Chemical Peels: Phenol, Carbolic Acid, TCA, Alphahydroxy, Beta Hydroxy

Chemical peeling is a process whereby the skin (usually of the face) is subjected to minor chemical burning in order to make the skin healthier and younger looking. The way this works is when the skin is burned, it jump starts the healing process. So the skin is burned enough to trigger the immune and defense system but not enough that serious damage is done or that the rejuvenation only equalizes the damage.

The most intense peel is done with phenol. It so damages the skin that patients must avoid sunlight for several weeks, their faces remain burned looking for longer, and sometimes require anesthesia during the procedure. However, these last much longer than other peels and don