If you have wrinkles, discolored skin and scars, chemical peels can help you achieve smoother, brighter, more youthful skin. At Peel Haus, our experts are pleased to perform chemical peels for patients in the Washington, DC area. We only use the best and most effective chemical peels.
The chemical peel uses a chemical solution to remove layers of skin, revealing the more youthful skin underneath. At Peel Haus, we customize chemical peel treatment for each patient. Depending on the issues you’re addressing with the procedure, you’ll choose a chemical peel in one of three depths – light, medium or deep. Full and natural results are seen after the peeling has occurred. There are many options with different strengths and our expert team is here to help you determine the best chemical peel solution for you.
Chemical peels are one of our most popular services at Peel Haus. Patients of all skin types enjoy the flexibility of choosing a peel that’s right for their skin and the noticeable results that a peel brings. If you’re considering a chemical peel, it’s important to know the specifics of what a peel is, how it works, and how it can benefit your skin.
Chemical peels work with the help of acids within the peel that raise the acidity of the skin to around a 3.8 pH level. Normally, skin has a pH of around 5.5, and changing the pH level chemically loosens the cells that form the “glue” between dead skin and healthy skin. With that bond chemically loosened, exfoliation occurs as dead skin is removed to reveal healthy skin underneath. This process promotes the growth of new, healthy skin cells.
Most chemical peels contain one of the two following categories of chemical exfoliants – Alpha Hydroxy Acid or Beta Hydroxy Acid.
A light (superficial) chemical peel removes the outer layer of skin (epidermis). It’s used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and dryness. You might have a light peel every two to five weeks.
A medium chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and from portions of the upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). It’s used to treat wrinkles, acne scars and uneven skin tone. You might need to repeat the procedure to achieve or maintain the desired result.
The benefits of chemical peels depend on the depth of the peel. Patients who trust our Washington, DC practice with their chemical peels can enjoy these benefits.
Our experts might caution against a chemical peel or certain types of chemical peels if you:
The good news is that you have plenty of chemical peel options if you are seeking a safe, non-surgical, non-invasive option for skin rejuvenation. At Peel Haus, our goal is to ensure you can meet all of your aesthetic needs at our office. We offer all the latest and most advanced chemical peels, so that we can provide you with a range of options to ensure you can achieve the appearance you want.
A Glycolic Acid Peel in Washington DC is a type of chemical exfoliation treatment – a naturally derived alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) – to gently remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells. This boosts cell turnover, improves texture, and enhances your skin’s natural glow.
Chemical peels are typically appealing to clients and patients who are displeased with the tone and texture of their skin. If your skin imperfections are mild, and you are seeking to enhance your overall facial skin appearance without having to undergo a more invasive treatment with a relatively longer downtime, you may be an ideal candidate for a light or medium chemical peel procedure which will exfoliate your skin surface and clear all your clogged pores. These peels can gently address chronic dry skin, fine lines, uneven pigmentation, mild acne, and acne scars. Our experts can customize the chemical formulation according to your specific skin condition.
If you want to minimize the effect of coarse facial wrinkles, improve the blotchiness caused by sun damage or aging, or even remove a pre-cancerous facial skin growth, you may be a suitable candidate for a deep chemical peel treatment. This treatment is more invasive and requires considerable post-treatment recovery. In fact, some deep chemical procedures may involve sedation to keep you comfortable throughout. As a candidate, you will need to protect the treated areas from direct sun exposure and use specific sunscreen as advised by your treatment provider.
Chemical peels at Peel Haus are performed in our DC office and vary depending on the depth of the peel.
After a light chemical peel, treated skin will be red, dry and mildly irritated — although these effects might be less noticeable with each repeat treatment. Your provider might apply a protective ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to soothe the skin. You can usually wear makeup the next day if you wish. Treated areas take about one to seven days to heal after a light chemical peel. New skin might temporarily be lighter or darker than normal.
After a medium chemical peel, treated skin will be red and swollen. You’ll feel stinging. Your provider might apply a protective ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to soothe the area and prevent dryness. After five to seven days, you can use cosmetics to cover any redness. Use ice packs for comfort. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), may help reduce any discomfort. You’ll likely schedule a checkup soon after your treatment so that your doctor can monitor your healing. As swelling decreases, treated skin will begin to form a crust and might darken or develop brown blotches. Treated areas take about seven to 14 days to heal after a medium chemical peel, but redness might last for months.
After a chemical peel of any depth, your skin will be red, tight, irritated or swollen. Follow your provider’s directions for sun protection, cleansing, moisturizing and applying protective ointments to your skin. Avoid picking, rubbing or scratching your skin. It may take several days before your skin color returns to normal and you can see the full results of the peel.
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After a chemical peel, your skin might feel tight, slightly sensitive and peel for a few days to a week. This is normal as the old skin comes off, revealing newer skin underneath. It’s important to protect your skin from the sun and follow post-peel instructions from your provider for the best results.
Once your skin heals, you will see the results. Healing time ranges from 1 day for a refreshing or lunchtime peel to 14 days or longer for a deep peel. To get the results you seek from a refreshing peel or lunchtime peel, you may need to have 3 to 5 peels.
Most results are not permanent because our skin continues to age. If you have lots of sun-damaged skin or precancerous skin growths called AKs, you will likely continue to see new spots and growths on your skin.
In the hands of a professional who has experience with chemical peels, side effects tend to be mild. Some patients develop: persistent redness that may last for months; temporary darkening of the skin; lighter skin color (medium and deep peels); scarring (very rare when peel performed by an expert). If serious side effects occur, it is often because the patient did not follow the dermatologist’s instructions. Your risk for developing an infection or scarring increases dramatically if you: fail to protect your skin from the sun; fail to care for your wound as instructed; scratch the treated skin or pick off a scab; apply makeup before your skin heals; don’t heed your dermatologist’s advice and use a tanning bed or other type of indoor tanning.
The earlier you begin preparing your skin for your peel, the better. By getting at least a two-week head start using professional products, your skin will have a smoother, more even surface, and therefore be more receptive to acid penetration. However, while you want to start preparing at least two weeks in advance, you’ll want to stop using certain products within 3–5 days of receiving treatment, which our team will guide you through.
Discover whether a chemical peel is the right ritual for your skin. Our specialists will guide you to a tailored treatment plan for visible, lasting results.
