Peels in Beverly Hills
Facial peels use a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers. It can be a great solution for fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage (a common problem in sunny California.) A chemical peel may also remove actinic keratosis (precancerous skin growths), soften acne scars, and even help control acne. In his Beverly Hills practice, board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. A.J. Khalil offers comprehensive solutions for both surgical and nonsurgical rejuvenation. Chemical peels are one of our most popular nonsurgical treatments.
Types of Chemical Peels
The three depths of chemical peels are:
Light Chemical Peels (AHAs)
Light peels using alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid) gently exfoliate the skin’s outer layer. They’re ideal for smoothing dry, rough texture, improving mild sun damage, and helping control acne. These peels may be repeated in a series and are often paired with lightening agents or used as a pre-treatment for medium depth peels.
Medium Chemical Peels (TCA)
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the most common medium-depth peel. It treats fine wrinkles, pigment issues, and superficial blemishes. TCA peels can treat the face, neck, or other areas, often with Retin-A or AHA as a pre-treatment. Skin heals with pigment-producing ability intact, but sun avoidance for several months is essential to prevent discoloration.
Deep Chemical Peels (Phenol)
Deep peels using phenol penetrate multiple skin layers to address more serious wrinkles, sun damage, or precancerous growths. They offer impressive results but come with increased risks, including possible scarring or pigment changes. Although not a replacement for a facelift, deep peels offer the most dramatic results and can potentially take years off the face. They’re a more intensive solution with longer recovery and higher sensitivity to sun exposure afterward.
Chemical Peels With Other Procedures
If you want even better results from your chemical peel, combining it with other treatments may help. Many of our Beverly Hills patients pair peels with other treatments. For example, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a remarkable rejuvenation treatment to improve skin tightness, firmness, texture, and brightness. Scheduling a peel ahead of time (allowing plenty of time to finish peeling) can help your skin prepare and absorb the PRP better. Or, after PRP treatments, we may recommend peels to help maximize your results after healing.
A chemical peel can also help smooth, brighten, and enhance your skin after healing from a facelift or other surgical procedure.
Chemical Peels for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin doesn’t mean you have to avoid chemical peels. Lighter peels with ingredients like lactic or mandelic acid can gently improve skin texture without causing major irritation. We can do a patch test first to ensure your skin responds well.
If you have a condition like rosacea, eczema, or frequent breakouts, let us know before scheduling your peel so we can ensure your comfort and safety. We may use cooling masks or calming serums afterward to reduce redness or dryness.
DIY Peels vs. Professional Treatments
At-home peels might seem like a good (and inexpensive) idea, but they can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. Store-bought products often contain lower acid levels, but even these can lead to burns or scarring when used too frequently or layered with the wrong products.
In contrast, professional treatments with our experts offer much stronger results without worries of skin damage.
What to Avoid Before and After a Peel
It’s important to avoid certain products before and after a peel. Our team provides detailed directions ahead of your treatment. Generally, this includes discontinuing retinoids, exfoliants, acne treatments, and harsh scrubs for at least a few days.
After your peel, skip anything with strong, active ingredients like vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid until your skin fully heals. Choose gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen. This helps your skin recover safely and reduces the risk of redness, peeling, or discomfort.
Schedule Your Chemical Peel in Beverly Hills, CA
Dr. Khalil is the leading Beverly Hills plastic surgeon for facelifts, breast surgeries, and body contouring procedures. We’re also proud to lead the pack in nonsurgical aesthetics like chemical peels, Botox, and dermal fillers, making us a true one-stop shop for all your appearance-related needs and goals. Call our office at 310-385-8601 to book a chemical peel today.
