Chemical Peel

Medical-grade chemical peels at Lemmon Avenue Plastic Surgery to address sun damage, pigmentation, fine lines, acne, and uneven skin texture. Peel depth is tailored from superficial (no downtime) to medium-depth (up to seven days recovery). Formulations include glycolic, lactic, salicylic, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) options selected based on skin type, Fitzpatrick classification, and treatment goals. Administered by clinical staff under physician supervision.

Chemical peels at Lemmon Avenue Plastic Surgery deliver a controlled acid-induced injury to the skin surface, stimulating the shedding of damaged epidermal layers and — at medium-depth treatments — triggering dermal remodeling and new collagen production below. The peel formulation, concentration, and application technique determine the penetration depth and the clinical outcome and recovery profile. Superficial peels using alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic acid at 20–70%, lactic acid at 30–50%) penetrate only the stratum corneum and superficial epidermis, producing a light exfoliation with no significant downtime — appropriate for maintenance, mild pigmentation, dullness, and early texture irregularities, and safe for most Fitzpatrick skin types. Salicylic acid peels (20–30%, a beta-hydroxy acid) are keratolytic and lipophilic, penetrating follicle openings effectively to address comedonal acne, sebaceous congestion, and mild post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making them the preferred superficial peel formulation for acne-prone skin. Medium-depth peels — commonly using 30–35% TCA (trichloroacetic acid), or the Jessner's + TCA combination — penetrate through the full epidermis into the papillary dermis, producing a frosting reaction on application that indicates protein coagulation to the intended depth. Medium peels address moderate sun damage, actinic keratoses, deeper pigmentation, and fine wrinkles; they require five to seven days of social downtime with peeling and redness. The treating physician and clinical staff assess the patient's skin type, Fitzpatrick classification, history of pigmentation issues (to guide TCA percentage and pH), and treatment goals to select the optimal formulation and application protocol. Post-peel sun avoidance and broad-spectrum SPF are required for four to six weeks, as freshly resurfaced skin has reduced capacity to manage UV exposure.