Chemical peels are a great way to improve the look of your skin. They are especially helpful for people with acne and pigmentation problems, or if you have wrinkles or fine lines. They can also help smooth out rough patches, like those caused by scarring or sun damage.
Chemical peels work by removing the top layer of skin and revealing new, healthy skin underneath. This is usually done with glycolic acid, which is a naturally-occurring fruit acid that helps slough off dead cells and stimulate collagen production. You can get a chemical peel in many different places—from dermatologists to spas to salons—and they all have their own techniques when it comes to application and removal.
However, there are some downsides to chemical peels:
What are chemical peels?
Chemical peels are cosmetic treatments that can be applied to the face, hands, and neck. They’re used to improve the appearance or feel of the skin. During this procedure, chemical solutions will be applied to the area being treated, which causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off. Once this happens, the new skin underneath is often smoother, appears less wrinkled, and may have less damage.
Chemical peels can improve the skin’s appearance. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.
Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to:
- Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
- Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
- Improve the appearance of mild scars
- Treat certain types of acne
- Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills
- Improve the look and feel of skin
Areas of sun damage may improve after chemical peeling.
After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say “broad-spectrum” on the label, meaning it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Also, it should be a physical sunscreen and be above SPF 30. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
What type of chemical peels can I get?
There are three different types of chemical peels that you can get. These include:
- Superficial peels, which use mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate. It only penetrates the outermost layer of skin.
- Medium peels, which use trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to reach the middle and outer layer of skills. This makes it more effective for removing damaged skin cells.
- Deep peels, which fully penetrate the middle layer of the skin to remove damaged skin cells; these peels often use phenol or tricholoracetic acid.
What is a PCA peel?
A PCA peel is a brand of chemical peel manufactured by PCA Skin. The company offers a wide variety of professional chemical peels as well as everyday products to:
- rejuvenate your skin
- correct the effects of the sun
- reduce scaring from acne or trauma
- manage discoloration and wrinkles from aging
The company has manufactured products since 1990 and offers a certification program for professionals seeking to perform PCA peels.
Most PCA peels are superficial peels
Many PCA peels are known as superficial peels. This means they target the top layers of your skin, with little recovery time. There are different formulas for a variety of skin types.
Several of the PCA Skin peels use a modified version of the Jessner peel. The PCA peels contain ingredients like lactic acid and salicylic acid. Both are deemed to be effective for treating the skin, according to a 2016 research review.
Some PCA peels target deeper layers of the skin
Some PCA peels treat deeper layers of your skin. These are known as blended peels.
Blended peels contain an ingredient common to medium-depth peels called trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Blended peels lower the toxicity of each ingredient by combining them together.
Types of PCA peels
PCA Advanced Skin Care System® – Light to Medium – depth peels
Formulated using important ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxyl acids, PCA SKIN chemical peels loosen old, dead cells from the skin’s surface revealing new, healthy cells
Modified and Enhanced Jessner’s Peels
This variety of gentle and innovatively blended formulations effectively smoothes surface texture while brightening and inhibiting hyperpigmentation. They also help heal and reduce breakouts, control oil, and soften lines and wrinkles to provide more even skin texture
PCA Peel® Hydroquinone Free
(14% Lactic Acid, 14% Salicylic Acid, 3% Kojic Acid & Citric Acid)
This formula is ideal for more sensitive skin types, ethnic skin or those allergic to hydroquinone. This treatment will help unclog pores, clear acne and rejuvenate the skin. With its blend of brighteners and alpha and beta hydroxyl acids, it also is an excellent choice for correcting pigment discolorations and maintain even pigmentation for those with hydroquinone sensitivities
PCA Peel® with Hydroquinone
(2% Hydroquinone, 14% Lactic Acid, 14% Salicylic Acid, 3% Kojic Acid & Citric Acid)
This formula is for those who want an even skin tone and have no sensitivity to hydroquinone. It will help to quickly lighten pigment discolorations of any kind, such as melasma and actinic damage. In addition, this peel helps inhibit acne and correct post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne
PCA Peel® with Hydroquinone & Resorcinol
(2% Hydroquinone, 14% Lactic Acid, 14% Salicylic Acid, 3% Kojic Acid, Resorcinol & Citric Acid)
The most potent of the enhanced Jessner’s formulas, this peel will even skin tone and provide more exfoliation for oilier, thicker and more resilient skin types. It is extremely effective on sun-damaged and thickened skin. It is also excellent for those with active or cystic and asphyxiated skin (dry on the surface, oily underneath) or those who require deeper treatment
Blended TCA Peels
These skin friendly yet effective peels address many skin conditions without the discomfort and downtime associated with traditional TCA peels. These blends contain a variety of beneficial ingredients to help treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles, while leaving the skin plump and hydrated. This group contains a range of options from very gentle, for sensitive or darker skin types, to more active formulations, for resilient skin and the skin on the body
Sensi Peel®
(12% Lactic Acid, 6% Trichloroacetic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Arbutin & L-Ascorbic Acid)
This gentle solution is formulated primarily for ethnic skin and other extremely sensitive skin types. The Sensi Peel will strengthen and brighten the skin while helping to treat sun damage and other forms of hyperpigmentation. This multi-faceted treatment also provides anti-inflammatory, anti-acne and antibacterial action, making it an excellent choice for helping to calm rosacea, as redness and inflammation can subside substantially after treatment
Ultra Peel® I
(20% Lactic Acid, 10% Trichloroacetic Acid, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid & L-Ascorbic Acid)
Specially formulated to treat dehydrated, maturing skin, Ultra Peel I is also appropriate for many other skin types, conditions and sensitivities. It will help treat pigment disorders, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damaged skin and acne. This treatment is especially ideal for sensitive skin, as it produces only a mild tingling sensation. Mild to moderate exfoliation will be experienced, depending on the number of layers applied. Overall the final result will be plump, hydrated and luminous skin
Ultra Peel® Forte
(20% Trichloroacetic Acid, 10% Lactic Acid)
Those with resilient skin who have more dramatic wrinkling, sun damage and acne scarring are the most suitable candidates for this deeper and more active treatment. The skin is left smooth and hydrated, with improved tone and texture
Retinoid Treatments
These complimentary add-on treatments create mild occlusion to enhance absorption of the vitamins, antioxidants and rich actives into the skin for maximum benefits. They are used as a booster to PCA SKIN® peels
Ultra Peel® II
Ultra Peel II is a 10% retinol cream designed to enhance the results of PCA SKIN® professional treatments. It may be used in combination with any other PCA SKIN® chemical peel to increase exfoliation, plump and hydrate, and improve tone and texture. This is the best choice for patients with normal to dry and mature skin
Esthetique Peel
Esthetique Peel combines 10% retinol and 20% lactic acid with an age defying blend of polyphenols and humectants to treat aging skin, laxity, sensitive acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation. Used in combination with any PCA SKIN® chemical peel, it offers immediate smoothing, brightening and firming benefits to create glowing, healthy skin. It is most appropriate for normal to oily skin and those working to clear hyperpigmentation
Obagi™ Blue Peel Radiance
Perfect before that special event. Feel and appear tighter, smoother, and brighter in just one peel
DiamondTome™ Peel
Similar to particle microdermabrasion yet with no adverse effects from the loose particles. The DiamondTome Wand removes the superficial layers of skin by gently exfoliating with natural diamond chips
HydroPlus+
Combining this with the exfoliating effects of the DiamondTome and corrective serums, allows for deeper product penetration
Ultrasonic Infusion Anti-aging Therapy
The next step in rejuvenation, Therapeutic ultrasound achieves deep penetration and absorption of topical serums. Combining this with the exfoliating effects of the DiamondTome or with one of the PCA acid peels enhances efficacy. This treatment can be done post operatively to promote healing after surgery
VascuTouch
Is a quick and effective way to remove unsightly vascular blemishes and skin tags
Who’s an ideal candidate for a PCA peel?
Superficial PCA peels may appeal to those who are curious about chemical peels but wary of the recovery period and side effects. PCA peels work for a variety of people because of the many product options available.
If you want to correct more serious skin irregularities, you may want to consider a heavier peel. These irregularities may include conditions related to your skin’s:
- texture
- pigmentation
- scarring
Before undergoing treatment, discuss chemical peels with your doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing or have a serious underlying health condition.
How many peels do you need before you begin to see results?
Superficial peels will have some immediate results, while others may require a series of treatments.
Either way, the results aren’t permanent. You may seek monthly PCA peels or use other PCA skin care products to maintain your results.
What’s the PCA procedure like?
Here’s what to expect before, during, and after a PCA skin peel procedure.
Before your peel
Before your skin peel, you’ll discuss your needs with a doctor or skin specialist trained in PCA Skin products. This could be a few weeks before the treatment or closer to the time of your peel.
You may need to apply some products to your skin for 1 or 2 weeks before your treatment for optimal results.
Day of peel
On the day of your procedure, your doctor or skin care professional will first clean your skin. Then they’ll evenly apply the chemical solution.
Superficial PCA skin peels are applied in layers and left on your skin. They’re not timed and removed like deeper chemical peels. The strength of a superficial PCA peel is controlled by the number of layers applied.
The specialist will apply a calming topical lotion with broad-spectrum SPF protection on top of your final layer before sending you home.
After your peel
Your doctor or skin specialist will give you instructions on how to care for your skin immediately after the procedure, such as how soon you may wash your face after the chemical peel and what products to apply. Be sure to follow these instructions.
What’s the best way to take care of your skin post PCA peel?
Superficial chemical peels from PCA Skin may require very little following the procedure. Your skin specialist may even allow you to apply makeup 15 minutes after the procedure to cover up skin flaking or redness.
Within the first 2 days of your procedure, you should avoid:
- overheating
- hot showers, baths, and other hot steam
- hair dryers near the treated area
- swimming
- activities that result in a lot of sweating
- exfoliating the treated skin
- icing or heating the treated area
You should avoid direct sun exposure in the 1 or 2 weeks following the peel. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, and don’t use a tanning bed within 2 weeks.
Delay other skin treatments near the affected area for 5 or more days.
You should also use any products following the procedure as recommended by your skin specialist. They’ll determine the most effective combination of products for your skin type. This may include a gentle skin cleanser and a noncomedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen.
Discuss medications you take with your skin specialist to ensure your safety and reduce the chance of a reaction following your procedure.
Contact your doctor or skin care professional if:
- You’re in extreme discomfort following the procedure.
- Your symptoms worsen after the initial recovery period.
- You have any other concerns.
PCA Skin Chemical Peel Ingredients
Key ingredients: Hydroquinone, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Kojic Acid, Citric Acid. PCA Peel with hydroquinone and resorcinol is the most potent of enhanced Jessner’s formulas. This peel will even skin tone and provide more exfoliation for oilier, thicker and more resilient skin types.