Renew, Resurface, and Rejuvenate Your Skin
Revitalize your complexion with a professional skin reset. At Chicago Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology, our Board-Certified Dermatologists perform medium to deep chemical peels designed to safely and effectively refine the skin’s texture, diminish acne and scarring, rejuvenate tone, smooth fine lines, and enhance lip definition. Each treatment is expertly administered to deliver transformative results while ensuring the highest standards of safety and healing.
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel uses a solution applied to the skin to remove damaged outer layers, stimulate collagen, and reveal smoother, clearer, more youthful skin. Strength and downtime vary by peel type:
- Superficial peels: Gentle exfoliation, minimal downtime — great for early signs of aging and mild texture concerns.
- Medium peels: Penetrate deeper to treat pigmentation, acne scarring, and moderate lines; several days of recovery.
- Deep peels: Powerful resurfacing performed only by a dermatologist — ideal for significant photoaging, deep lines, and extensive scarring. Requires longer recovery and close medical follow-up.
Conditions Treated with Chemical Peels
Conditions Treated with Chemical Peels
Consultation
Comprehensive skin assessment, discussion of goals, and selection of the appropriate peel and preconditioning plan.
Prepping
Some peels require 2–4 weeks of skin priming (medical cleansers, topical agents) to optimize results and lower risk.
Procedure Day
Office-based treatment. Time varies from 15–60+ minutes depending on peel depth. Deep peels may be performed with sedation or local anesthesia when indicated.
Recovery
Superficial peels — minimal peeling and quick return to routine. Medium peels — 3–7 days of peeling/redness. Deep peels — longer healing (often 7–14+ days) with stricter wound care and follow-up.
Results
Initial improvement within days to weeks; continued improvement as collagen remodels over 3–6 months. Multiple treatments may be recommended for best outcome.
Why choose Chicago Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology?
FAQ's for Chemical Peels
How many peels will I need?
How many peels will I need?
It depends on your concern. Superficial peels often benefit from a series (3–6), while medium/deep peels may be a single, more transformative treatment with possible touch-ups.
Will a peel remove acne scars completely?
Will a peel remove acne scars completely?
Peels improve many types of acne scarring but may not erase deep scars entirely. Combination therapy (peels, lasers, microneedling, fillers) often yields the best results.
How soon can I wear makeup after a peel?
How soon can I wear makeup after a peel?
For superficial peels, makeup may be used the next day if skin isn’t raw. For medium/deep peels, wait until your dermatologist clears you — typically several days to weeks.
Are peels safe for darker skin tones?
Are peels safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, with careful selection and preconditioning. Some peels carry higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; our dermatologists choose the safest protocol for your skin type.
Is there anything I should stop before a peel?
Is there anything I should stop before a peel?
You may need to pause certain topical medications (retinoids, acids) or blood-thinning supplements. Your provider will review your medications and give pre-treatment instructions.
Ready to Refresh Your Skin?
Schedule a personalized consultation with a member of our expert team to determine the ideal peel and treatment plan for your skin goals.