Chemical Peels

Superficial & Medium Depth

Chemical peels are another treatment option offered by Dr. Levine and Mountain View Dermatology that can be used to rejuvenate and improve the appearance and texture of the skin. Chemical peels work by removing the skins damaged layers, revealing fresher skin below. Peels are an effective treatment for wrinkles, acne, scarring, brown spots and pre-cancerous growths and for unclogging pores.

At Mountain View Dermatology, we use trichloracetic acid (TCA), glycolic acid, salicylic acid and Jessner’s Solution. Your skin is evaluated to determine what peel and concentrations will best meet your needs. Your peel program will be based on the best outcome for your skin and the days of downtime – if any – for healing. Superficial peels have no downtime while deeper peels often have seven to ten days of recovery.

Chemical peels are usually performed on the face, neck, chest or hands but can be done anywhere.

  • Reduce/eliminate fine lines to deeper wrinkles
  • Treat acne (salicyclic acid)
  • Improve the appearance of scarring
  • Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or birth control pills (melasma)
  • Improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in texture or color

Superficial chemical peels

You may experience a mild to severe sun burning sensation. Superficial peeling usually involves redness, followed by scaling that lasts three to five days. Glycolic Acid or Salicylic Acid provide the "superficial" peel and therefore need to be repeated a number of times over several weeks to months to achieve maximum benefits.

Medium-Depth chemical peels

Medium depth peeling can sometimes result in sweelling and blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a 7 to 14 day period. These peels are defined as controlled damage from a chemical agent to the epidermis and papillary dermis resulting in specific regenerative changes that can be performed in a single setting. In other words, medium-depth peels use a stronger % and concentration of acid, such as TCA, and are not needed as often as superficial peels.