What are the different types of chemical peels?
Peels are sorted into levels, and the level tells you what to expect. For readers in Saline, Michigan, each level is read below as a short directive.
The short answer
The source names three levels: light, medium and deep. Choose by the result you want, then ask your provider what each level asks of you.
What the source says about each level
The primary document here is the chemical peels page at my.clevelandclinic.org. Start with the light level.
A light (“lunchtime”) chemical peel provides subtle improvement over time and is often done in a series.
Next is the medium level, which the same page describes in one line.
A medium chemical peel gives your skin a smooth, fresh look.
The deep level is the last on the page.
A deep chemical peel produces the most dramatic results.
Steps to take before you book
- Write down the result you want from your skin.
- Match that goal to the light, medium or deep level above.
- Ask the provider which level they would use and why.
More reading
If you want to go past this page, read a guide to peel types, conditions treated and what to expect, a split-face study of trichloroacetic acid and phenol spot peels for freckles and a review of the evidence for peels in skin disorders and aesthetic resurfacing.
Who to ask if a term is unclear
If a word on a consent form or a treatment menu is unclear, ask the provider doing the peel to explain it. Do not sign until you can say it back in your own words.