Facial and Body Peels
Revitalize Your Skin With Chemical Peels in San Francisco, CA
Chemical peels can rejuvenate the skin on your face, neck and body. Through varying degrees of exfoliation, chemical peels can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, fade dark spots, minimize scars and more.
If you believe you may benefit from a chemical peel, please contact the Appearance Care Center™ today to schedule a consultation at our comfortable San Francisco office.
What Are Chemical Peels?
A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure in which chemical solutions remove the top layers of skin to stimulate skin regeneration. They are essentially an enhanced form of exfoliation.
Chemical peels correct the following skin issues:
- Rough patches and dryness
- An uneven skin tone
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Melasma and age spots
- Minor scars
- Acne and blemishes
A chemical peel is performed in our office on an outpatient basis. During the procedure, one of our providers cleanses your skin and applies a chemical solution containing an acid, such as glycolic, trichloroacetic, salicylic or lactic acid. The solution causes a controlled injury that your skin will repair after the treatment.
You may feel a slight burning or stinging sensation while the solution is applied. We can help you manage any discomfort with a handheld fan.
Chemical peels come in various strengths and depths, from light to deep. Deeper peels offer more dramatic results but come with greater discomfort and downtime. Light peels involve less discomfort and minimal downtime but may require multiple sessions to achieve your goals.
For the best results, we often include chemical peels in a comprehensive skincare plan with other procedures, like Ultherapy.
Which Chemical Peels Do You Offer?
At the Appearance Care Center™ in San Francisco, CA, we treat our clients with two lines of FDA-approved peels from PCA SKIN. This company provides scientifically tested skincare and has been a leader in advanced anti-aging formulations for over 30 years. Our providers are PCA-certified and trained in using these peels.
PCA SKIN Modified and Enhanced Jessner’s Peels
A Jessner’s peel combines lactic and salicylic acid with resorcinol. It is a deep peel also used to treat acne and dark patches. PCA SKIN has formulated an advanced and modified version of the Jessner’s peel available under the PCA Peel® line. These products are suitable for all skin types and come with additional skin benefits. The PCA Peel® line contains kojic and AHA acids as well as hydroquinone, an FDA-cleared skin-lightener.
We offer two solutions from the PCA Peel® line to our Bay Area clients. Both can be used to soften fine lines around the eyes and nasolabial folds as well as to treat hyperpigmentation due to sun damage, inflammation or hormonal changes. These solutions are especially beneficial for oily skin and can be used to clear acne, smooth skin texture and even skin tone.
PCA Peel® with Hydroquinone
This solution contains an advanced blend of hydroquinone, kojic acid and lactic acid. We use it to treat hyperpigmentation, acne and surface texture issues. It lightens and strengthens skin with minimal skin injury. In addition, this peel calms active acne and corrects post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to acne. An enhanced Jessner’s formula, PCA Peel® with Hydroquinone is ideal if you want an even skin tone and have no sensitivity to hydroquinone. It can help fade melasma and other forms of sun damage.
PCA Peel® with Hydroquinone & Resorcinol
This powerful formulation combines the lightening and brightening power of hydroquinone, kojic and lactic acids with strengthening and flaking agents for smooth and clear skin. It’s ideal if you have resilient skin and want dramatic improvement for photodamage and hyperpigmentation. The most potent of the enhanced Jessner’s peel formulas, this peel will also even out skin tone and provide advanced exfoliation to oily skin. We may offer this product if you have active cystic acne and asphyxiated skin (dry on the surface, oily underneath) or require deeper treatment.
PCA SKIN Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peels
TCA peels can be light to deep depending on the concentration of TCA in the solution. All TCA peels by PCA SKIN are known for their exceptional efficiency in correcting signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. These peels can also correct dry skin and acne.
Sensi Peel®
This versatile formation is suitable for all Fitzpatrick skin types. We consider it an exceptional choice for ethnic skin and those with extremely sensitive skin (e.g., rosacea).
Sensi Peel® is a TCA and lactic acid solution. It offers skin smoothing, melanogenesis (tanning) inhibition, strengthening and hydration. It also provides anti-inflammatory, anti-acne and antibacterial action, making it an excellent choice for those with rosacea and acne. The Sensi Peel® is highly effective with virtually no stimulation.
Ultra Peel®
If you have dark and mature skin or oily skin prone to acne, this product is for you. It’s an excellent solution for creating plump, hydrated and luminous skin. We also use this product to treat dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and acne.
A blend of TCA and lactic acid, this product is made with phytohormones for plumping and hydration. Ultra Peel® also contains kojic and azelaic acids, acting as antibacterial agents and melanogenesis inhibitors, while L-ascorbic acid is added to strengthen and brighten the skin. Unlike stronger peels, it produces only a mild tingling sensation and mild to moderate exfoliation.
FAQs
How do chemical peels work?
Chemical peels contain acids that cause controlled damage to the skin. Depending on the strength of the peel, different layers of skin are affected. After a chemical peel, the skin will become inflamed and crusty as the healing process starts. After a few days to weeks, a new layer of skin will emerge, which will be smooth, even and hydrated.
How many chemical peels will I need to see results?
Most of our patients require four to five peels to achieve the best results. The peels are performed in five to six week intervals. The appropriate timing will depend on the condition of your skin and the strength of the peel.
Are chemical peels safe?
Chemical peels come with a small risk of infection, hyperpigmentation and scarring. A trained and skilled provider will minimize these complications and prioritize your safety.
Are chemical peels bad for your skin?
Chemical peels cause controlled damage to the skin, which requires downtime and care. And although damaging the skin for the sake of correcting cosmetic and inflammatory concerns can seem dangerous, peels can actually improve the health of your skin down the line. That’s because they provide deep exfoliation that improves the health and functioning of your skin.
Book an Appointment
Contact the Appearance Care Center™ for an initial consultation by sending us an email here or by dialing (415) 567-7200. You will meet with Dr. Corey S. Maas or one of our trained providers to discuss your concerns and goals. Our medical team will carefully check your medical history and ask you questions to see if you’re a good candidate for a San Francisco chemical peel. We may offer alternatives like IPL Photorejuvenation and Photodynamic Therapy.
