Chemical peels involve the application of chemical agents to the skin surface to improve sun damage as well as the skin’s texture and appearance. These peels help remove the top layer of dead skin cells that often cause skin to look dry, dull and lifeless. Once the surface skin is removed, younger, fresher looking skin is revealed. Chemical peels also help to dissolve the oil and debris that clog pores, making them appear smaller and improving acne.

Types of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are superficial (removing only the very surface layer of skin) or medium-depth. Superficial peels are the most common peel performed for acne and sun damage. These are usually done in a series of 3-6 and these peels require no downtime. Medium depth peels are done for more stubborn brown spots or significant sun damage, and involve several days of significant peeling.

Superficial Chemical Peels

• Glycolic acid peel
  This is the “lunchtime” peel, causing the least flaking of all the peels. It uses glycolic acid, a mild acid from sugar cane, to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells, clean pores and refresh the overall appearance of the skin. It is also helpful in evening out skin discoloration and improving sunspots. These are done about every 2 weeks.

• Betalift™ Peel
  This peel uses salicylic acid to lift off dead skin cells and has excellent penetration into the hair follicle and oil glands, making it an excellent acne treatment. Also helps to fade hyper-pigmentation and sun spots. After this peel expect mild flaking for 2-5 days.

• Vitalize™ Peel
  This unique blend of mild acids helps to improve skin texture and create a softer, smoother complexion. It is excellent for treating superficial sun damage. After this peel expect mild flaking for 3-5 days.

• Rejuvenize™ Peel
  The deepest of the superficial peels, uses a combination of acids to produce significant results with minimal downtime.  This peel helps to improve acne, hyperpigmentation and rough texture.  After this peel expect fine flaking for up to a week.

• Obagi™ Blue Peel
  This peel uses TCA (trichloroacetic acid) applied in a layered fashion to remove the outer layers of skin. Used to improve more significant sun damage and pre-cancers, it also can dramatically improve melasma, sunspots, and other types of hyper-pigmentation. After this peel, expect significant peeling for up to a week.