Chemical Peels (Superficial, Medium, Deep, VI Peel)

Medical-grade chemical peels at ARC Plastic Surgery Miami across three depth categories: superficial (7-day recovery), medium (2-week recovery), and deep (2–3 week recovery). The VI Peel is also offered. Used to address sun damage, uneven pigmentation, fine lines, and texture irregularity. Consultation required to match peel depth to skin type and tolerance for downtime.

Chemical peels at ARC Plastic Surgery in Aventura, Miami are medical-grade exfoliation treatments that use chemical agents to remove controlled layers of the skin, stimulating regeneration with a smoother, more even-toned, and firmer surface. The depth of the peel — superficial, medium, or deep — determines the target layer of skin removed, the degree of result achievable, and the recovery time required. Superficial peels (alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic or lactic acid, or light trichloroacetic acid/TCA at low concentrations) remove only the stratum corneum and superficial epidermis. They produce mild exfoliation, improve skin texture and brightness, and address early fine lines and mild pigmentation irregularities. Recovery is approximately 7 days of light peeling, with no significant social downtime for most patients. Multiple sessions (monthly) are typically required for cumulative improvement. Medium-depth peels (TCA at moderate concentrations, or Jessner's solution followed by TCA) penetrate to the papillary dermis. They produce more significant exfoliation with skin bronzing and peeling over approximately 2 weeks. Medium peels address moderate photodamage, actinic keratoses, uneven pigmentation, and fine-to-moderate wrinkles, and provide a meaningful collagen stimulation response. Deep peels (phenol-based or high-concentration TCA) penetrate to the reticular dermis and require 2–3 weeks of recovery with significant crusting and healing. Deep peels produce the most dramatic results for severe photodamage, deeper wrinkles, and significant dyspigmentation, but require careful patient selection, particularly in darker skin tones where post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a risk. The VI Peel (Vitality Institute) is a specific medium-depth peel formulation combining TCA, salicylic acid, phenol, vitamin C, and tretinoin in a proprietary mixture; it is suitable for a range of skin types including Fitzpatrick III–IV and produces results for acne, acne scarring, sun damage, and fine lines with approximately 7 days of peeling. Consultation with ARC's team is required to select the appropriate peel based on skin type, concerns, and patient tolerance for downtime.