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There are very minor peels and there are deeper, more serious, peels requiring sedation and extensive recovery time. We will discuss the available options today so that you may make a well-rounded, informed decision. These peels can be used not only on the face, but on the neck, chest, back, arms, hands, etc. Anywhere you wish to rejuvenate or improve your skin.

* Alphahydroxy Acid: These peels help with fine, superficial wrinkles, sun damage, unevenness, white and black heads, pimples and splotchiness. These peels can also improve dryness and dehydrated skins. They aren't very invasive and provide mild resurfacing results. They produce a mild rejuvenation without the extended downtime of a more invasive peel.
o Fruit Acids: There are five main fruit acids: citric acids (citrus-derived), glycolic (derived from sugar cane), lactic acid (although derived from milk, this is still considered a fruit acid), malic (derived from apples) and tartaric (derived from grapes).
+ Citric Acid peels: Usually derived from lemons, oranges, limes and pineapples. These peels are simple and effective, although not incredibly invasive or capable of significant improvement with one treatment.
+ Glycolic Acid Peels: formulated from sugar cane, this peel creates a mild exfoliating action. Glycolic acid peels work by loosening up the horny layer and exfoliating the superficial top layer. This peel also stimulates collagen growth.
+ Lactic Acid Peel: An in-office 70%or less alphahydroxy facial peel to remove dead skin cells, and promote healthier, softer and more radiant skin. This peel is derived from either sour milk or bilberries. Cleopatra was said to bathe in asses' milk.
+ Malic Acid Peel: This peel is the same type of mildly invasive peel derived from the extracts of apples. It can open up the pores, allow the pores to expel their sebum and reduce acne.
+ Tartaric Acid Peels: This peel is derived from grape extract and is capable of delivering the same benefits as the above peels. Have your skin technician determine which is best for your individual needs.

For the above peels, do NOT pick or pull at the flaking or peeling skin. Also moisturizing will lessen the benefits of the peel. Although extensive cracking an bleeding will not help either, moisturize these areas or apply a calming serum such as Neova Calming Green Tea Serum with Copper Peptide. This will heal these areas and lessen cracking and bleeding which can scar your newly uncovered skin. Peeling or exfoliating your sensitive skin at this time can significantly scar your skin. These peels may be reapplied at 2 week intervals.
* Jessner's Peel: This is a medium depth peel designed for more extensive damage than AHA's can improve. It is made from salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid), lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) and resorcinol. Your surgeon or skin technician will apply a glycolic cleanser over your face to fully remove the oils and horny layer so that your Jessner's solution will penetrate properly. Then he or she will apply the Jessner's solution to your face, it will then burn slightly (although this uncomfortable sensation can be relieved by a fan blowing cool air on your treatment area). you may have several layers applied depending. You may develop a whitened look, known as frosting that will dissipate within a few hours. Then your skin technician will neutralize the acid and remove your solution with cool water. Your technician may apply a calming mask and you will be sent home. You will peel and flake for about 7 days and turn pink or brown afterwards. After you heal nice, smooth skin will be revealed.

For the above peels, do NOT pick or pull at the flaking or peeling skin. Also moisturizing will lessen the benefits of the peel. Although extensive cracking an bleeding will not help. Moisturize these areas or apply a calming serum such as Neova Calming Green Tea Serum with Copper Peptide. This will heal these areas and lessen cracking and bleeding which can scar your newly uncovered skin. Peeling or exfoliating your sensitive skin at this time can significantly scar your skin. This peel may be reapplied at 2-3 week intervals.
* The Obagi Blue Peel: This type of peel is relatively new. Developed by Dr. Zein E. Obagi, this peel is an in-office trichloracetic acid (TCA) peel to correct fine lines, superficial scars, minimal laxity and pigmentation problems.
It is performed in 1-4 steps and is very beneficial to persons of all skin types. Usually more invasive peels are unfortunately suitable to only those of European Caucasian descent. With the Blue peel, persons of ethnic skin tones such Asian, African-America, Italian and other darker skins tones can safely undergo beneficial resurfacing.

The solution is applied in 1 to 4 layers and left on the skin for 25-30 minutes. You may feel a slight burning or stinging sensation as each layer is applied which may last from 2-5 minutes. A gain a fan will help you tolerate the stinging sensation - so request if this is used. The blue tint will darken and advise the skin technician when the peel is complete. The blue tinge that you get from this peel may last for up to 3-10 days, depending. So prepare to take off a few days for this one as well. This peel may be reapplied at 4 week intervals.
* Phenol:
Chemical peeling with phenol is used to improve significant actinic damage as well as moderate wrinkling of the skin. It provides a relatively deep and predictable injury to the dermis. Pure phenol is 88%. The solution most commonly used was developed by Baker and Gordon and contains 3 ml USP liquid, phenol 88%, 2-ml water; 8 drops liquid soap (Septisol); and 3 drops croton oil. It has been shown through histologic studies that the Baker/Gordon formula penetrates deeper than pure phenol. This is a serious peel, requires sedation and monitoring of your vital statistics. Unfortunately, there is usually blanching of the skin and a distinct resulting demarcation line. It is very possible that your skin will never regain its ability to tan after a very deep phenol peel so consider this before committing to such a procedure. Also this peel is usually reserved for the face - and not the neck, arms, etc. It is reported that scarring can result when used on these non-facial areas.
* Refinity Medical Skin Solutions®: This peel and the accompanying skin care is a medical strength AHA without the high known to occur with this type of peel. Refinity goes by the belief that in order to produce maximum results, a high level of acid must be made available to the skin. The higher the level of Exfoliation or skin renewal. However, increasing acid strength also increases the potential for skin irritation. They report that in order to obtain the best result, one begins using a mild solution then works up to a higher concentration - but without the intense irritation seen with high concentrations of acid or Retin A use. Refinity allows this to happen with the addition of COSMODERM-7™.

The peel itself takes about 5-15 minutes and the entire treatment lasts about 30 minutes. You will be a little pink or even slightly red afterwards but smoother skin is a definite benefit. The Refinity Peel helps improve Crow's feet wrinkles about 35%, whereas age spots, superficial facial lines and uneven skin town can be improved from a little over 50% to 70%. The smoothness of the skin and moisturization properties can be improved by as much as 98%.

* BioMedic MicroPeel®: This procedure is a three step process which is a combination of a manual exfoliation, a chemical peel and a Cryogenic Therapy session - together. It outcome is extraordinary. The first step is a five minute manual or enzymatic exfoliation treatment. This step allows the removal of the skin's horny layer, known as the stratum corneum. This allows the acids to penetrate more deeply and also to improve the look of hyperpigmentations.

The optional second step is a 15 - 30% Alpha Hydroxy Peel. Your skin specialist will leave this on your skin anywhere from 15 seconds to 2 minutes, and no longer. You will feel a slight burning or stinging which can be lessened by a cool breeze from a small fan although this step is very short and may not be needed. If you choose to add this step BioMedic recommends that you have no more than 4-6 treatments WITH the AHA peel.

The third step is very beneficial and the main component of the entire treatment. This step is performed with what is called cryotherapy. Cryogenic Therapy is the act of using a very cold substance to freeze a layer of skin. You may have heard of sun damage and precancerous cells being removed with Cryogenic Therapy. The substance used is Carbon Dioxide and it is applied to the face in circular motions, freezes the surface cells, helps deliver an anti-inflammatory response and smoothes the skin. The result is a smoother, clearer, healthier complexion.