person looking at face in mirror on bedside table, seemingly deciding whether to do a face peel
Boris Jovanovic/Stocksy United

If you’ve never gotten a face peel, it may not sound like a very ap-peel-ing process.

If you have any number of specific conditions, face peels can offer a host of benefits.

The peels do what they say they do, peeling off the topmost layer of skin.

How do you know when it is the right time to get a face peel and how much is too much?

The peel schedule that is right for you is explained in the following paragraphs.

A face peel is a deeply exfoliating treatment that smooths the surface of the skin.

A face peel uses a combination of chemicals to treat specific concerns, instead of using face scrubs to remove dead skin cells.

In most cases, an acidic solution is applied to your face and left to sit for a while while it removes dead skin cells on the top layer of the skin.

The top layer of skin will peel off within a few days, revealing a brighter, smoother, rejuvenated skin underneath.

“Face peels offer effective solutions for patients who wish to address skin problems like hyperpigmentation or acne,” explains plastic surgeon Dr. Osman Bashir Tahir with Halcyon Aesthetics.

They are great for superficial irregularities and can be used to treat There are scars. from the face and neck.

Bashir Tahir says when combined with laser treatments, face peels can be used to treat:

  • There arewrinkles
  • fine lines
  • There are dark spots.
  • There are scars.

A face peel might be a good choice if there are a few signs.

You’ve noticed There are dark spots. or It is discolored.

Dark spots can include.

  • It is discolored.
  • There are freckles.
  • Sun damage.
  • hyperpigmentation

A face peel can accelerate the aging process.

“Chemical peels can help to remove or improve existing pigmentation, thereby helping to even out the overall skin tone,” says Spirithoula Koukoufikis, senior medical esthetician at Skinfluencer.

Your skin appears dull or dry and feels rough

Is your complexion duller than usual, no matter how many radiance products you use? The dead skin cells can be removed.

Koukoufikis says that a peel will help remove the accumulated layers of dead skin cells, dirt, and grime that can be missed with your everyday skin regime.

This helps the skin.

Your skin appears oily and is prone to breakouts

Exfoliating face scrubs can be a good way to remove makeup from the skin, but they can also be a temptation if you have oily, blemish-prone skin.

A peel can be more effective.

Koukoufikis says thatPeels go one step further than a regular scrub, cleanser, or acid-based toner when it comes to removing excess sebum and skin cells that can block pores. When the skin is congested, blockedAcnebacteria are able to thrive, leading to red, Inflammation and Clarifying Skin.

A chemical face peel can help you with your fight against the bad effects of the bad weather.

You have acne It is It is scarring..that won’t go away

When acne clears up, it often leaves behind It is scarring..

A chemical peel can be more effective than topical scrubs and cleansers at reducing the appearance of these There are scars..

This is because a chemical peel stimulates the production of collagen, which can help fill in There are scars..

You want your skin to appear more elastic

“Fine lines and There arewrinkles start forming when the skin starts to produce less collagen, one of the skin’s structural proteins,” Koukoufikis explains.

She says that peels are one of the most effective ways to increase the production of skin rejuvenation products.

In turn, this helps active ingredients in skin care products penetrate more deeply and improves the overall tone, firmness, and elasticity of the skin.

You have enlarged pores

Smaller pores can be an added perk to getting a facial peel, as they are used to treat skin concerns likeAcne and pigmentation.

Koukoufikis says that a chemical peel can help to tighten pores and stimulates tissue regeneration.

Wondering what type of face peel is right for you?

There are three levels of peels to choose from. The intensity of the treatment will affect peeling.

Each one uses different solutions and levels of acidity to resurface the skin. She explains that the peel is used for your skin type, condition and concerns.

Superficial (light) face peels

Light chemical peels use alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, which are used for healing, because they have little to no downtime.

These help:

  • Cell turnover should be increased.
  • The skin renewal rates should be improved.
  • Remove dead skin.
  • Fine lines should be reduced.
  • reduce Sun damage.
  • Dry skin can be diminished.

Koukoufikis says that light peels are great for anyone who would like to have a smooth complexion.

Medium face peels

Medium peels are stronger. They can help take care of more stubborn skin concerns such as fine lines, There arewrinkles, and acne There are scars.. They typically use a chemical called trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

Koukoufikis says that the procedure is not as easy as it is with superficial peels.

This means more downtime after treatment. Other aftereffects include:

  • peeling
  • redness
  • It is itchy.

The effects can last from 5 to 14 days depending on your skin type.

Deep peels

The strongest peel is deep peels. They are made with high strength TCA.

They only treat advanced concerns.

  • deep There arewrinkles
  • Sun damage.
  • It is It is scarring..

In some cases, redness can last for months.

“As with any aesthetic treatment, there are always risks,” says cosmetic doctor Paris Acharya. “Both lasers and chemical peels are designed to stimulate reactions within the skin.”

She notes that treatments can be altered according to each patient to minimize irritation, but that efforts can only go so far and there may be side effects.

Side effects can include things.

  • redness
  • swelling
  • burning
  • It is scarring.
  • hyperpigmentation

Acharya says you can reduce the risks by doing your research. She recommends that you choose a brand of peel and a practitioners with appropriate training and experience.

lifestyle factors can affect treatment

lifestyle factors include:

  • Sun exposure.
  • sauna use
  • strenuous exercise.
  • smoking
  • Alcohol use

When it comes to medication, your clinician will need to know if you use certain acne treatments, such as isotretinoin (Accutane), or photosensitizing agents.

Chemical peels aren’t as scary as they might sound. They can be a powerful treatment for many skin care concerns, including acne, pigmentation, It is scarring., and pro-aging support.

If you have tried other treatments that have not worked out or you are looking for professional results, a chemical face peel is a good choice.

It is time to book that appointment if you have any facial skin issues.


Victoria Stokes is a writer from the United Kingdom. When she’s not writing about her favorite topics, personal development, and well-being, she usually has her nose stuck in a good book. Victoria lists coffee, cocktails, and the color pink among some of her favorite things. Find her on Instagram.