Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a non-surgical treatment that restores a lustrous skin tone and a smooth, soft texture to the skin. Chemical peels offer both short and long-term improvements in the skin to reverse the effects of photoaging (accelerated aging due to sun exposure).

Refresh Your Luminescence

Has your skin lost the luster of your younger days? Does your skin feel more leathery than it used to feel? You’re not alone in wishing your skin could maintain the texture and gleam of youth. But this isn’t a dream. We can turn back the clock and refresh your skin. Treat yourself to a chemical peel that can revitalize your skin and bring your inner beauty back to the surface.

Dr. David Smith, of Smith Vein and Cosmetic Surgery, is a surgeon who specializes in skin care, anti-aging and rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Smith applies state-of-the-art techniques to help restore your skin to a state of vibrancy. If you are looking for skin rejuvenation, chemical peels offer a lot of versatility because different formulations can treat different conditions and skin types. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, Dr. Smith can match you with the right chemical peel for you. You can call our Concord Township office, conveniently located near Cleveland, at (440) 853-8208 and our medical professionals will be delighted to help you. You can read our blog for further information on skin rejuvenation and care.

About Chemical Peels near Cleveland, Ohio

As we age, both time and the sun damage our skin in numerous ways. Our skin can feel drier and rougher while appearing duller and less radiant. Our skin’s natural regeneration process slows with aging. And our outer skin layer, the epidermis, thins out over time.

Is a Chemical Peel Good for My Skin?

Chemical peels work well for maintaining healthy and fresh skin. Collagen and elastin are essential proteins that make up the underlying support structure for healthy skin. Collagen gives our skin its volume, the fullness of youth. Elastin keeps our skin taut and prevents skin laxity or sagging. As we age, our elastin and collagen decrease in quantity and lose their tight organization. Photoaging can accelerate this decline in collagen and elastin. Chemical peels stimulate the production of new elastin and collagen and offer a number of benefits to optimize the health of your skin.

Before and After Photos

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Candidates

To determine if you are a qualified candidate for a chemical peel, Dr. Smith will assess your skin condition and pigmentation, and discuss any chemical allergies you might have. If you have a history of skin scarring or have undergone certain acne treatments in the previous 12 months, you may not qualify as a candidate for chemical peels at the moment.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Smith maintains impressive credentials. He is board-certified in cardiovascular medicine and serves as a Diplomate of the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.

During your consultation, you and Dr. Smith will decide together what types of acids and which combinations are most appropriate to treat your skin’s condition and achieve a desired and realistic result.

Preparation

Please make sure to follow all instructions provided to you during your consultation. You will be advised to avoid sun tanning or tanning salons for at least 2 weeks before your chemical peel. Also, please avoid the use of any retinoid topical products such as Retin-A for three days before your chemical peel. 

Types of Chemical Peels

We offer multiple types of chemical peels to address anti-aging, acne, rosacea, pigmentation, clogged pores, and fine lines.

Superficial Peels

Superficial chemical peels are based on the exfoliants called alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. Superficial peels only treat the epidermis and the epidermis-dermis border.

The mildest of all peels are the alpha hydroxy based treatments. They can safely treat fine lines, mild acne scars, dehydrated skin, and minor irregularities in pigmentation. Alpha peels are usually derived from fermented milk (lactic), citrus (malic), or sugars (glycolic). 

Beta hydroxy peels are derived from essential oils. The most common form is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid penetrates slightly deeper than the alpha hydroxy peels. Beta peels work wonderfully on oily skin types. Beta hydroxy peels can also effectively treat acne-prone skin.

Glytone – 30% Salicylic Acid for Blemish-Prone Skin

Glytone – Redness Relief and Sensitive Skin/Rosacea-Prone Skin

Medium Depth Peels

Medium depth peels are usually formulated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Trichloroacetic acid can be used either by itself for a medium peel or combined with salicylic or other acids for a combined peel. These medium depth peels resolve deeper wrinkles and moderate irregularities in pigmentation, and help heal sun-damaged skin. Medium depth peels are slightly more involved than superficial peels. 

Vitalize Chemical Peel

The Vitalize Peel is the most popular SkinMedica peel. It is appropriate for all Fitzpatrick Skin Types. It contains a proprietary blend of ingredients to help rejuvenate the skin. Achieve visible improvement after one treatment with optimal results after a series of treatments. The Vitalize Peel combines resorcinol, lactic, salicylic, and retinoic acid. For best results, a series is recommended.

Deep Peels

The deepest chemical peels can treat deep wrinkles, severe sun-damaged skin, and even precancerous lesions. They were first innovated in the 1950s/60s and used the Baker-Gordon formula, a phenol-croton oil concoction. More recent deep peels incorporate resorcinol. However, deep peels come with some drawbacks. First, the patient must be put on IV fluids and the heart rate closely monitored. Exposure to the phenol-croton solution should be measured and limited. Because of these requirements, only licensed physicians should perform deep peels. They are also limited to patients with fair complexion (Fitzpatrick Type 1 and Type 2). They offer a great treatment option for the ideal candidate but not all patients should be treated with deep peels. Many layers of skin will peel over a period of 1 to 2 weeks.

Rejuvenize Chemical Peel 

Rejuvenize Peel can be used on Fitzpatrick Skin Types V-VI after the patient has established tolerability to Vitalize Peel or with physician consent.

The Peeling Solution in the Rejuvenize Peel contains salicylic acid, lactic acid, resorcinol, panthenol, and isoceteth-20. This peeling solution combined with a retinol solution can substantially improve the appearance of the skin.

ZO® Medical 3-Step Peel

Not just another ordinary peel, the ZO® 3-Step Peel is the only multi-functional epidermal peel designed to provide longer-lasting treatment benefits. Utilizing a blend of exfoliates, a 6% retinol, and multi-action agents that stimulate collagen and restore moisture balance, it evens skin texture for softer, smoother, tighter looking skin. 

This peel is designed to support dermal and epidermal stimulation. The 3-Step Peel solution contains 17% salicylic, 10% trichloroacetic, and 5% lactic acids.

Results

The best outcomes result from pairing patients with an appropriate solution. Dr. Smith is an expert in skin rejuvenation with the experience to match patients with the peel best suited to achieve the patient’s desired results. When skillfully applied by a specialist, chemical peels achieve great results and improve skin tone and texture. They serve an important role in long-term skin maintenance and effectively resolve many skin conditions. For a peek at how great you can expect your skin to look and feel, browse through our glowing patient reviews.

Recovery 

Your recovery will depend on which type of chemical peel you receive. For superficial peels, healing should take between a day and a week. For medium length peels, recovery usually takes between one and two weeks. And for deep peels, full recuperation will usually require about two weeks to heal. During this time, you should limit your sun exposure as much as possible. We recommend ice packs and cold compresses to reduce swelling. Any discomfort can be resolved with over-the-counter medication. Make sure to attend any scheduled follow-up appointments and please use sunscreen when venturing outdoors.

FAQ

References

1. Rendon, M. I., Berson, D. S., Cohen, J. L., Roberts, W. E., Starker, I., & Wang, B. (2010). Evidence and considerations in the application of chemical peels in skin disorders and aesthetic resurfacing. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 3(7), 32–43. PMID: 20725555
2. Starkman SJ, Mangat DS. (2019). Chemical Peels: Deep, Medium, and Light. Facial Plastic Surgery. 35(3):239-247. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1688944