Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels
What are chemical peels?
Superficial chemical peels using alpha hydroxy acids (usually glycolic acid) improve the appearance of the skin by causing a very mild exfoliation (sloughing) of a portion of the uppermost layer of the skin. In addition, the peels stimulate more rapid turnover of the skin and this tends to help even out skin tones and brighten the skin. Peels may also be used as part of a treatment plan for some forms of acne.
Our Approach
The treatment is painless and requires only a few minutes. Patients generally experience no pain, but rather feel a tingling or warm sensation that is eliminated immediately once the peel solution is neutralized by the treating physician. Superficial chemical peels are generally performed as a series of treatments and are often provided at progressively higher concentrations (strengths) and for longer periods of time with each subsequent treatment.
U-M Health physicians also frequently perform a specialized type of chemical peel procedure called TCA CROSS for certain types of scars. Even some depressed scars that are resistant to laser therapy may be successfully improved with TCA CROSS treatments.
Are chemical peels right for me?
Chemical peels are meant to soften and brighten the appearance of treated skin and, in some cases, blend skin tones and improve the texture of the skin. This is an ideal treatment to enhance skin with early signs of sun damage or marks left from old acne lesions.
Appointment Information
Treatment for chemical peels at U-M Health is offered by two expert clinical teams:
What can you expect as you recover from a chemical peel?
The time it takes to heal after a chemical peel depends on what kind of peel was done and how deep it was. Proper care of the skin after the peel is very important. This care can speed healing, help results last longer, prevent infection, and avoid color changes in the treated area caused by sun exposure. Proper skin care after a peel is very similar to the care used to prepare for a peel. It most often involves:
- Cleaning the skin often. You will use water or a special wash that your doctor tells you to use.
- Changing the dressing or ointment on the wound (for medium and deep peels).
- Moisturizing the skin daily.
- Avoiding any sun exposure until peeling has stopped and sunscreen can be used. After peeling has stopped, sunscreen should be used every day. New skin is more likely to be damaged by the sun.
- Avoiding rubbing or picking the skin as it heals.
Light peels
Light peels often cause some stinging, redness, skin flaking, and irritation. Most people can go back to their normal activities right away. The skin heals quickly after a light peel. The skin may turn pink. In most cases, there is only a small amount of peeling.
Medium peels
A medium peel often causes redness, stinging, and skin flaking for about a week. The skin may turn reddish brown with symptoms like a deep sunburn. Keeping your skin well moisturized will help during the peeling process. Most people can go back to their normal activities in about a week.
Deep peels
A deep peel causes a deeper burn of the skin, with peeling, crusting, redness, and discomfort for several days or more. Skin grows back about 10 to 14 days after a deep peel. The skin stays very red for 3 weeks, and up to 2 months for some people. Most people take about 2 weeks off from work. Complete healing of the skin may take several months.
What are the risks of a chemical peel?
In general, the deeper the peel, the greater the risk of side effects and problems. Chemical peels can cause:
- Redness. Expect some redness of the skin after a chemical peel. With deeper peels or with certain skin types, redness can be severe. It may fade within a few weeks, or it may last several months.
- Color changes in the skin. Treated areas may be darker or lighter than the skin around them. People with darker skin have a higher risk of skin discoloration after chemical peels and should talk with their doctor before treatment.
- Crusting and scaling.
- Swelling, mainly around the eyes.
- Scarring.
- Allergic reaction to the chemical.
- Infection. People who have a history of herpes outbreaks seem to be more likely to have an outbreak after a chemical peel.
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Special concerns with deep peels
In rare cases, deep peels using phenol can cause more severe problems during the treatment, including heart, liver, or kidney failure.
Locations
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Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser Center | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
Floor 1 Reception B
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5314Get Directions -
Facial Cosmetic Surgery | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
Entrance 1, Level 1
Brighton, MI 48116-9416Get Directions
Doctors
Michael Joel Brenner, MD, FACS
Associate Professor
Facial Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Sleep Medicine
Milad Jalal Eshaq, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
MOHS Micrographic Surgery, Dermatology
Jeffrey Tan Gu, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery-Head & Neck
Jennifer Brescoll Mancuso, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Pediatric Dermatology, Dermatology
Jeffrey Scott Moyer, MD
Professor
Facial Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology
Jeffrey Scott Orringer, MD
Clinical Professor
Dermatology
Shannon Flynn Rudy, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Facial Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology
Chaz Luke Stucken, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Facial Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery-Head & Neck
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