Chemical Peel in San Antonio, TX

What a chemical peel is

A chemical peel is a skin treatment that uses an acid solution to loosen and remove the outer layers of skin. As those layers shed, the fresher skin underneath can look smoother and more even.

Common peel ingredients include alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid, and trichloroacetic acid. Peels range from light to deep, depending on the ingredient and how far it works into the skin. Your provider chooses the type and strength based on your skin and goals. A professional peel is not the same as an at-home exfoliating product. In-office peels generally use stronger solutions, which is why they begin with a skin review.

Concerns commonly treated

Chemical peels are commonly used for dull or uneven skin tone, rough texture, sun damage and dark spots, fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and mild acne or the marks it can leave. Peels are most often done on the face, though the neck, chest and hands can also be treated.

Your skin type and tone matter too, because some peels carry a higher chance of color changes in deeper skin tones. Deep wrinkles, sagging skin and deep scars usually call for other approaches. If a peel is not the right fit for your concern, your provider can talk with you about other options.

What an appointment is generally like

Your provider first reviews your health history and skin, and may ask you to prepare beforehand, for example by pausing certain skincare products. On the day, your skin is cleansed to remove oil, and the peel solution is applied with a brush, gauze or applicator. Your eyes are protected while the solution is on your skin.

You may feel tingling, warmth or stinging while it works. Depending on the peel, your provider removes it, neutralizes it or leaves it to finish on its own, and may apply a soothing product and sunscreen before you leave.

Aftercare in general

Your provider gives you aftercare instructions for your peel, and those come first. General guidance often includes washing gently, using a plain moisturizer, avoiding scrubs and exfoliating products for a while, and protecting your skin with sunscreen and shade every day.

Hold off on waxing, other exfoliating treatments and heavy sweating until your provider says your skin is ready. Let flaking skin shed on its own rather than peeling it off. Contact your provider if you notice blistering, signs of infection, a cold sore flare or anything else that worries you.