Are Chemical Peels Safe for My Skin?

You’ve been searching for a solution to crepey skin, minor scars, and sunspots, but creams and ointments don’t seem to work. These days, you have many options that can rejuvenate your skin, but if you’re looking for a good entry point into the world of advanced skin care, a chemical peel is a great choice. 

Rick J. Smith, MD, our board-certified plastic surgeon, specializes in the art and science of facial transformation, which is why so many throughout East Lansing, Michigan, trust his  esthetician to perform chemical peels safely and effectively. Here’s what Dr. Smith wants you to know about the types of chemical peels, what they do for your skin, and why they’re considered safe.

How chemical peels work

A chemical peel is a solution that the esthetician applies to your skin to remove the top layer of cells and improves wrinkles, scars, sun damage, and other imperfections that live in that layer. They can reduce pore size, improve tone and texture and reduce acne breakouts.

When the acids in your chemical peel break down the proteins and lipids in your skin, the cells in the top layer loosen and peel off. Eventually, new skin cells replace the old ones, and your wrinkles and other imperfections fade away.

The depth of peeling depends on the type and strength of the acid. 

Types of chemical peels

Chemical peels come in three types based on their strength: superficial, medium, and deep. 

Superficial chemical peels use alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA’s) to exfoliate and reduce minor skin imperfections like sunspots and mild acne. 

Medium and deep chemical peels use trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as well as AHA’s and BHA’s  to penetrate deeper into the skin, giving you more intensive results.

No matter which type of chemical peel you choose, it’s essential to find an experienced provider to perform the procedure. Dr. Smith is committed to providing safe chemical peels, performed by a highly trained esthetician, that give you beautiful and natural-looking results.

What to expect from a chemical peel

Chemical peels are considered safe when performed by an experienced provider.   You may have some mild side effects like redness and irritation, flaking or peeling but they resolve in a few days.

Dr. Smith takes the utmost care to ensure that chemical peels are performed safely and effectively so you can enjoy beautiful results without any risk of complications.

Whether you’re looking for a subtle improvement or a dramatic transformation, chemical peels are an effective solution that can safely resurface your skin and restore its youthful appearance. To learn more about chemical peels and find out if they're right for you, contact Rick J. Smith, MD, online or by phone to schedule an appointment.