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Which Chemical Peel is Right For Me?

I am often asked what the best type of chemical peel is for a patient. The answer is that it depends on various factors, such as skin type and medical history, along with the area or problem that you are addressing. For example, my Asian and darker skin patients can only be treated with special lasers and lighter strengths of chemical peels than my lighter skin patients. We can also explore alternate options such as eMatrix or Fraxel, depending on your skin tone. Together we can create a custom treatment protocol designed to address the results you are looking to achieve.

This guide below hopefully can give you some direction as to what Chemical Peel is right for you:

What type of Chemical Peel is right for me?

1. For Mild skin discoloration: An Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Peel is usually suitable for dark spots or mild discoloration since this peel can be mixed with skin bleaching agents.

2. For rough skin: Glycolic acid can be used to smooth rough skin and even for some skin growths.

3. To improve fine lines: Here a medium grade Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) peel would be suitable, in some cases a few treatments spread out over a few months. It may also result in some downtime.

4. Removing age spots: Medium to Deep peels such as TCA or Phenol are used for age spots and deeper scars.

5. For Acne scars: This depends greatly on the scar. In all cases, it is best to discuss this with Dr. Green beforehand, as this can range from light “lunchtime peel” to a deep peel depending on the severity of the scar. Peels may be combined with Microneedling with PRP or eMatrix or Fraxel lasers.

6. Removing freckles: A TCA peel or Glycolic acid is usually used here for freckles and moderate skin discoloration.

7. For crow’s feet: TCA peel might be combined with a Fractional CO2 Laser treatment or eMatrix laser.

8. For sun damaged skin: Again, this depends on how your skin tone is, and how much damage has occurred, but often is a mid-range Glycolic or TCA peel.

9. Removing damaged skin cells: A deeper peel is often applied in these cases, in order to remove damaged skin cells.

10. Removing deeper scars: A deep scar such as an icepick scar may require TCA methods such as TCA CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars)

What are Chemical Peels not recommended for:

Chemical peels can be safely used on dark skinned patients provided the correct type and strength of peel is used.

If you have an active skin infections, cuts, sunburn or herpes sores, you should also not have a chemical peel. One should limit sun exposures after a chemical peel and use sunscreen in all cases. In addition, cigarette smoking can cause delayed healing after a chemical peel and should be avoided.

Dr. Green often combines chemical peels with other specially designed skin-lightening products designed by her own MGSKINLABS line of products. For more information, please contact Dr. Michele Green by calling (212) 535-3088 or filling out our contact form today.

Review other Chemical Peel options

*Disclaimer: Results may vary with each patient.

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