Women have used chemical peels to rejuvenate their skin for over 2000 years. While the word “chemical” may sound scary, it only refers to the process of stimulating your skin to have its own natural chemical reaction. The result of this process is the shedding of dead skin cells, so they can be replaced by new, fresh and youthful cells.

The 3 Types of Chemical Peels

Level 1 Chemical Peels: Acne Support, Lines and Wrinkles Reduction, Skin Brightening

Within our Level 1 Chemical Peel we offer three different peels for varying skin care needs. These three different chemical peels are for:

• Supporting acne (Salicylic Acid Level 1 Chemical Peel)
• Improving lines and wrinkles (Glycolic Acid Level 1 Chemical Peel)
• Brightening skin (Lactic Acid Level 1 Chemical Peel)

For making corrective changes, we recommend doing a Level 1 Chemical Peel every two weeks in a series of three to six treatments. If you would like to leverage the benefits of different Level 1 Chemical Peels, we recommend alternating chemical peel type every other visit. For example, you could do the Glycolic Acid Chemical Peel to support lines and wrinkles on your first visit, and on your second visit, you could do the Lactic Acid Level 1 Chemical Peel to brighten your skin.

Level 1 Chemical Peels are applied and massaged in the skin on the face and neck for approximately three to seven minutes then deactivated with water and gently cleansed off. The longer the chemical peel is left on the more aggressive it will be. During the application of the Chemical Peel, your skin will feel tingly and warm. As soon as the peel is removed these sensations go away. After your series of three to six treatments are completed, we highly recommend continuing with a weekly exfoliation regime at home and coming in for a chemical peel every six weeks to ensure you maintain your results. Level I Chemical Peels are known as the “lunchtime peel”. Although the chemical solution is working within the skin to speed up the shedding of dead skin cell this process is superficial, therefore, there is no downtime associated with them because there is little to no skin flaking.

Level 3 TCA Peel: Deep Wrinkle Repair, Severe Sun Damage, Acne Scarring Reduction

The TCA (trichloracetic acid) Level 3 Chemical Peel is a medical-strength peel that provides the most correction of all the chemical peels in one treatment. This chemical peel also has the longest peeling time -up to 7 days. This type of peel is perfect for someone trying to correct acne scarring, severe sun damage or more advanced signs of aging. The ability to safely peel away multiple layers of skin to expose fresh healthy tissue allows this stronger TCA peel to benefit clients with severe textural issues and prominent wrinkles. Unlike the Level 1 and Level 2 Chemical Peels, the TCA Level 3 Chemical Peel penetrates deeper and stimulates a more aggressive peeling experience resulting in healthy “baby’s bottom” skin.

Similar to the Level 2 Chemical Peel, the Level 3 Chemical Peel will become neutral on the skin a few minutes after it is applied, and for this reason, it does not need to be removed. Up to three applications of the Level 3 Chemical Peel are possible in one treatment. And the reaction and sensations on the skin are similar to level 2 although following the treatment expect much more aggressive peeling particularly around the mouth and t-zone area.

Chemical Peel Uses

Chemical Peels are used to treat the face, neck and/or chest to improve:

• Sun damage
• Acne
• Melasma
• Acne scarring
• Freckles
• Pore size
• Lines and wrinkles
• Brightening skin that lacks glow and youthfulness

Level 2 Chemical Peel: Support for Defined Lines and Wrinkles, Deeper Acne Support, Excessively Oily Skin

Our Level 2 Chemical Peel, also known as the Jessner Peel, is typically utilized after a series of Level 1 Chemical Peels to further support reducing lines and wrinkles and to aid in eliminating acne. Because the intensity of each chemical peel increases as you move up a level (Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 2 to Level 3), it is important to introduce the skin to chemical peels in a healthy and slow manner for those new to the treatment. In the case where someone is a regular Denver Laser Solutions client, or their skin is already accustomed to using retinol or similar products, it is possible to forego the Level 1 Chemical Peel and begin at Level 2.  

The Level 2 chemical peel contains lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol. It is applied evenly over the entire face and neck after a few minutes this chemical peel will become neutral on the skin, and therefore it is not necessary to remove it after application. Because the Level 2 peel self-neutralizes, it can be applied up to three times in one visit, and it will likely affect the skin differently on each application.

The first application of the Level 2 Chemical Peel can make the skin slightly red. The second application will make the skin feel a bit warm with perhaps a bit of whiteness (also called blanching) around the mouth, forehead, and nose. With the third application, all of the skin where the peel was applied will likely blanch. This complete blanching is our indication that the peel was applied evenly and successfully.

Additional side effects of a Level 2 Chemical Peel are burning, stinging and itchy skin. A light fan is placed near the application area throughout the treatment to cool the skin. Once the chemical has deactivated these sensations dissipate. Level 2 Chemical Peels have mild to moderate skin peeling that typically last three to five days.