Chemical Peels

Our Approach

A chemical peel is not a standardised treatment.

Depending on active ingredient and intensity, a peel can act very superficially or trigger significantly stronger skin reactions. What matters, therefore, is not treating as intensively as possible. The strength of treatment needs to suit the skin and the desired result.

The strongest peel is not automatically the best. What matters is the right intensity for the respective skin.

Which Skin Is Suited to Chemical Peels?

Depending on composition, chemical peels can be used for different skin needs. These include, for example:

• A dull or uneven complexion
• Superficial keratinisation
• Blemish-prone skin
• Increased sebum production
• Enlarged-looking pores
• Irregular skin texture
• Selected superficial pigment changes
• Fine lines
• Sun-related skin changes

Not every one of these changes needs the same type of peel. The indication determines active ingredient and intensity.

How Does a Chemical Peel Work?

In a chemical peel, selected active ingredients are applied to the skin in a controlled way.

These influence the bonds between superficial skin cells and can thereby trigger targeted exfoliation. Depending on active ingredient and concentration, different skin layers are reached. During the subsequent recovery phase, the treated skin surface renews itself. The visible result develops over different periods, depending on intensity.

Different Peel Depths

Chemical peels differ in their depth of action.

Superficial peels can be associated with comparatively short recovery time and are particularly suited to controlled exfoliation and improvement of the superficial skin appearance. More intensive peels generate a stronger skin reaction and require correspondingly more recovery time.

Not every skin is suited to every treatment depth. Skin type, pigmentation, sensitivity, and treatment goal, therefore, need to be considered together.

Peels for Blemish-Prone Skin

For increased sebum production, keratinisation, and selected forms of blemish-prone skin, certain peeling active ingredients can make sense.

They can help exfoliate the skin's surface and reduce keratinisation. For pronounced inflammatory acne, however, it must first be assessed whether medical treatment is required. A cosmetic peel does not replace necessary dermatological therapy. Where structural changes remain following acne, these can be separately assessed under scars & acne scars.

Peels for Pigmentation

Certain superficial pigment changes can be influenced by suitable peels.

First, however, it must be clarified what form of pigmentation is present. Not every pigmentation responds the same way, and treatment that is too intensive can itself trigger pigment shifts, particularly with corresponding predisposition. For more pronounced or clearly defined changes, a targeted treatment under pigmentation & pigment spots can be more sensible.

Chemical Peel or HydraFacial?

A HydraFacial combines cleansing, extraction, exfoliation, and hydration.

With a chemical peel, the controlled effect of selected chemical substances on skin renewal is more of a focus. Where cleansing and hydration are the main goal, HydraFacial can make sense. Where keratinisation, skin renewal, or an uneven complexion are more of a concern, a chemical peel can be more suitable.

Chemical Peel or Microneedling?

Microneedling generates a mechanical regenerative stimulus through controlled micro-channels.

Chemical peels, by contrast, work through the targeted effect of selected substances on defined skin layers. For superficial keratinisation and selected changes to the complexion, a peel can be a focus. For structural skin changes, fine lines, or selected scars, microneedling can be more of a focus. Both techniques can fulfil different roles within a long-term skin concept.

Chemical Peels & Laser

For more pronounced structural or pigmented changes, laser-based techniques can represent an alternative.

Laser skin resurfacing, for example, allows for controlled treatment of defined skin layers for structural and selected age-related changes. For clearly defined pigmentation & pigment spots, pigment-targeted technologies can make sense.

Peel and laser, however, should not be uncritically combined. The skin needs sufficient time to regenerate between more intensive treatments.

Preparation

Before a chemical peel, the skin is assessed.

Current skincare, active ingredients used, previous treatments, sun exposure, and individual sensitivity are relevant here, among other things. Certain active skincare products may need to be paused before a more intensive treatment. The specific preparation depends on the type and depth of the planned peel.

The Treatment

The skin is first prepared and cleansed.

The selected peeling active ingredient is then applied in a controlled way. A feeling of warmth, tingling, or burning can occur, depending on the substance used and intensity. Exposure time and further treatment are guided by the respective peel. Finally, the skin is cared for and protected accordingly.

Recovery & Downtime

Recovery time depends significantly on the intensity of the peel.

Following superficial treatments, the skin can be only slightly red or more sensitive. With more intensive peels, dryness, a feeling of tightness, and visible flaking can occur. This skin reaction is part of the controlled renewal process. The skin should be treated especially gently during this phase.

Sun & Skin Protection

Following a chemical peel, the skin can be temporarily more sensitive to UV radiation.

Consistent sun protection is therefore an important part of aftercare. Strong sun exposure should also be avoided before more intensive peels. This is particularly relevant for skin types prone to pigment shifts.

One Treatment or Several Sessions?

Whether a single treatment or a series makes sense depends on skin condition and the peel used.

Superficial peels can be repeated at suitable intervals. With more intensive techniques, longer recovery phases can be necessary. For this reason, treatment is not planned according to a rigid scheme. The skin's response is decisive.

Result

Once recovery is complete, the skin can appear smoother, clearer, and more even.

The extent of change depends on the starting situation, active ingredient, and treatment depth. A chemical peel can improve skin quality but does not change every structural or pigmented skin change.

Controlled skin renewal does not mean removing as much skin as possible. It means choosing exactly the intensity that makes sense for the desired result.

Long-Term Skin Quality

Chemical peels can be used as a single treatment or as part of a longer-term skin concept.

Daily skincare and sun protection play an important role between treatments. Within medical cosmetics, depending on skin condition, HydraFacial, microneedling, or individually coordinated medical facial treatments can also make sense. Where the skin changes, the treatment concept can also be adapted.

Consultation

Before a chemical peel, we assess skin type, skin condition, and the desired treatment goal at Clinic Selnau in Zürich.

We decide which type and intensity of peel suits the respective skin, and what recovery time can be expected. Where more pronounced pigmentation, scars, or structural skin changes exist, we check whether a treatment from skin & laser is more sensible or a suitable complement.

We discuss preparation, skincare, sun protection, possible skin reactions, and sensible treatment intervals.

The aim is not the most intensive peel. It is a controlled skin renewal that suits the skin and the desired result.