Chemical Peel

Medical-grade chemical peels at Plastic Surgery Chicago by Dr. Robert L. Walton, MD, FACS. Used to address fine lines, sun-damaged skin, and uneven pigmentation across the face. Applied in-office and matched to skin type and downtime tolerance. Consultation required for peel depth selection and pricing.

Chemical peels at Plastic Surgery Chicago are offered as part of the non-surgical skin quality portfolio under Dr. Robert L. Walton's surgical practice. A chemical peel uses an acidic agent applied to the skin surface to cause controlled exfoliation of the outermost skin layers, stimulating regeneration of the epidermis and upper dermis with a smoother, more evenly pigmented, and firmer surface. At a surgical plastic surgery practice, peels are most commonly recommended for patients presenting with fine lines and superficial wrinkles not requiring surgical correction, photodamage and solar lentigines (sun spots) accumulated over years of UV exposure, uneven skin tone and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and early acne scarring. The depth of the peel — superficial, medium, or deep — is matched to the degree and type of skin change present and the patient's tolerance for recovery time. Superficial peels using alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs such as glycolic or lactic acid) or low-concentration salicylic acid target only the stratum corneum and superficial epidermis; they require no significant downtime (mild flaking for 2–3 days), can be performed in a series of monthly sessions for cumulative improvement, and are appropriate for skin maintenance and brightening. Medium-depth peels using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at moderate concentrations penetrate to the papillary dermis, producing more significant peeling over 7–14 days but delivering more meaningful improvement in photodamage, fine wrinkles, and pigmentation. Deep peels (phenol-based) penetrate to the reticular dermis and require 2–3 weeks of healing; they are reserved for patients with significant photodamage or deeper wrinkles and require careful patient selection, particularly regarding Fitzpatrick skin type. At this practice, peels are used both as standalone skin quality treatments and as adjuncts to surgical procedures — for example, applied to the lower eyelid skin surface following transconjunctival blepharoplasty to address skin crepiness without the risk of additional surgical incisions. Consultation required for depth determination and pricing.