Chemical Peeling is a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin.  A chemical solution is applied to the skin which causes it to separate, peel off, and allows new skin to regenerate.  The new skin is smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin, and may also be more even in color.

What can it do?

Chemical peeling is used to treat fine lines, certain types of acne, freckles, liver spots, age spots, and blotchiness due to taking birth control pills.  Skin that is dull in texture and color may be improved with chemical peeling.  Sun screen must be used in conjunction with chemical peels since the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to injury.

How are chemical peels performed?

The procedure may be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs.  A solution is applied to the skin to help peel off layers of skin, enabling rejuvenated skin to appear.  During the procedure, most patients experience a warm to hot sensation that may last about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation, like a sunburn.  Superficial peeling usually involves redness, followed by flaking that lasts several days and it does not result in any down time.  You can get a superficial peel during your lunch hour and return to work.  Medium-depth peels can sometimes result in swelling and blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a period of days.  It does require time to heal depending on the depth of the peel.  Your dermatologist will recommend the best peel for your skin problems.  Prior to a chemical peel, it is important for a patient to inform the dermatologist of any past history of keloids, recurring cold sores, or unusual scarring tendencies for proper precautions to be taken.

What are the limitations of chemical peels?

Chemical peels cannot improve loose or sagging skin, other procedures will be required.  Chemical peeling does not remove deep scars.  It cannot change pore size but it could make the pore size less noticeable.