Chemical peels

A chemical peel treats skin conditions by removing the top layers of your skin with a chemical solution to stimulate new growth. The procedure smooths your skin and treats wrinkles, scarring, rosacea, and uneven skin tone. It’s common to get a face peel, though these procedures can also be done on your neck, chest, and hands. Chemical peels can also address other skin issues, like removing precancerous growths.

Penn Medicine’s doctors carefully examine your skin and plan the best approach for you. Our doctors consider your skin type and goals to determine whether you would benefit most from a light, medium, or deep chemical peel. Treatments offer a range of benefits like brightening your complexion, reducing lines and wrinkles, and providing medical remedies for certain skin conditions.

A chemical peel can remove the outer layer of your skin or go deeper, depending on the type of treatment your doctor recommends.

• Light chemical peel: Also known as a superficial peel, this procedure removes the outer layer of your skin, known as the epidermis. This type of peel is for mild skin discoloration, fine lines, and rough spots. A light chemical peel is often repeated until you’ve achieved your desired look.
• Medium chemical peel: This peel removes the outer layer and the upper part of the middle layer of your skin, known as the dermis. It can help with more moderate skin issues, like age spots and wrinkles. Your doctor may recommend repeating a medium chemical peel to get the full benefits from the treatment.
• Deep chemical peel: This procedure removes the epidermis and skin cells deeper into the dermis layer to treat more serious scars and remove precancerous growths. This type of peel is only done once, with results that can last up to 10 years.

Most often, chemical peels are used to make your skin look more even and refreshed and to reduce the signs of facial aging and aging skin. It may also be used to treat certain medical conditions that benefit from skin regrowth.

Your doctor may recommend a chemical peel for:

• Acne, acne scarring, or other mild scarring
• Uneven skin tone or age spots
• Freckles or dark spots (melasma)
• Wrinkles and fine lines around your eyes or mouth
• Dry patches
• Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Rosacea
• Precancerous growths (actinic keratosis)

A chemical peel may not be the right choice if you’ve used an oral acne medication in the last six months, you tend to get large, raised scars (keloids), or you’re pregnant. If you have deep wrinkles and scars, your doctor may recommend a different treatment.

You’ll likely need to avoid sun exposure for a couple of weeks before your chemical peel. You may also need to stop taking certain medications or avoid using specific creams, gels, or toners for about 10 days leading up to your procedure. Your doctor might also prescribe medication or a prescription cream for you to use before and after your treatment. Follow your health care team’s recommendations carefully for the best results.

During your chemical peel:

• You’ll lie on a table.
• If you’re having a medium or deep chemical peel, you may be given a local anesthetic to numb your skin and a sedative to help you feel relaxed. For a deep chemical peel, sometimes general anesthesia and intravenous (IV) fluids are given, and your heart rate is monitored.
• Your health care provider cleanses the skin being treated.
• You might wear goggles or keep your eyes closed to avoid their exposure to the chemical solution, and your hair may be covered with a cap.
• An acid-containing solution is brushed onto your skin. The type of acid depends on the depth of the chemical peel.
• If you’re having a medium or deep chemical peel, your skin may temporarily turn white or grey.
• After a few minutes, your provider neutralizes and washes off the chemical solution.
• If you had a medium chemical peel, you’ll be given a cool compress to soothe your skin, and your provider may apply an ointment to your treated skin. Deep chemical peels are covered with surgical gauze.

Light chemical peels may be repeated every one to four weeks, and medium chemical peels may be done every six to 12 months. Sometimes chemical peels are combined with a technique called dermaplaning, which involves using an instrument to shave the top layers of your skin before applying the chemical solution.

Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after a chemical peel. Follow your health care team’s advice about how long to avoid sun exposure and when you can start wearing sunscreen. After your skin heals, chemical peels can lead to darkening or lightening of the skin, which are more common if you have a darker skin tone.

Rarely, chemical peels can cause scarring. If this happens, your doctor can prescribe medication to minimize the scars. Chemical peels can also cause cold sores in people who are prone to them, but medicine can reduce your risk. Infection is another rare complication. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about any potential risks of this procedure.

At Penn Medicine, our doctors talk with you about your unique skin concerns and consider your goals, skin tone, medical history, and other factors to develop an effective treatment plan. Our specialists are skilled at providing chemical peels for smoothing acne scars, reducing fine lines, removing precancerous growths, and treating other skin conditions. We also support you through your post-treatment care as your skin heals.

As a nationally recognized leader in skin care, our plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and other specialists have deep knowledge and experience performing chemical peels. We are a trusted partner, helping you achieve your goals and providing proven therapies to safely treat and refresh your skin to improve your self-image and keep you healthy.