Chemical peels have been around since 1871, ever since William Tilbury Fox used phenol as a peeling agent. Since then, chemical peels have only grown in popularity, becoming one of the most used aesthetic treatments by providers today.
However, that also means that there are now many different chemical peel options available. There are peels that don’t cause actual peeling, peels that focus on scarring, peels that address dryness in the skin, and more. It’s no wonder people are asking, “How do I find the right peel for me?”
At Exhibit Medical Aesthetics, we offer medical-grade chemical peels near Mountain Lakes, NJ, that are backed by research and proven results.
What are chemical peels?
Chemical peels use a unique mixture of chemical compounds to create a reaction in your skin. This causes the upper layer of your skin, the epidermis, to peel away, removing dead skin cells and debris. Your body then increases collagen and elastin levels to produce newer, healthier cells, correcting common skin issues over time.
Step 1 | Application
First, your provider cleanses your skin to remove dirt and sweat. Since we offer multiple chemical peels near Mountain Lakes, NJ, your provider will discuss your concerns and help you determine which peel would work best for you. Once you’re ready, they mix the unique solution and gently apply it with a brush. You will be asked to close your eyes during the application process.
Step 2 | Absorption
After the peel is applied to your skin, your provider will leave it on for about 30 minutes to allow your skin to absorb it. Each peel will feel slightly different, but you may experience a slight tingling sensation as your skin reacts with the peel solution. However, this process should be tolerable.
Step 3 | Removal
Once your skin has had enough time to absorb the chemical peel, your provider will thoroughly remove the solution and clean your skin. You may experience some redness, but should not be experiencing any peeling at this point. Your provider will provide you with instructions on how to care for your skin once it starts to peel, and, if necessary, can help you schedule your next peel session to achieve lasting results.
Step 4 | Peel
While each peel will be a little different, your epidermis should begin peeling within 3 days. Depending on the strength of treatment, your skin could continue to peel for 3 to 5 days, removing dead and damaged cells and revealing fresh skin. While your provider will tell you how to care for your skin, we emphasize not picking at any flaking skin.
What Chemical Peels Treat
Like we’ve said—there are a wide variety of chemical peels available today, and they can be customized to your skin’s unique needs. Because of this, we can treat a variety of concerns with our chemical peels near Mountain Lake, NJ:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Skin congestion
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Hyperpigementation
- Large pores
- Dull skin
- Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles
Levels of Peel
Did you know there are different levels of peel? These levels help us identify how intense the peel will be for patients, as certain patients may benefit most from repeated light peels, whereas others will see best results from a deeper-level treatment.
Light Peels
Light peels target the uppermost layer of the epidermis, causing the least amount of peeling out of all the levels of peels. This also makes them some of the most comfortable peels. We recommend light chemical peels to treat fine lines, acne, uneven skin tone, and dullness. You can receive these peels regularly—about once every 4 to 6 weeks!
Medium Peels
Medium peels go a little deeper, targeting the entirety of your epidermis and the upper part of your dermis. Some medium peels can be comfortable, but providers like to apply topical numbing as an option to keep patients comfortable. You can get a medium peel once every 3 to 6 months depending on your concerns, as they treat moderate wrinkles, scars, and hyperpigmentation.
Deep Peels
Deep peels are the most intensive peel available since they reach far into the dermis. These peels can be very uncomfortable and many providers, including our team, require the application of a topical numbing cream to manage some of the discomfort. However, they are great for targeting moderate-to-severe wrinkles, scars, and precancerous growths. Most patients only need 1 deep peel, but if you need more, you must wait at least 6 months to a year before you can receive another.
Comparison of Peels
Knowing the difference between peels can be difficult, especially when you’re just learning about them for the first time. So we’ve provided a side-by-side comparison to help!
| Peel Type | Numbing? | Time Between Sessions | What it Treats | Number of Sessions Needed |
| Light | None | 4 to 6 weeks | Mild acne, fine lines, uneven skin tone | Multiple |
| Medium | Optional | 3 to 6 months | Moderate wrinkles, acne scars, uneven skin tone | 2 to 4 |
| Deep | Yes | 6 to 12 months | Moderate-to- severe wrinkles, scars, precancerous growths | 1 to 2 |
The Importance of Regular Peels
Many people think that chemical peels, like facials, are a once-in-a-while treat for your skin. However, that’s far from true. To achieve your goals, you may need regular chemical peels near Mountain Lake, NJ.
Think of caring for your skin like caring for your teeth. When you care for your teeth, you don’t just go to the dentist whenever you feel like it—you go once every 6 months to get a deep clean and check on the overall health of your teeth. Otherwise, you most likely won’t be able to enjoy beautiful, healthy teeth for long.
The same logic applies to caring for your skin. Getting regular chemical peels helps you not only achieve glowing skin, but maintain it for many years. Your skin is an organ, and just like any other organ, it needs proper care for it to function well. That is why our team is so dedicated to providing the right peel for your individual needs.
Our Offered Peels
We have selected 3 of the highest-quality peels that are proven to deliver noticeable improvements. Your provider will examine your skin during your consultation and help you determine your best options for chemical peels near Mountain Lake, NJ.
Glo & Go Peel
This light peel is ideal for those with busy schedules who are looking to brighten their appearance without any downtime. This peel effectively cleanses, exfoliates, nourishes, and protects your skin with little to no peeling, meaning you can get back to your busy day with a revitalized look.
ZO 3 Step Peel
This medium-depth peel combines trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acids to target moderate texture concerns like wrinkles and scars. A powerful retinol cream will also be applied to help with skin renewal and lasting results. Once you reach the peeling stage, you can expect to peel for 5 to 7 days.
Vitalize Peel
The Vitalize peel is another medium-depth peel that addresses more minor concerns like fine lines, light scarring, and light pigmentation. While not as aggressive on the skin as the ZO 3 step peel, it is still effective at targeting and correcting your concerns, delivering smoother skin you can feel confident in. Once you start peeling, you can expect to peel for about 5 days.
Peel Instructions
There are things you can do before and after your chemical peels near Mountain Lake, NJ, to help you achieve and maintain ideal results. While your provider may give you individualized instructions, here are the basics of what you can do.
Pre-Care Instructions
- Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight. When going outside, we suggest wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. We typically recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day, for 3 days before your peel.
- Do not undergo any other exfoliation treatments or use harsh skincare products for at least 4 weeks.
Post-Care Instructions
- Continue to wear a mineral sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 for at least another week after your peel. However, we prefer you wear sunscreen every day if possible.
- Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This will help in the development of healthier skin cells and speed up healing.
- Avoid other exfoliating treatments or harsh skincare products for another 4 weeks while your skin heals.
Get the Right Feel for Your Peel
Still not sure which of our chemical peels might be right for you? That’s okay—we have even more tools to help you out. You can book online with one of our expert providers to learn which peel might be best for you, or if you’re not quite ready to commit to a visit, you can use our complimentary treatment planning tool. Either way, you will get expert advice based on your specific needs and concerns.
Just because your skin has history doesn’t mean your skin has to be history. You can easily restore your youthful, glowing appearance with the right chemical peels near Mountain Lake, NJ.
