Chemical Peels

Chemical peels remain a cornerstone of medical dermatology at Dr. Ariel Ostad's Upper East Side practice — proven tools for skin rejuvenation that deliver consistent results across a broad patient population, particularly for those seeking measurable improvements without the capital investment or downtime associated with energy-based devices.

Light peels using glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from sugar cane) or salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) exfoliate the stratum corneum and upper epidermal layers. These formulations are well-tolerated, require no downtime beyond mild redness and flaking over two to three days, and are appropriate for patients managing oily skin, enlarged pores, clogged pores, mild hyperpigmentation, or early photoaging. A series of four to six treatments…

Medium-depth peels using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at concentrations of 20–35% penetrate into the papillary dermis, producing controlled coagulative necrosis that drives significant collagen remodelling on healing. They are effective for moderate sun damage, fine lines, actinic keratoses, and more stubborn pigmentation irregularities. Downtime is five to seven days of peeling and redness — comparable to a light fractional laser session — and the…