The term “chemical peel” can sound like a serious or scary procedure. The truth is that these peels are actually a safe and effective way to get beautifully resurfaced skin without the expense and downtime of lasers or cosmetic surgeries.
There are several types of peels to ensure that there is a procedure suitable for almost every skin type.
What is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels utilize certain types of skin-safe acids to achieve various skincare goals, such as:
- Lightening hyperpigmentation
- Resurfacing dull or damaged skin
- Treating acne breakouts
- Reversing signs of photoaging
Peels can be done in many different strengths, so even someone with sensitive skin can enjoy the benefits of this procedure.
What are the Different Types of Chemical Peels?
We’ll cover nine types of epidermal peels that range from superficial to medium-depth.
Neo-Peel
Neo-Peel is a superficial skin peel that utilizes glycolic acid and a proprietary mixture of skin brightening ingredients to deliver radiant, younger-looking skin.
It is most often used to minimize skin aging signs like:
- Uneven skin tone
- Rough texture
- Unwanted pigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
Jessner Peel
This is a popular, medium-depth peel that not only improves the health of your skin but also helps to heal mild and moderate skin damage.
A Jessner peel combines lactic acid, salicylic acid and a compound called resorcinol to deliver amazing results. These three ingredients work together to exfoliate away the dull, outer layers of skin and penetrate into the deeper layers of your dermis in order to repair damage and make skin more youthful and resilient.
Jessner peels can help with the following issues:
- Reducing acne scarring
- Minimizing appearance of pores
- Lightening discoloration
- Clearing acne breakouts
- Smoothing rough texture and wrinkles
Pyruvic Acid Peel
Pyruvic acid is found naturally in vinegar, grapes, apples and honey. It is a medium-strength peeling agent that is considered less irritating than some of its counterparts.
A PA peel is great for treating problems such as:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Loss of elasticity
- Inflammatory acne
- Overly oily skin
- Fine lines and wrinkles
Salicylic Acid Peel
Salicylic acid can be found in lots of acne treatment products, but it’s great for other skin issues as well. This treatment is good for oily or inflamed skin because salicylic acid is able to penetrate deeply into your pores to loosen oil and debris.
It is also effective for:
- Immediately reducing acne inflammation
- Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving overall skin texture
- Controlling oil production
- Unclogging pores
Trichloroacetic Acid Peel
You will usually hear a trichloroacetic acid peel shortened to just “TCA” because its name is quite a mouthful. TCA peels are medium-strength and non-toxic. When TCA is applied, you will not see immediate peeling. Typically it takes around one week for the old layers of skin to peel away and reveal the fresh, glowing skin underneath.
TCA peels are best for treating:
- Sun damage
- Melasma
- Rough, leathery skin texture
- Age spots
It is usually best to receive these peels in a series to achieve the best results.
Mandelic Acid Peel
Mandelic acid is one of the gentlest peels available, but it still packs a lot of power. Because it is less prone to irritating skin, mandelic acid is often chosen for those with more sensitive skin types.
Mandelic acid peels can treat:
- Acne lesions
- Hyperpigmentation
- Melasma
- Dull, aged skin
- Rough, “orange peel” skin texture
- Clogged pores
Glycolic Acid Peel
Peels that only contain glycolic acid typically have higher concentrations of it than those that combine it with other ingredients, such as the Neo-Peel. Glycolic acid works superficially by dissolving the “glue” that holds old, rough and damaged skin cells together on your face. This allows the old, damaged skin to be sloughed away to reveal the bright and undamaged layers beneath.
Glycolic acid peels are great for treating:
- Sun damage
- Dull, uneven skin tone
- Poor skin texture
- Scarring
- Acne breakouts
Hand Peel
Hands will often betray our age, so it’s just as important to take care of the skin on your hands as it is to take care of your face and neck. Hand rejuvenating peels can reveal soft, smooth and younger-looking hands with the same gentle chemical peel methods used on your face.
Eye and Lip Peel
Often, the areas around our eyes and lips are not given as much care as other parts of our faces because the skin is more delicate and prone to irritation. If you’re noticing fine lines, discoloration or a loss of youthful fullness, however, our gentle eye and lip peel may be right for you.
It can:
- Increase skin firmness around eyes and lips
- Smooth crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles
- Diminish dark spots and dark circles
If you’re interested in a skin-rejuvenating peel from a trusted spa in Lake Forest, call us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey to a younger, fresher you.