Chemical Peels

Chemical peels remove damaged outer layers of skin to make skin smoother, reduce scarring and remove blemishes. Ranging from mild to strong, there are three types of chemical peels: alphahydroxy acid (AHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and betahydroxy acid (BHA). The strength of each peel is tailored to the client. Peels can be combined with other treatments, such as facials for additional improvement to skin. 

Chemical peels that are performed in an aestheticians treatment room will tend to be light to medium peels. Sometimes an aesthetician may have a medical director in which case the peels may be much deeper and may require down time.

Chemical Peel Procedure

During an AHA, BHA, or TCA peel, the skin is cleansed and the solution applied. Some peels may need to be neutralized and others are left on the skin. Each type of peel will deliver different results depending on what your skin goals might be.

Side Effects of Chemical Peels

A light to medium peel may result in tingling and reddened skin.  AHA, BHA, or TCA peels can cause temporary stinging, redness and irritation, as well as flaking. After a chemical peel, it is essential that the skin be protected from the sun with a SPF and no exercise for 24 to 48 hours.

Additional Resources

• MedlinePlus
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• WebMD