Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels in Boston

Our skin is constantly under attack by sun exposure, hormones,

medications, acne or other skin conditions, smoking, lack of

adequate hydration, make up, etc. Common over-the-counter

skin care is not adequate to undo the damage. Just as it is

necessary to have your teeth professionally cleaned every 3-4

months to remove plaque, so does your skin need to have the

damaged skin removed with the same frequency. Medical grade

chemical peels are the most efficient and cost effective way to

refresh and repair the skin.

Chemical peeling is a technique used to improve the appearance

of the skin that is typically performed on the face, neck or hands.

In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin that

causes it to “blister” and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. The new skin is also temporarily more sensitive to the sun.

The skin care specialists at the Boston Acne Specialists use various peeling agents for treating different skin conditions and skin types and are experts in performing multiple types of chemical peels. A thorough evaluation by a Dr. Ishoo and his experienced staff is imperative before embarking upon a chemical peel.

What is a chemical peel?

Sun exposure, acne or just getting older can leave your skin tone uneven, wrinkled, spotted or scarred. If you want your skin to look smoother and younger, consider a chemical peel, which uses a chemical solution to smooth the texture of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers.

In a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin and allowed to soak in. Over the next 1 to 14 days, depending on how deeply the chemical penetrated the skin, the skin peels off. This procedure destroys parts of the skin in a controlled way so that new skin can grow in its place. The chemicals used are sometimes called exfoliating, dermapeeling or wounding agents. A chemical peel is one of the least invasive ways to improve the appearance of your skin. Although chemical peels are used mostly on the face, they can also be used to improve the skin on your neck and hands.

Why is a chemical peel done?

Superficial peels are used to improve the appearance of pigment changes in the skin, acne scars, mild sun damage, or fine wrinkles in all skin types. They can be done on the face and on other parts of the body. A superficial peel may also be used to prepare the skin for a deeper peel.
Medium peels are used to treat mild to moderate wrinkles, long-term sun damage, pigment changes, and precancerous lesions of the skin (usually caused by sun exposure). Medium peels are used most often on the face.
Deep peels are used to treat severe wrinkles, long-term sun damage, pronounced pigment changes, and lesions and growths on the skin. They are done only on the face. Deep peels are not done on darker skin types, because they bleach the skin.

What types of chemical peels are offered at the Boston Acne Specialists?

We offer the following chemical peels:

Vi Peel Acne
Vi Precision
Skinceuticals Balancing Peel
Skinceuticals Micro Peel Plus 20 and 30
Skinceuticals Micro Peel
Salicylic Peel
Glycolic 30 % and 60%
TCA peel
PCA Peel
Modified Jessner Peel
Phenol / Baker’s Peel

Having clear, acne-free skin is possible with the help of some amazing in-office procedures, such as chemical peels. A chemical peel is a procedure performed in a doctor’s offices with the goal of improving acne, acne scars, and marks from previous acne breakouts. During a chemical peel treatment, a peeling agent, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, is applied to the skin for a brief amount of time to remove the top layer of skin. A chemical peel helps remove dead skin cells, which can help prevent clogging of the pores. There are several chemical peels used for acne treatment, including Jessner’s Peel, glycolic acid peels and salicylic acid peels, all are used for the treatment of acne and acne scarring. There is not a “best” chemical peel, but different peels that work best for different patients. Chemical peels can be used both to improve active acne and also help reduce acne scars. Our favorite chemical peels for acne are the Jessner’s Peel and 30% salicylic acid peels.

What is a Jessner’s Peel?

A Jessner’s Peel is a solution combining resorcinol, lactic acid and salicylic acid all in one, in order to treat both acne and the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown spots) left behind from old acne lesions. It is performed as a series of treatments in the office, generally at one-month intervals. The amount of Jessner’s Peels required for each patient depends on the skin type and condition being treated.

Are Jessner’s Peels safe for all skin types?

Jessner’s Peels are safe for all skin types. These in-office

chemical peels can be tailored to treat all skin types and

skin colors safely. Many patients with darker skin types

experience residual marks after their acne has resolved

called “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” which are

brown spots that remain after the acne lesions have

cleared. They are like “ashes after a fire.” The fire was

the acne and the ashes are the marks that were left

behind. Jessner’s Peels are a safe and effective treatment

option for these patients.

How long does a chemical peel take?

The length of times it takes to have a chemical peel varies by the type of chemical peel performed and the skin type of the patient having the peel. Most peels last a few minutes, though some chemical peels take only seconds and some chemical peels take hours to complete.

What is the downtime after a chemical peel?

Some patients do not experience any downtime after a chemical peel, although most patients experience mild redness and peeling. Every type of chemical peel is different; some chemical peels are designed not to have any downtime, and some have significant downtime. The most common peels used for the treatment of acne have just a few days of mild redness and peeling.

Do chemical peels hurt?

Some chemical peels cause a stinging or warm sensation on the skin for a few minutes, but chemical peels do not hurt. Ice is often applied immediately after the peel to cool down warm sensation.