What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are very much what they sound like: a chemical solution is applied to the skin, causing the older, more damaged skin on top to peel away—which reveals the smoother layer below. Chemical peels are used to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin, and are helpful for individuals with facial blemishes and wrinkles, as well as those with uneven skin pigmentation. Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and mild scars; treat some types of acne; make age spots, freckles, and melasma (dark discolorations of the skin) less apparent; and improve the look and feel of your skin.

It’s important to know that chemical peels generally are not adequate to address skin sags, bulges, and deep wrinkles. Cosmetic issues such as these often require other procedures (laser resurfacing, fillers, and, in some cases, a facelift).

We offer Fruit Acid Peels, Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), Obagi Blue Peels, Refinity Peels, and Salicylic Peels at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center. If you’d like to find out whether you might be a good candidate for a chemical peel, contact our offices and set up a free consultation!