Chemical Peels: Cosmetics

How is a chemical (face) peel performed?

Chemical peels at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center are generally performed as outpatient procedures. Full-face AHA and TCA peels usually take 30 minutes to complete. Phenol peels of the full face may take between one to two hours, while phenol peels of small portions of the face, such as the upper lip, may take only 10 to 15 minutes.

The skin is thoroughly cleansed with an agent that removes excess oils, and the eyes and hair are protected. One or more chemical solutions, such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or carbolic acid (phenol) are used for the peel treatment based on your skin’s needs.

During a chemical peel, the doctor applies the solution to small areas on the skin. These applications produce a controlled wound, enabling new, regenerated skin to appear.

During the procedure, most patients experience a warm to somewhat hot sensation, which lasts about five to 10 minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Cool compresses may be applied to help alleviate this stinging. A deeper peel may require pain medication during or after the procedure.

What are the different types of chemical (face) peels?

There are three different types of chemical peel used at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center:

Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) or superficial peels

Such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels. These types of peels are performed by aesthetic skin care specialists and can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin. They are best if you can’t spare the time to recover from a phenol or TCA peel. AHA peels may be used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Various concentrations of an AHA may be applied weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best result. An alphahydroxy acid, such as glycolic acid, can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin’s texture.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel, blue peel, or medium peel

Can be used in many concentrations, but it is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling to treat fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems. The results of TCA peel are usually less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a phenol peel, and it may require more than one TCA peel to achieve the desired result. The recovery from a TCA peel is usually shorter than with a phenol peel.

Phenol or deep peel

Is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces an intermediate or deep peel. It is used mainly to treat coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure or pre-cancerous growths. Since phenol sometimes lightens the treated areas, your skin pigmentation may be a determining factor as to whether or not this is an appropriate treatment for you. Phenol is primarily used on the face; scarring may result if it’s applied to the neck or other body areas.