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Types
Our Approach to Chemical Skin Peels
The doctors in the Stanford Health Care Dermatologic Surgery program not only have the expertise to help improve the health and appearance of your skin, they are leading the development of new technologies and techniques not yet available at other centers.
What We Offer You for Chemical Skin Peels
- Years of experience using chemical skin peels safely and effectively.
- Expertise using chemical peels to treat skin spots, uneven tone or texture, wrinkles, and acne rosacea.
- Fast treatment with minimal pain and downtime.
- Treatment available in a comfortable, private, easy to reach setting.
What is Chemical Skin Peel Treatment?
Types of Chemical Skin Peels
We use proven chemicals for our peels:
Alphahydroxy acid chemical peel
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are:
- Created from milk and fruit sugars, producing glycolic, lactic or fruit acids
- The mildest of the formulas, giving light peels that often provide smoother, brighter-looking skin
- Easily tolerated — generally, no anesthesia is needed for these peels since they cause only a slight stinging sensation
Protecting skin from the sun is important following AHA peels.
Tricholoracetic acid chemical peel
Tricholoracetic acids (TCAs):
- Come in many concentrations
- May require pre-treatment with Retin-A or AHA creams
- Act as an anesthetic, so extra pain relief is not usually required — though we can use sedation beforehand or afterward to help you relax
- Might require 2 or more peels over several months to achieve the desired result (mild TCA peels may be repeated more frequently)
Phenol
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep peel. It is mainly used to:
- Correct blotches caused by sun exposure, birth control pills, or aging
- Smooth out coarse wrinkles
- Remove pre-cancerous growths
Phenol:
- Should be used on the face only, as scarring may result if used on the neck or other body areas
- Is not recommended for darker-skinned individuals
- May pose risk for patients with heart problems
- May permanently remove facial freckles
- May cause permanent skin lightening
- May leave lines of demarcation
Recovery may be slow, and complete healing may take several months.
After a phenol peel, new skin may lose its ability to produce pigment. The skin will be lighter and always require protection from the sun.
In general, peel patients should avoid sun exposure for several months.
What to Expect from Chemical Skin Peel Treatment
Our doctors have the experience and training to know which chemical peel will benefit you most: a light, medium or deep approach.
They can apply a peel on your face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs.
Our Clinics
Pavilion B, 4th Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-725-5272 Getting Here »
Suite 100
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-7001 Getting Here »
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To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-725-5272