Chemical Peels – Types And Comparison
peel type chemical structure examples concentration range superficial or deep peel? benefits and safety
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) peels-glycolic acid peel and other AHA peels Glycolic acid = hydroxyacetic acid (HOCH2COOH) which is the smallest of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) A variety of fruit acids including Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid Glycolic Acid: 10%-70%Lactic Acid: 25%-55% superficial, light (stratum coneum, sometimes the epidermis) no downtime but it is common to have a brief period of redness, flaking and/or skin sensitivity after a peel.
poly-(lactic acid) peel poly-(2-hydroxypropanoic acid) = poly-[CH3CH(OH)COOH] which is a polymer of AHA N/A light
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) (e.g salicylic acid) salicylic acid peels= C6H4(OH)COOH which is one of the Beta Hydroxy Acid with a phenolic hydroxyl group salicylic acid salicylic acid: lower concentration range than glycolic acid superficial, light (stratum coneum, sometimes the epidermis) salicylic acid peel may help improve acne, works best on acne prone and sensitive oil skin types. Salicylic chemical peels are a perfect remedy for those who naturally have oily skin, severe acne (acne vulgaris), acne rosacea, cystic acne, body acne, clogged pores, whiteheads, and blackheads. Excellent deep pore cleaning abilities. particularly suited to acne prone skin and oily skin types.
TCA peel trichloroacetic acid (CCl3COOH) (TCA) trichloroacetic acid (CCl3COOH) (TCA) 8% to as high as 35% (by weight) or 12.5% -20% medium to deep (epidermis and upper dermis) The damage caused by the peeling agent induces a healing response and leads to a mild-to-moderate skin remodeling, thereby usually improves not only skin texture, but also fine lines and small wrinkles. Deeper wrinkles remain mostly unaffected. 7-10 days of downtime
carbolic acid (phenol) phenol (C6H5OH) (a six member aromatic ring with a hydroxyl group) phenol (C6H5OH) very deep (epidermis and dermis) improve medium-to-deep wrinkles, severe skin roughness and other advanced signs of skin aging. The degree of skin ablation, typical results, downtime and side effects of a deep peel are comparable to those of ablative laser resurfacing except deep (require close monitoring by physicians for application).
Combination Peel combination of AHA, BHA, and more Jessner Peel (14% Salicylic Acid, 14 % Lactic Acid, and 14% Resorcinol) light to medium (Jessner Peel)
Retin-A peel the acid form of vitamin A or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) C20H28O2 Retin A: C20H28O2 light (often used as a pretreatment before other deep acting peels and other skin resurfacing procedures)
liquid nitrogen (cryo peel) N2 not applicable
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