Chemical Peels: A Must Have Armamentarium

Chemical peeling is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in any aesthetic practice, for the controlled breakdown of a part or the entire epidermis (with or without the dermis), leading to exfoliation and removal of the superficial layer of the skin. This leads to regeneration of new epidermal and dermal tissues. A chemical peel is a versatile tool in a cosmetologist’s armamentarium which is simple to use and is result oriented. It is also perhaps the most lucrative procedure for any physician; hence, becoming one of the most commonly practiced cosmetic procedures by any new practitioner. Treating various skin types can however be challenging due to the unpredictability of peels, especially when using deep chemical peels or higher concentration peels on darker skin types. Although, various parameters such as time, concentration and erythema are taken into consideration for safety purposes, the methods and procedures vary slightly depending upon the physician’s expertise in the procedure. Having performed more than 6000 chemical peels, this article is based on my practical experience and knowledge about chemical peeling, especially on darker skin types.