Chemical peels have been used for centuries to improve the appearance of the skin. The practice of using chemicals to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where people would use sour milk and honey to remove dead skin cells and brighten their complexion.

In the 19th century, a French chemist named Eugene Schueller, developed the first modern chemical peel. He used phenol, a strong acid, to remove the top layers of the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.

Today, there are several different types of chemical peels available, each with their own unique benefits and uses.

• Superficial peels, also known as lunchtime peels, use mild acids such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) or low percentage TCA to gently exfoliate the skin and improve the appearance of fine lines, acne, and uneven pigmentation. Interested in trying a AHA and BHA at-home peel? Try the Dermatologist's Choice Glycolic Peel Cleansing  Pads or Dermatologist's Choice TCA Advanced Peel Solution.

• Medium peels, such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels, penetrate deeper into the skin to address more severe signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sun damage. Now you can achieve a successful extra strength superficial TCA peel in your home with the repeated use of Dermatologist's Choice TCA Advanced Peel Solution.

• Deep peels, such as phenol peels, penetrate the deepest layers of the skin and are used to treat severe wrinkles, precancerous growths, and age spots. These are done at a Dermatologist office and patients are hooked up to a heart-rate monitor.

Chemical peels can be used to improve a wide range of skin concerns, including acne, uneven pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring. They can also be used to improve the overall texture and tone of the skin.

Clinical studies have shown that chemical peels can be effective in improving the appearance of the skin. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that a series of TCA peels improved the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in participants. Another study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that a series of glycolic acid peels improved the appearance of acne in participants.

It's important to note that chemical peels can cause side effects such as redness, peeling, and flaking. However, some redness, dryness, and irritation is completely normal and a positive sign the acid is entering the pores as it should to exfoliate the skin. Chemical peels can be performed by a trained skincare professional but nowadays you can safely achieve a chemical peel at-home with skincare products like Dermatologist's Choice, these products are dermatologist tested for safety and efficacy. It's also important to use sun protection to avoid sun damage after a chemical peel.

In conclusion, chemical peels have a long history of being used to improve the appearance of the skin. Today, there are several different types of chemical peels available, each with their own unique benefits and uses. Chemical peels can be effective in improving a wide range of skin concerns and it's important to use sun protection after a chemical peel.

References:

• Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, "Trichloroacetic acid peels for the treatment of wrinkles and skin pigmentation"
• International Journal of Dermatology, "A randomized trial of glycolic acid peels in the treatment of melasma in dark-skinned women"