A Complete Guide to Chemical Peels

The Gabrielson Clinic for Women provides our patients with the option of chemical peels because they are a safe, proven way to refresh your skin by reducing fine lines, scars, acne, and sun damage. With minimal downtime and customized care, our treatments reveal smoother, brighter, and healthier skin.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a professional skin treatment that removes damaged outer layers of skin to reveal fresher, smoother, and healthier skin underneath. Also called chemexfoliation or derma peeling, the procedure uses a safe chemical solution, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid (TCA), to encourage new cell growth and boost your skin’s natural renewal process.

Benefits of Chemical Peels

Many people choose chemical peels because they deliver noticeable improvements with minimal downtime. Common benefits include:

• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Smoothing rough skin texture
• Improving sun damage and discoloration
• Treating acne, clogged pores, and acne scars
• Fading age spots and pigmentation issues
• Minimizing the appearance of superficial scars
• Boosting collagen production for firmer skin

Peels are most often done on the face, neck, and hands, but they can be performed on other areas of the body.

Are Chemical Peels Painful?

A common misconception is that chemical peels are painful. Most patients describe the treatment as a mild tingling or stinging sensation that quickly fades. Discomfort is usually minimal and temporary.

It’s also important to know that visible peeling isn’t required for results. The real work happens at the cellular level, where the treatment speeds up your skin’s natural turnover process.

Types of Chemical Peels

Not all chemical peels are the same. They are generally divided into three levels:

1. Superficial Peels – Use mild acids like AHAs to gently exfoliate the top layer of skin. Great for improving uneven skin tone, fine lines, and dryness.
2. Medium Peels – Often use TCA to reach deeper layers of skin, treating wrinkles, acne scars, and more noticeable pigmentation issues.
3. Deep Peels – Use stronger acids for significant skin resurfacing. These are typically performed by dermatologists and may require more downtime.

At The Gabrielson Clinic for Women, our providers will recommend the right peel based on your skin’s needs and desired results.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels can improve the appearance of many skin concerns, but they are not right for everyone. You may not be a good candidate if you:

• Are you pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy soon
• Have open sores, infections, or poorly controlled skin conditions
• Are you taking isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne
• Have a history of abnormal scarring, such as keloids
• Spend a lot of time outdoors with unprotected sun exposure
• Have very deep wrinkles or sagging skin (other treatments may be recommended)

Our team will carefully review your medical history and skin concerns to determine if a chemical peel is safe and effective for you.

Preparing for a Chemical Peel

Preparation is an important step to ensure the best results. Your provider may recommend:

• Using a topical retinoid cream to boost cell turnover before treatment
• Applying a bleaching agent like hydroquinone to even skin tone
• Avoiding harsh skincare products, waxing, or hair removal chemicals before your peel
• Wearing sunscreen daily and minimizing sun exposure
• Stopping NSAIDs like ibuprofen if recommended

In some cases, antiviral medication may be prescribed to prevent skin infection.

What to Expect During Treatment

A chemical peel is usually an in-office procedure that takes about 20–30 minutes (sometimes called “the lunchtime facial”).

1. Your skin will be cleansed and prepped.
2. A chemical solution will be applied to the treatment area.
3. Depending on the peel type, it may self-neutralize or be neutralized by your provider.
4. You may feel some tingling or warmth, but discomfort is minimal.
5. Afterward, soothing creams or dressings may be applied to protect the skin.

Recovery and Results

Recovery depends on the type of peel:

• Superficial peels: Mild redness or dryness that resolves in a few days.
• Medium peels: Peeling, flaking, or redness for up to a week.
• Deep peels: More intense peeling, redness, and downtime, with healing taking several weeks.

Common aftercare tips include:

• Avoiding makeup for 1–2 weeks
• Gently cleansing and moisturizing daily
• Avoid picking or peeling skin
• Drinking plenty of water
• Applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily
• Staying out of direct sun and heat while skin heals

Results vary by peel depth, but most patients notice improvements after just one peel, with the best results after a series of treatments.

Are Chemical Peels Safe?

Yes. Chemical peels have been performed safely for decades and are supported by the American Academy of Dermatology. When performed by a trained provider like those at The Gabrielson Clinic, risks are low. Side effects like redness, peeling, or mild swelling are common but temporary.

Rare risks include infection, scarring, or pigmentation changes, which is why it’s important to have chemical peels done by a qualified medical professional—not at-home kits or unregulated spas.

The Next Step Toward Radiant Skin

At The Gabrielson Clinic for Women, we believe every woman deserves to feel confident in her own skin. Our chemical peels are designed to gently refresh your complexion, giving you that smooth, healthy glow you’ve been looking for. Whether you’re hoping to soften fine lines, brighten your skin, or simply treat yourself to some well-deserved self-care, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Let us help you reveal the radiant, beautiful skin you deserve.

Schedule an appointment with us today!