Chemical peels are a proven, research-driven way to renew the skin, refine texture, and address discoloration with minimal to moderate downtime. At our Med Spa, overseen by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Emily Hrisomalos, MD and Advanced Medical Aesthetician Susan Barnes, chemical peel treatments are selected and performed with a medical approach to safety, precision, and skin health. Each peel is chosen according to your skin type, lifestyle, and specific concerns, which maximizes the potential for results that appear refined, natural, and progressively healthier over time.
Whether you’re hoping to brighten a dull complexion, minimize sun damage, or support long-term skin quality, chemical peels can be an effective and versatile part of your aesthetic plan.
Chemical Peels At a Glance
- Potential Benefits:
- Brighter and more even skin tone; improved texture and clarity; softening of fine lines; reduction of hyperpigmentation and sun damage; smoother, refreshed appearance.
- Ideal Candidates:
- Adults seeking to improve pigmentation, dullness, mild to moderate texture irregularities, early aging changes, or overall skin health.
- Procedure Overview:
- A customized chemical solution is applied to the skin to exfoliate the outer layers, stimulate cell turnover, and encourage renewed, healthier skin. Peels range from superficial to mid-depth depending on goals.
- Recovery Timeline:
- Downtime varies from mild flaking with superficial peels to several days of visible peeling with deeper formulas. Most patients return to normal activities quickly while following post-treatment care guidelines.
- Provider’s Experience:
- Under the guidance of double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Emily Hrisomalos and Advanced Medical Aesthetician Susan Barnes, patients receive medically informed, personalized treatments for consistent and high-quality results.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a treatment that uses controlled exfoliation techniques with an advanced chemical solution to remove damaged skin cells and stimulate healthy regeneration. As the outer layers of the skin shed, new cells rise to the surface, helping the complexion appear brighter, smoother, and more even.
Chemical peels are commonly used to address concerns such as:
- Sun damage and age spots
- Hyperpigmentation and melasma
- Dull or uneven skin tone
- Fine lines and mild texture changes
- Residual acne marks
- Early signs of aging or photoaging
Because chemical peels vary significantly in strength and formulation, they can be precisely tailored to meet a wide range of skin needs, from gentle maintenance to more corrective resurfacing.
What Types of Chemical Peels Are Available?
Among an extensive selection of non-surgical aesthetic treatments, our Med Spa offers several medical-grade chemical peels designed to treat specific concerns while supporting long-term skin health. During your consultation, Susan or Dr. Hrisomalos will recommend the peel that best aligns with your skin type and treatment goals.
Brightening Peel
The Brightening Peel is a gentle yet effective option for patients concerned with dullness, early pigmentation changes, or uneven tone. This superficial peel promotes a fresh, radiant look with minimal downtime. It can be an excellent choice for first-time peel patients, those with sensitive skin, or anyone seeking a predictable, glow-enhancing treatment that fits comfortably into a busy schedule.
Precision Peel
The Precision Peel offers a more targeted approach for improving texture irregularities, sun damage, and fine lines. With a slightly stronger formulation than the Brightening Peel, it exfoliates more deeply to encourage noticeable clarity and refinement. Many patients choose this peel as a periodic maintenance treatment to keep the skin clear and balanced.
Precision Plus Peel
The Precision Plus Peel is designed for patients with more advanced pigmentation concerns, including melasma, stubborn sun damage, or darker spots that have not responded to lighter exfoliants. This peel incorporates brightening and pigment-correcting ingredients to visibly even skin tone and address discoloration at a deeper level. It is often especially well suited for those seeking more transformative improvement.
3-Step Peel by ZO® Skin Health
This professional-strength peel combines exfoliation, deep stimulation, and antioxidant support for a comprehensive rejuvenation effect. The 3-Step Peel is designed to treat moderate texture issues, early wrinkles, melasma, and sun damage, while also boosting the skin’s natural barrier and collagen production. Though it involves more peeling than lighter options, it can deliver significant improvement in tone, smoothness, and overall vitality.
Chemical peels can be effective stand-alone treatments, or they can be combined with facial plastic surgery options or other non-surgical treatment plans. We can answer any questions you may have about the best options for your needs and goals.
How Is the Chemical Peel Treatment Performed?
Every chemical peel begins with a detailed consultation, during which your provider evaluates your skin type, history of sun exposure, current skincare use, and desired outcomes. Preparing the skin appropriately is essential—some patients may be advised to use specific topical products in the weeks leading up to treatment to enhance results and minimize sensitivity.
During the procedure:
- The skin is thoroughly cleansed and prepped.
- The selected chemical solution is applied in one or more layers, depending on the peel type and your skin’s response.
- You may feel a warm, tingling, or mild stinging sensation as the peel activates.
- Once the desired depth is achieved, certain types of peels are then neutralized while others self-neutralize, according to the formulation.
- A calming product or barrier cream is applied to protect the skin post-treatment.
Most appointments take between 20 and 40 minutes, making peels a convenient option even for those with tight schedules.
Do Chemical Peels Require a Recovery Period?
Downtime varies based on the intensity of the peel:
- Superficial peels may cause mild redness or light flaking for one to three days.
- Medium-depth peels typically involve visible peeling starting on day two or three, lasting several days.
- Deeper formulations, such as the ZO 3-Step Peel, often lead to more pronounced peeling and a recovery period of five to seven days.
Post-treatment care is essential. Patients should:
- Avoid picking or peeling the skin
- Stay out of direct sun exposure
- Use only approved moisturizers and cleansers
- Follow all product restrictions and instructions provided by our aesthetic team
As the skin regenerates, patients often notice clearer tone, softer texture, and a revitalized appearance that continues improving over several weeks.
Key Takeaways
Chemical peels are a versatile and medically guided way to refresh the skin, improve texture, and address pigmentation or early signs of aging. Treatments are tailored to each patient’s skin type and goals, offering options from gentle brightening to deeper corrective peels. With proper care, results can include a smoother, more radiant complexion and long-lasting improvements in skin health.
To learn more about chemical peel treatments, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.