Treatment guide
Chemical Peel
Resurface tone and texture with acid exfoliation.
Duration
30–60 minutes
US price range
$125 – $450
Cadence
Series of 3–6 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart.
A chemical peel uses acids - glycolic, salicylic, lactic, mandelic, or TCA at higher strengths - to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, accelerating cell turnover. Done in a series, peels visibly improve tone, fine lines, sun damage and post-acne marks.
Who it's for
Sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, dull skin, post-acne marks.
Light vs medium vs deep
Light peels (glycolic, lactic) have no downtime and are best in a series. Medium peels (TCA blends) cause 3–5 days of visible peeling and dramatically improve tone. Deep peels are physician-administered and require recovery time.
Choosing a US provider
Book medium and deep peels with a medical aesthetician under physician supervision. Light peels are safe with any licensed US esthetician.