How Light, Medium, and Deep Chemical Peels are Different

Woman receiving chemical peel

Acne, fine lines, or sun-damaged skin is no fun at any age. Besides being painful at times, it can also be distracting as well as difficult to treat. Sometimes, wearing heavy makeup worsens the problem, and popping bumps often result in scarring. Using over-the-counter products can be a gamble, as results can be mixed based on skin type. Many of our clients complain about how inconvenient some products are, as they can take weeks to show results. Depending on your skin type, you can see a difference with your first chemical peel treatment.

Getting treatment from a medical spa in West Palm Beach is the best investment in yourself you can make. Our experts can make suggestions and discuss a treatment plan if needed. We also want to share what’s involved with each process, so that you’ll be informed. Below are the three types of chemical peels that our facility offers.

Light or Superficial Skin Peels

These are applied to the top skin layers and are mostly made with Alpha Hydroxy Acid. This is a gentle peeling agent that controls oil production. Other ingredients used in light chemical peels are glycolic acid, maleic acid, or salicylic acid. These are recommended for light or mild cases of acne, discoloration, and very fine lines.

Light peels are popular because there’s no recovery time and the side effects are minimal. Most of our clients may experience dryness or light sensitivity but many resume their normal day after treatment. This is usually the best option if it’s your first time getting a chemical peel treatment.

Medium Peels

These go beneath the skin’s surface and often use salicylic or trichloroacetic acid or TCA. As the strengths may vary, some formulas can only be administered by a medical professional. This is best for treating acne scars, hyperpigmentation, or sun-damaged skin.

Medium peels often require downtime, as most of our clients experience itchiness, redness, and swelling after a session. However, these mild cases usually go away after the first week or two after treatment. Depending on the severity, more than one session may be needed.

Deep Peels

This is usually recommended when a light or medium peel doesn’t produce the best results. TCA or carbonic acid is normally used in cases of severe scarring, wrinkles, or other issues. This is also the only chemical peel treatment that requires preparation.

These require that clients are sedated and a local anesthetic is used to relax the skin. Side effects include flaking, redness, and swelling, which can last for up to two weeks. Being this treatment is the most intense, it’s not recommended for those with sensitive skin.

The best way to find out which treatment is best for you, contact Beaute Therapies Medical Spa today. Our experts are available by appointment and are happy to share their knowledge of each product. We work hard to be the best medical spa in West Palm Beach by making our clients happy with their new look.