Chemical Peel

What is a Chemical Peel?

The cumulative effects of sun exposure and pollutants can make the skin on your face look older. At our Springfield, Missouri office, we offer several types of chemical peels that provide results—clearer, smoother skin—and restore a more youthful appearance to sun-damaged and blotchy skin.

Chemical peels are classified as “light,” “medium,” or “deep.” Certain areas of your face may need more—or less—treatment than other areas. Depending upon your skin’s needs, Dr. Kienstra may recommend one type of peel for part of your face and a different type of peel to treat the facial skin of another area to provide the best and most natural-looking results.

Light Chemical Peels

“Light” chemical peels include glycolic, lactic, and fruit acid peels. These peels are used to improve the texture of sun-damaged skin and even out skin pigmentation, to improve makeup coverage. They are the mildest peels available, so they can be repeated on a regular basis to achieve the desired results with minimal downtime.

Medium-Depth Chemical Peels

To treat fine lines, moderate sun damage, and uneven pigmentation, Dr. Kienstra may recommend a medium-depth peel using TCA (trichloracetic acid). A medium-depth peel typically requires a week or so of recovery time before the patient can resume using makeup. Your recovery consultation will include instructions for proper care of your skin after treatment.

Deep Chemical Peels

A deep-chemical (or “phenol”) peel goes to the deepest level of the skin to treat coarse wrinkles and blotchiness and deep vertical lip lines. This type of chemical peel is not recommended for those with dark skin tones, because it can permanently lighten the skin. Dr. Kienstra performs deep chemical peels under sedation in our office. If you are treated with a phenol peel, you should allow two weeks for healing. During that time, you will follow a treatment regimen specially formulated for optimal healing.

A chemical peel cannot correct deep scarring or sagging skin. These conditions are typically better treated with surgical procedures.