flaking.  Examples of medium strength chemical peels that Skinspirations provide include the  Vi Peel™, Jessner's Peel, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels. These peels are used to remove moderate sun damage, diminish fine lines, decrease the appearance of large pores, and lighten patchy pigment. Because medium depth peels will cause some peeling, most people who work Monday through Friday will find that having a peel on Wednesday will allow them to do most of their peeling on Saturday and Sunday. Medium depth peels can be repeated every 3 months as needed to maintain results.

Before and after the Vi Peel

•  Vi Peel™ - a new generation peel that combines TCA, Retin A, salicylic acid, phenol and Vitamin C, it improves the suppleness, texture and clarity of skin, diminishes fine lines and spotty pigment, stimulates collagen and elastin, and is safe for the face, neck, chest & hands
• Jessner's Peel- a peel made from salicylic acid, lactic acid and resorcinol, it's also good for blotchy pigment and oily skin
• Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peel- TCA peels (20%-30%)diminish fine lines, age spots, improve texture, and can even tighten the skin slightly.

What to expect with a chemical peel

After deep cleansing, the selected peel solution is applied to the skin. Usually just a slight burning sensation is present for a few minutes and with some peels a neutralizing solution will then be applied.  Immediately after a light peel the skin may look perfectly normal and makeup can be applied. With medium strength peels the skin may look pink and it may start to feel tight the next day. As the treated skin dries out and tightens it may look slightly darker, especially over any discolored areas. Moisturizers can be applied to relieve the tight sensation and peeling will usually occur on days 3-4. After the peeling is complete, the skin will look luminous, minor discolorations will have faded and the skin may feel tighter.

Chemical peels are frequently combined with other treatments to get the best results. For lighter skin that has brown patches or spots, our Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device can help remove the darker spots quickly. Loose skin can be tightened with the Titan™skin tightening device.

Professional skin products like Retin-A and home exfoliants will help prepare the skin for deeper chemical peel penetration and then maintain a higher skin turnover afterwards so that your skin remains glowing and new. We will be happy to develop a complete plan customized to your skin needs that produces the most lasting results.

Prices for chemical peels range from $65-$275 with discounted packages available.

Come into our Tampa office soon for a free consultation to learn more about how we can use chemical peels to help you achieve the look you want.