Chemical peels have been the number one, most popular cosmetic treatment in the U.S., for over two decades simply because they are so effective at treating many different types of skin types and conditions. Chemical peels are crucial to healthy skin care and leave your skin refreshed and rejuvenated.

Chemical peels are amazing at treating many skin care concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, rosacea, acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation and discoloration. If your skin looks dull, dehydrated, discolored, wrinkled, or sun damaged, chemical peels are one of the very best ways to improve and create younger looking skin.

Chemical peels work on the epidermis and the dermis of the skin by intentionally damaging the layers in order to cause new skin tissue formation and thereby enhancing the skin tone and texture. It is important to note that all of the peels at RenewMe Medspa are paraben-free, dye-free and sulfate-free. Our peels are safe, effective peel for All Skin Types & Ethnicities.  Due to the numbing cream in our peels, the process is virtually painless, with no pre-peel skin preparation and little downtime. Our peel is the only peel that includes the powerful anti-oxidant Glutathione, which brightens the skin, slows down the aging process and helps prevent wrinkles.

RenewMe Medspa is a proud provider of chemical peels in downtown Los Angeles.

How Chemical Peels Work

The acid in the peel lowers the pH of the skin. The lowered pH will loosen the connection between the dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin which leads to exfoliation and shedding off these dead skin cells. This process leads to a softer and more youthful skin.

There are many type of peels. Depending on their ingredients, they can treat certain skin conditions. During your consultation, our team of professionals can analyze your skin and recommend the appropriate type of peel suitable for your skin condition.

Classification of Peels

Depending on how deep they penetrate the skin, chemical peels are classified as superficial, medium and deep. Superficial peels are described as those that penetrate the superficial layers of the skin called epidermis. Medium and deep-depth peels treat deeper layers of the skin such as the dermis. The recovery time and the chance of side effects for peels depend on their depth.

At RenewMe Medspa, we offer superficial to medium-depth peels to minimize the side effects and provide safe results. Repeated treatments may be required to achieve the desired result.

Benefits of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels enhance skin tone and texture, thicken the epidermis, stimulate collagen production, reduce the appearance of pore size, increase dermal volume and reduce fine lines and wrinkles and target specific skin conditions such as pigmentation, acne, rosacea and aging. Since peels remove the dead superficial layer of the skin, they enhance the absorption of skincare ingredients.

Types of Chemical Peels at RenewMe Medspa

What are the 3 levels of chemical peels?

The American Society of Dermatology has categorized three levels of chemical peels.

Light chemical peels

Light chemical peels are superficial peels, and often referred to as a “lunch” time peel. This type of acid peel is perfect for someone with relatively good skin who just wants to refresh their skin. Light chemical peels can treat superficial fine lines and wrinkles in addition to correcting uneven skin tone and texture. Light chemical peels can be done as often as every two weeks for several months.

Which skin issues do light chemical peels treat?

• Acne breakouts
• Skin texture
• Skin tone
• Fine lines
• Rough and dry skin

Recovery from a light chemical peel

Light peels generally peel for just a few days with little down time. Patients can go back to work immediately after a light peel since there is only some mild dryness, redness, and irrigation and your skin exfoliates the dead skin. You are left quickly with a healthy glow to your skin. Most patients have a series of light peels to rejuvenate their skin.

Medium chemical peels

Medium peels are stronger peels which may require several more days of downtime due to the moderate flaking and peeling of the skin. The chemicals used to administer these peels are a stronger type and/or concentration and are used to achieve a deeper level of chemical peel. After these medium peels there can be some increased healing time, since these peels penetrate into the dermis of the skin and can leave redness, flaking and causing, which can take over a week to resolve. Most patients have medium peels three to four times a year.

Which skin conditions do medium chemical peels treat?

• Deeper lines and wrinkles
• Skin discoloration and pigmentation
• Melasma
• Acne scars
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) from acne or lasers.

Recovery from a medium peel

Medium chemical peels can have a 7 to 10 day recovery time. You should expect the peel to exfoliate and feel with redness immediately after the treatment. The skin color can turn light brown within the next day as the skin begins to peel off. Moisturizers, lotions, and sunscreen should be used throughout after this process and strict sun avoidance is essential to preventing a recurrence of the underlying skin condition.

Deep chemical peels

Dermatologist and plastic surgeons use deep chemical peels to treat deeper lines and wrinkles,  and severe acne scarring. These peels require more downtime as they penetrate deeper into the dermal layers of the skin. Phenol acid is one of the peeling agents used in this type of deep chemical peel. Skin color is a determinant of a patient’s appropriateness for a deep chemical peel, with patients of darker skin tones not good candidates.

Which skin issues to deep chemical peels treat?

• Sun damage
• Deep lines and wrinkles
• Pre-cancers
• Deep acne scars

Recovery from a deep chemical peel

The healing time of a deep acid peel can be two to three weeks and you are bandaged immediately after the procedure. A potential side effect of improper deep peels can be blisters or burns. Immediately after all chemical peels, cool compresses are applied to the treated area. Lotion is applied for dryness and sunscreen of SPF 50 or higher is used on a daily basis. Strict sun avoidance and sunscreen use is essential during and after the chemical peel process, to maintain the positive and rejuvenated effects.

What is the process of having a chemical peel?

A chemical peel should not be performed if you have an active cold sore, eczema flare of psoriatic flare. In addition, if you are prone to cold sores you should tell your doctor before doing a chemical peel. Pre-treatment with an antiviral medication, such as Valtrex, should be started before the chemical peel if there is a history of cold sores or Herpes.

Do chemical peels hurt?

During the process of a chemical peel, you may feel itching, stinging or a burning sensation, which can last for a few minutes.

What should I expect after a chemical peel?

During the treatment you will experience a mild tingling sensation or feel heat on the skin. The acid is then neutralized and the skin cleaned. It is important that you avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen while outdoors. After getting a peel you should avoid sun exposure for at least 1-2 weeks is vital as your skin goes through the process of regenerating new skin cells it is important that the skin is not exposed to the sun as this can cause hyperpigmentation. You will start to notice slight peeling or flaking of the skin by the second day after your peel. You should refrain from pulling, picking or peeling the skin and apply hydrating moisturizer two to three times daily.

You should avoid heat or exercise immediately following a chemical peel. Due to the exfoliation the skin is more sensitive and heat exposure and exercise can cause discomfort and skin irritation.

In addition, you should also avoid the use of topical exfoliants, or skin care products containing retinol, retin a, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or salicylic acid for 2 weeks after your chemical peel treatment.

What is the recovery from a chemical peel?

A superficial peel has a recovery period of a few hours to a few days, depending on how aggressive the treatment was. Recovery from a medium depth peel generally takes about one week. A deep chemical peel will take from several weeks to several months to completely recover.

Generally speaking, a light to medium depth chemical peel is not painful. Most patients experience a warm to somewhat hot sensation that lasts for five to ten minutes. This may be followed by a mild stinging sensation. However, a deep chemical peel may require pain medication during and after the procedure.

Are chemical peels safe?

A chemical peel is entirely safe when performed by certified clinicians. However, there are risks and uncertainties involved with chemical peels, especially when performed by inexperienced providers.

What are the side effects of chemical peels?

Normal and expected side effects of chemical peels are dryness and flaking for several days to a week, depending on the depth of the chemical peel. The use of moisturizers and lotions will treat these side effects, which is a normal part of the chemical peel process.

When chemical peels are performed by inexperienced and unlicensed providers, the risks and side effects increase. There is the risk of infection and/or scarring from the chemical peel, especially if the wrong type of chemical peel is performed for a specific skin tone. There is also a risk of hyperpigmentation and permanent hypopigmentation, or lack of pigment. Infection is also a risk from a chemical peel.