Choosing the Right Chemical Peel: A Guide to Types and Their Uses

Chemical peels are gaining popularity, with the market valued at $2.2 billion in 2023 and projected to grow by 5.5% in the coming years. Both men and women love chemical peels for their ability to rejuvenate the skin, improve tone and texture, and deliver a youthful glow after just one treatment.

What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a skin resurfacing cosmetic procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin in order to remove the top layers and damaged skin cells. This controlled injury triggers the skin to regenerate, creating new skin cells and increasing collagen and elastin for a smoother, more even skin tone. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, helps to fade age spots and sun damage from too much sun exposure, and can improve the appearance of acne scars. It also boosts skin hydration levels and can enhance the absorption of products into the skin. Skin texture results in a firmer, plumper consistency, and millions of people rely on its exfoliating, rejuvenating effects.

Types of Chemical Peels

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare or chemical peels. From light chemical peels to deep chemical peels, there are several different kinds, depending on your skin type and the issues you’re wanting to address.

Below are the different types to consider.

Superficial/Light Peels

These are for individuals looking for a gentle treatment to refresh the skin with minimal downtime.

Sensi Peel® (Offered at BCSG)

This is a go-to option for individuals who want a gentle yet effective peel, especially for those with sensitive skin. It uses a 6% TCA solution, making it mild enough to exfoliate the skin without causing excessive irritation or downtime. Sensi Peels also improve surface texture, brighten the skin, and promote a more even skin tone, making it ideal for a wide range of skin types.

Key Ingredients:

Lactic Acid (12%): Exfoliates while hydrating the skin and fades discoloration.
Trichloroacetic Acid (6%): Minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Fights hyperpigmentation and repairs radical damage.
Emblica (Indian Gooseberry): Reduces discoloration and signs of aging.
Silymarin: Offers anti-inflammatory and protective benefits against UVA and UVB rays.

Lactic Peel

This is a great option for those with sensitive skin. Derived from milk, a lactic acid peel is gentle on your skin with a focus on moisturizing dry skin. Before undergoing treatment, it’s important to consult with your esthetician if you have an extreme sensitivity, an allergy to lactose, or extremely sensitive skin. This is a superficial peel that’s lighter than some of the deeper, more intensive options.

Beta Peel

Ideal for acne, beta peels use Salicylic acid to penetrate pores and exfoliate bacteria and irritants that lead to breakouts. This peel is made for oil control and is safe for sensitive skin types as it mostly targets the first layer of skin. One side effect is that it may cause dryness, so it isn’t ideal for people with overly dry skin.

Mandelic Peel

This anti-aging peel is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that is more gentle than others, encouraging cell turnover and removing dead skin cells. It strengthens collagen production and thins the outermost layer of the skin called the stratum corneum — this helps reflect light better, encouraging the skin to look more youthful and glowing. Mandelic acid helps to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture. It’s a great option for sensitive skin, though it may cause dryness or not be as effective for severe acne.

Vitamin C Peel

If you live in a polluted city, you may want to consider this gentle peel. Vitamin C is the best-known defense against free radicals, including sun rays, pollution, or cigarette smoke, which can create a dull, uneven appearance on your skin. This antioxidant-packed peel helps to neutralize free radicals and can help restore imbalanced skin tone and fade blemishes. However, if your goal is to target deeper-set wrinkles, it may not be your best option, as it primarily targets the epidermis.

Medium Peels

These are designed for those looking to treat more noticeable skin issues, such as wrinkles, pigmentation, or acne scars.

HPCA Peel® with Hydroquinone & Resorcinol (Offered at BCSG)

This is a powerful peel that targets stubborn hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and active or cystic acne. Thanks to our enhanced Jessner’s formula, it penetrates deeper than superficial peels and is incredibly effective for oily skin that needs deeper exfoliation. PCA Peels also improve overall skin tone and decrease acne breakouts.

Key Ingredients:

Lactic Acid (14%): Exfoliates while keeping the skin hydrated and balanced.
Salicylic Acid (14%): Clears congested pores and promotes a clear, smooth complexion.
Kojic Acid (3%): Helps even skin tone by reducing hyperpigmentation.
Hydroquinone (2%): Lightens dark spots and discoloration.
Resorcinol (14%): Promotes skin cell turnover.

Vitalize Peel (Offered at BCSG)

As one of the most popular medium-depth peels, it treats a range of concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to uneven skin tone and discoloration. Using a blend of Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol, Lactic Acid, and Retinol, this peel helps to accelerate skin cell turnover to deliver vibrant, glowing skin. It’s an excellent solution for maintaining a youthful, refreshed look with minimal downtime.

Key Ingredients:

Salicylic Acid: Unclogs pores by clearing excess oil and dead skin cells.
Resorcinol: Encourages cell turnover to promote smoother, more even skin.
Lactic Acid: Hydrates and gently exfoliates to enhance skin smoothness.
Retinol: Stimulates collagen production to improve signs of aging and promote healthy skin renewal.

Pigment Balancing Peel

This peel specifically targets hyperpigmentation and exfoliates the skin’s surface while using a series of acids. It promotes cell turnover and improves tone and texture, reduces the appearance of dark spots over time, and creates a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Jessners Peel

This medium chemical peel is great for many skin types and ranges from light to medium in intensity. By applying an acidic liquid on the skin to remove the top layers, it can:

Reduce dark patches and age spots
Even out skin tone
Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
Reduce the appearance of scars
Treat melasma
Reduce hyperpigmentation
Treat acne scars

It’s a common peel used for many different skin types, except for extremely sensitive skin.

Biorevitalization Peel (PRX-T33)

This procedure is a “non-peeling peel” that contains TCA (trichloroacetic acid) that is only applied to the outermost layer of your skin. It has little to no downtime as compared to other peels, but doesn’t go as deep to target more intensified issues. It improves texture and skin tone, addresses hyperpigmentation, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and gives you a refreshed feeling.

VI Peel

This popular chemical peel is made for most skin types, and addresses fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and acne scars with very minimal downtime. It stimulates collagen and has a brightening effect on the skin. Gentle enough to use on your face, chest, and back, the Vitality Institute says it is effective for most skin types aside from larger pigmentation issues.

Alpha Jewel Peel

This convenient peel combines AHAs for exfoliation with precious gems and copper peptides, leaving behind essential minerals to enhance antioxidant protection for stressed skin. It removes dead skin cells, improves skin tone and texture, reduces the appearance of fine lines and aging, and helps protect the skin from environmental pollutants.

Deep Peels

These more intensive treatments are recommended for those with significant skin concerns, such as aging skin or deep-set wrinkles.

Rejuvenize Peel (Offered at BCSG)

This is a type of SkinMedica peel, designed for those seeking more intensive treatment for deeper wrinkles, acne scars, or persistent pigmentation. It penetrates the deeper layers of the skin compared to lighter peels, helping to smooth out surface irregularities and boost collagen production. Rejuvenize peels also exfoliate at a deeper level, improving overall skin tone and texture for a youthful, refreshed appearance.

Key Ingredients:

Salicylic Acid: Controls acne by clearing blocked pores and reducing inflammation.
Resorcinol: Encourages skin renewal to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and scars.
Lactic Acid: Supports hydration and gently exfoliates to promote healthier-looking skin.
Retinol: Enhances collagen production, helping to firm and plump skin for a more youthful look.

Glycolic Chemical Peel

This is a deeper peel that penetrates your skin to the dermis, which is best for exfoliation. Great for aging skin, glycolic acid is used to dissolve dead skin cells so they slough off. The result? A smoother surface and clear pores. Because it is more intensive, it may not be for everyone (especially those with sensitive skin).

Retinol Peel

Retinol, a form of Vitamin A, is the gold standard in anti-aging and beauty. Encouraging new skin cells once it’s applied, retinol also has a specialty for penetrating deep into the layers of your skin. It can have several anti-aging effects, including:

Unclogs pores
Reduces breakouts
Encourages hydration
Improves skin texture
Stimulates collagen production

Because it is a more intensive peel, it is not ideal for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin or for those pregnant and breastfeeding.

How to Choose the Right Type of Chemical Peel

With so many chemical peels to choose from, you may feel overwhelmed about where to start. The first step is to get crystal clear on your goals:

Do you want an anti-aging approach to target fine lines and wrinkles?
Do you have acne or acne scarring you’d like to address?
Are there hyperpigmentation issues?

Once you know your goals, you can discuss with your medical esthetician about which options are best for you. You’ll also want to take into account your budget, your skin type, and what your desired results are, whether it’s about skin discoloration, a specific skin condition, or feeling more at home in your skin as you age.

Cost and Frequency of Each Type of Treatment

Cost as well as frequency of certain peels will help you determine which one is right for you. Take into account your location, your esthetician, as well as the strength of the peels to calculate your costs. Below is an estimate of each, but the actual prices may vary based on the treatment provider, the location, and more.

Light Peels: Costs could range from $100-300 per session. They are the least expensive, however several peels may be required to achieve your desired look.
Medium Peels: Medium peels may range from $1,000-3,000 per session. Multiple sessions may be needed for desired results.
Deep Peels: Deep peels reign as the most expensive and the most effective, where you can expect to pay $2,500-6,000 per session.

How Brevard Cosmetic Surgery Group Can Help

Are you ready to transform your look and get the skin you’ve always wanted? Our expert team can help. Our years of experience with the best chemical peels and thousands of successful patient stories prove that you can feel confident, beautiful, and happy in your skin. Reach out for a consultation to see how we can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.