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Chemical Peels St. Louis
A chemical peel is a facial resurfacing treatment that uses a chemical solution to exfoliate the skin and reveal smoother, brighter, more even-toned skin beneath. Peels can improve texture, fine lines, sun spots, and pigment irregularities, and deeper peels can help soften acne scars and treat precancerous growths. At St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Troy, MO, peels are performed under the direction of Dr. Brandon T. Beal, a double board-certified dermatologist.
Double board-certified
Dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery
Fellowship-trained
Advanced cosmetic and reconstructive training
Physician-owned
Independent practice, never corporate
Troy & Chesterfield
Second location now open
What Is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a facial resurfacing technique in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to exfoliate the outer layers. As the treated skin sheds, smoother, more even skin is revealed beneath. Peels can improve texture and tone and help with pigment irregularities such as sun spots and melasma. They’re usually done for cosmetic reasons, but deeper peels may also be used to treat precancerous skin growths or to soften facial acne scars.
Types of Peels
Superficial to Medium
Sometimes called a “lunch break” peel, this uses milder acids such as salicylic or glycolic to gently exfoliate the outer skin and bring back a brighter, more even tone. It’s a good way to refresh the face, neck, chest, and hands, and can help with sun spots and melasma.
Medium to Deep
Stronger solutions such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or Jessner’s reach the middle and deeper layers of the skin. This depth is better suited to acne scars, more noticeable wrinkles, and fuller facial rejuvenation, with a longer recovery in exchange for a more significant result.
The results of any peel last longer with consistent sun protection. Which depth is right for you depends on your skin and your goals, and is decided together at your consultation.
What a Peel Can Improve
- Fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
- The appearance of acne scars
- Precancerous skin growths (actinic keratoses)
- Pigmentation, including age spots and melasma
- Overall skin texture and tone
Your Peel Visit
1
Consultation & prep
Your provider evaluates your skin and builds an individualized plan. Tell us about any history of cold sores or active infections. Some patients use a skin-prep regimen (such as a retinoid or hydroquinone) for up to a month beforehand to improve results and reduce side effects.
2
The peel
The skin is cleansed, then the solution is applied. A superficial peel takes about 15 minutes; a medium-to-deep peel about 30. You may feel warmth and then some stinging for the first several minutes, and cool compresses are used to keep you comfortable.
3
Recovery
After a superficial-to-medium peel, expect temporary flaking, redness, or dryness that usually settles within a few days. Medium-to-deep peels involve more scaling, redness, and sometimes swelling, with healing typically taking 7 to 10 days. Sun protection is essential throughout.
Safety & Side Effects
All procedures carry some risk, and with peels the risk rises with depth. Possible side effects include redness, prolonged lightening or darkening of the skin, crusting and scaling, swelling (especially around the eyes), infection, increased sun sensitivity, scarring, and, rarely, an allergic reaction to the solution. Because a peel can reactivate the herpes virus, anyone with a history of cold sores should be pre-treated with an antiviral such as Valtrex for one to two days. Sunscreen is required during the healing phase and helps your results last.
Results vary. A consultation is required to determine whether a chemical peel is appropriate for you, and treatment plans are individualized. A peel can improve the appearance of texture, tone, and pigment; results and recovery differ from person to person and by peel depth.
Schedule a Chemical Peel Consultation in Troy, MO
If you’d like brighter, smoother, more even-toned skin, a consultation is the place to start, and to choose the right peel depth for your skin. We welcome patients from across the region, including O’Fallon and St. Charles, at our Troy office, and our second location in Chesterfield. Call (314) 834-1400 or request a consultation online.
Common questions
Chemical Peel FAQs.
Which peel depth is right for me?
It depends on your concern and how much downtime you can take. Superficial-to-medium peels refresh tone and texture with little recovery; medium-to-deep peels do more for acne scars and deeper lines but involve more healing. Your provider will match the depth to your skin and goals at your consultation.
How much downtime is there?
A superficial-to-medium peel usually means a few days of flaking, redness, or dryness. A medium-to-deep peel involves more scaling and redness, sometimes swelling, with healing typically taking 7 to 10 days. Sun protection is important throughout recovery.
Do I need to prepare my skin beforehand?
Sometimes. Depending on the peel and your skin, your provider may recommend a prep regimen such as a retinoid or hydroquinone for up to a month before, which can improve results and reduce side effects. You’ll also need to disclose any history of cold sores so an antiviral can be prescribed if needed.
Can a peel treat precancerous spots?
Certain peels can help treat actinic keratoses, a precancerous condition caused by sun damage, in addition to their cosmetic benefits. Whether a peel is the right approach for a specific spot is a medical decision your provider will make during your evaluation.
Does a chemical peel hurt?
Most patients feel warmth followed by some stinging during the first several minutes, and cool compresses are used to keep you comfortable. Deeper peels are more intense than superficial ones; your provider will explain what to expect for the peel you choose.
Brighter, smoother skin.
Chemical peels from superficial to deep, for tone, texture, and pigment, under the direction of a double board-certified dermatologist. Troy, MO, and Chesterfield now open.