Chemical Peel

Types of Chemical Peels

Mayo Clinic specialists offer two types of chemical peels:

Superficial (Mild) Peel

During a superficial peel, an acid solution applied to the skin removes only a portion of the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Mayo Clinic offers glycolic acid and salicylic acid superficial peels. Superficial acid peels achieve a subtle change, giving the patient smoother skin, a healthy glow and a refreshed look. These peels improve skin color irregularities, mild scarring and acne, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Medium-depth Peel

Medium-depth acid peels remove the epidermis and a small portion of the middle layer of skin (dermis). Mayo Clinic uses trichloroacetic (TCA) acid for medium-depth peels. This type of acid peel is recommended for patients with fine wrinkles, sun damage, skin color abnormalities and precancerous spots. After the procedure, patients may wear a facial bandage for one or more days.

What to Expect

Your physician may request six weeks of pretreatment with tretinoin (Retin-A™), a prescription cream containing retinoic acid (a synthetic derivative of vitamin A) prior to the chemical peel. Tretinoin can improve fine wrinkling, roughness and pigment changes. You should inform your doctor if you have taken Accutane™ for acne or used any other facial creams.

After the skin peel, patients will be instructed on how to manage any discomfort and care for their skin using ointments, moisturizing creams and gentle facial cleansers to help remove the old skin. How much skin peels during recovery depends on the acid solution used.

Risks

Risks associated with chemical peel include, but are not limited to:

• Pigmentation changes, either increased or reduced pigmentation, particularly among patients with darker complexions
• Infection — rare, if instructions about skin care are closely followed
• Skin scarring