To provide the best results from chemical peel facial treatments, Clear Skin Dermatology provides you with options. Your personalized facial treatment with chemical solutions (such as glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and trichloroacetic acids) will give you healthier, smoother skin. At our Clearwater, FL office, dermatologist Rachel Epstein, DO and her team of providers offer chemical peel treatments that help to solve skin abnormalities, like scars, fine lines, wrinkles, rough patches, hyperpigmentation issues, and more. Chemical peels remove dead, damaged skin cells by applying a personalized peel on your skin, which causes the upper layer to peel off. As your skin heals and begins to rejuvenate and repair itself, you may notice a clearer, smoother complexion. A chemical peel treatment is a noninvasive method to make your skin radiant and can be used for the neck and face.

At our Clearwater, FL office, we perform chemical peels in multiple levels of strength (light, medium, and deep) to meet our patients' skincare concerns.

Light peels: You can have a light chemical peel during your lunchtime and return back to your day. This level of peel will remove the top skin layer (the epidermis), giving your face a brighter appearance and softer texture. We typically suggest that you receive a light chemical peel about once a month for the best glowing results.

Medium-depth peels: This level of chemical peel reaches deeper into your skin, and you'll usually prefer to do this strength of facial rejuvenation treatment over a long weekend. You may also need to prepare yourself for more discomfort during and up to an hour after your peel. Medium-depth peels are designed for patients who have significant damage to their skin, including deeper wrinkles and darker pigmentation issues.

Deep peels: The most advanced of the three types of chemical peels is the deep chemical peel, and it will require the lengthiest recovery time. This is an aggressive procedure that can leave your face itchy, peeling, and swollen for 2 – 3 weeks. Patients who get a deep peel generally have dark age spots, sun-damaged skin, prominent acne scars, and deep-seated scars. As this level of peel is usually uncomfortable for most patients, we can provide you with local anesthesia before your peel.

Getting the recommendations of a cosmetic professional is the first step in the journey to healthy, smooth skin. A team member at Clear Skin Dermatology can assess your skin in an exam in our Clearwater, FL office before choosing a chemical peel treatment for best results. Chemical peel candidates, both women and men, should have noticeable concerns on their skin, including rough patches, acne scars, discoloration, flaky skin, fine lines, sun spots, and much more. We may suggest varying strengths of chemical peels to match your concerns.

During your procedure at Clear Skin Dermatology, we will have you lying down in a relaxed position to administer your peel. We will make sure your skin is cleansed before applying the customized solution to your face, neck, or both. We will spread the solution onto your face and let it set for a specific amount of time, which will be discussed in your treatment planning session. Next, we will wash the solution off your face and apply a neutralizing agent. You should bring a light sunscreen and/or a hat to wear outside after the peel to protect against UV exposure.

Depending on the strength of the peel you receive, you can expect the treated area to itch and peel from a few days to a couple of weeks. Dr. Epstein or a member of her team will go over ways to care for your skin during your procedure. Please keep in mind that no matter how much your skin itches during the recovery, it is never good to peel the skin off. You could cause scarring to your skin!

Dr. Epstein will go over your costs in your consultation as soon as she has developed your custom treatment plan. The cost of a chemical peel can vary based on the formula you select. Clear Skin Dermatology accepts many payment methods, and there are often specials on treatments, like chemical peels. You may also consider buying a package of several chemical peel treatments.

The best chemical peel for you will depend on your unique skin issues and cosmetic goals. During your consultation with Dr. Epstein, she will help you choose which peel is right for your skin. Some factors you may consider are your overall health, your skin type, how deep you want the peel to work, how long you can spend in recovery, and what concerns you have about the appearance of your skin. Initially, it's better to select a lighter peel and see how you like the results. From there, you and Dr. Epstein may alter your plan to decide the best chemical peel level for your skin.

Depending on the chemicals used, you may have some discomfort throughout the treatment and shortly after. If you choose a lighter peel, you may feel some stinging, but it goes away quickly with a handheld fan. Medium and deep peels are good for deeper damage and give you longer-lasting results, but they are usually more uncomfortable. Topical anesthetics, medications, and ointments can be applied to minimize your discomfort during the treatment. Dr. Epstein or a member of her team will explain post-treatment skincare to help your skin heal.

You may consider combining a chemical peel with another skin treatment at Clear Skin Dermatology. During your consultation, be honest with Dr. Epstein about your skin and cosmetic concerns so she can create a unique treatment plan to achieve your goals. This may include injectable wrinkle treatments (like BOTOX or Juvéderm) along with your chemical peel to rejuvenate your whole appearance.