Which Northern Virginia Chemical Peel Is Right for Your Skin?

Chemical peels can erase years from your face, lighten dull-looking skin, and make acne scars vanish. But it takes a professional to make your skin glow after a peel. Otherwise, you may end up with overly sensitized skin for months.

Inexpensive over-the-counter chemical peel solutions might prove tempting, but these products can lead to a painful recovery and even damaged skin. Our specialists at Dontage take the guessing out of the equation.

We work closely with each patient, and we personalize each peel based on your skin tolerance, allergies, skin type, and concerns. Plus, we make sure our patients use the right products after the peel as well, so they speed up recovery and get the skin they always wanted as soon as possible.

To help you out, we’ve put together a short guide on what chemical peels and what might work for your skin and lifestyle.

Chemical peels with the fastest recovery

Light peels are usually made with BHA and AHA acids, and they work on all skin types. AHA and BHA work best for acne, large pores, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines.

Although the exfoliation doesn’t go beyond the first layer of the dermis, if your skin issues are mild, a superficial peel will do the trick.

A few bonuses: You won’t need anesthesia or pain medication during the procedure. Plus, your skin will get used to chemical peels. As time goes by and your tolerance increases, your skin will adapt quickly, so you’ll be able to get a deeper peel if you need one.

Expect your recovery time to be 4-7 days.

Stronger chemical peels that require no anesthesia

Medium peels penetrate the second layer of the skin, and although they have a stronger concentration than superficial peels, they don’t require any anesthesia. That said, you may feel some tingling during the procedure.

This type of peel, made with a higher concentration of AHA or TCA acids, combats fine lines, acne spots, and moderate discoloration.

A stronger peel needs a slightly longer recovery time: 7-15.

Deep peels for dramatic changes

Deep peels, made with phenol, work best for patients suffering from deeper lines, uneven skin tone, loss of elasticity, and deep acne scars.

Not everyone is a good candidate for this type of peel, but if a specialist decides your skin can benefit from it, you’re in luck, as this type of peel comes with dramatic results that last for up to 10 years.

Recovery time here is a minimum of two weeks.

Why you need to see a professional for the best results

Chemical peels are a great way to get rid of skin imperfections — that is, as long as they’re done in a professional setting.

If you have any questions regarding your skin concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our experts at Dontage can help you determine what type of chemical peel would work best for you, and give you some indications of the outcome you can expect.