Chemical Peels: Types, Recovery and Risks Explained

Chemical peels use a chemical solution to remove layers of skin so that smoother, more even skin grows back. They come in three depths: light, medium and deep. Light peels heal in days and are usually done as a series. Deep peels give the most dramatic change but need two to three weeks of recovery and can be done only once. The FDA advises against using peels sold for home use without a trained provider.

This guide explains the types of chemical peels, what each treats, recovery, risks, and how to prepare.

What chemical peels treat

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists these uses:

fine lines, especially under the eyes and around the mouth;
age spots, freckles and uneven skin tone;
melasma;
some types of acne;
rough or sun-damaged skin and a dull complexion.

Peels have limits. Cleveland Clinic notes that sags, bulges, deep scars and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels, and that other treatments are better suited to those.

The three types of chemical peels

	Light	Medium	Deep
What it removes	The outermost layer of skin	The outer layer and the upper part of the middle layer	Down to the lower middle layer
Healing time	1 to 7 days	7 to 14 days	14 to 21 days
How many	Often 3 to 5, repeated every 2 to 5 weeks	Can be repeated	Once only
Makeup	Usually the same or next day	After 5 to 7 days	After at least 14 days

The layers are as described by Cleveland Clinic; the healing times are the AAD’s. Solutions used include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid and phenol, depending on the depth wanted.

A deep peel is a different order of procedure. The AAD says it requires general anesthesia, must be done in a surgical setting, and needs two to three weeks of recovery at home.

What recovery from a chemical peel is like

Light peel. The AAD says skin will be red, and that scaling may follow for three to seven days. You apply lotion or cream until the skin heals, then sunscreen daily.

Medium peel. Skin will be red and swollen, with swelling worse for the first 48 hours. Blisters can form, and the skin crusts and peels over 7 to 14 days. Care involves daily soaks, ointment and complete avoidance of the sun until healed.

Deep peel. The area is bandaged. Care involves several soaks a day, ointment for 14 days, and total sun avoidance for three to six months.

For all peels, the AAD advises against scratching or picking the skin and against tanning beds, and recommends daily sunscreen once the skin has healed.

Risks and side effects

In experienced hands, the AAD says side effects tend to be mild. Some people develop:

redness that can persist for months;
temporary darkening of the skin;
lighter skin color, with medium and deep peels;
scarring, which is very rare when a dermatologist performs the peel.

Cleveland Clinic adds a small chance of reactivating cold sores, and a rare risk of infection.

Chemical peels and darker skin tones

The AAD says people with skin of color can safely have a chemical peel, but should see a provider with expertise in treating darker skin, because otherwise permanent pigment problems can develop. Cleveland Clinic notes that darker skin has a greater risk of darkening after a peel, and that light peels are generally the ones suitable for all skin types.

Who may not be suited to a peel

Cleveland Clinic says peels may not be recommended if you have a history of abnormal scarring, extra coloring in your scars, skin conditions or medicines that make your skin more sensitive, or cannot stay out of the sun while you heal.

How to prepare

The AAD says some patients follow a skin care plan for two to four weeks before a peel. Cleveland Clinic’s general instructions include avoiding tanning and direct sun for two weeks beforehand and stopping retinoid products one to two weeks before, unless your provider says otherwise.

Before treatment, the AAD advises telling your provider:

if you take, or have ever taken, isotretinoin;
all other medicines and supplements you take;
if you get cold sores;
if your skin scars easily;
any surgery or cosmetic treatment you have had.

Peels sold for home use

The AAD reports an FDA warning that some chemical peels sold for at-home use are causing serious injuries. The FDA advises buying and using a chemical peel only under the supervision of a licensed, trained provider.