What is a Medical Grade Chemical Peel?

A medical grade chemical peel is a strong, office-based skin exfoliating treatment that can only be administered by a licensed skin care professional. Compared to other chemical peels, medical grade peels are extremely controlled treatments performed with more powerful, effective formulations to yield better and more long-lasting results. They are effective facial treatments for improving acne, blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and age spots, freckles, and uneven skin tone and texture.

Medical grade chemical peels come in different strength levels for different skin conditions and results. They are generally categorized by how deeply they penetrate the skin. The formulation or concentration used will vary depending on the texture, color, and elasticity of your skin as well as the condition you want to treat. During the treatment, your aesthetician will cleanse your skin and evenly apply the chemical peel solution for a specified amount of time.

Types of Medical Grade Chemical Peels

Depending on the condition you’re trying to treat, your skin care expert will choose a chemical peel from three depths:

Superficial chemical peels: These are designed to remove damaged cells on the outermost layer of the skin. This treatment uses mild acids such as alpha-hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate. Superficial chemicals peels are used to address problems with dry skin, uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and some minor discoloration. This peel typically allows you to return to your regular activities with little to no downtime. Superficial peels can be performed every three to four weeks, depending on your skin type.

Medium-depth chemical peels: This type of treatment involves the removal of skin cells from the epidermis and the dermis (the upper part of the middle layer of skin). A medium chemical peel can treat uneven skin tone, deeper wrinkles, mild-photo aging, acne scars, and enhancement of skin vitality. Agents used for medium-depth medical grade chemical peels include glycolic acid, Jessner’s solution, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This treatment can require a little bit of downtime and repeat sessions to maintain your results.

Deep chemical peels: These are quite aggressive and used to remove dead skin cells from the epidermis down to the reticular layer of the dermis. They are used for deeper facial wrinkles, precancerous growths, scars, and areas that appear blotchy. Deep peels are not very common today due to longer recovery times and unpredictable results.

The medical grade chemical peels at North Scottsdale Laser and Skin Care are safe and effective. We specialize in superficial and medium depth peels. To learn more about which peel is right for you, contact us today at 480-513-2888 or book an appointment online to schedule a complimentary consultation.