"I Didn't Peel"

One of the most common comments I hear from patients who have chemical peels is "I didn't peel." It is important to understand what a chemical peel is and does as well as its goals. Chemical peels remove the dead skin cells on the surface and stimulate cell turnover and collagen production. It can treat a variety of conditions and is appropriate for healthy and unhealthy skin alike. The goals of a peel are to address specific concerns, such as acne or fine lines. The goal is not to peel. Many people do not see visible peeling of the skin. This does not mean that they did not get results. In these situations the exfoliation is occurring, but at a microscopic level, so we do not see visible peeling. It is therefore important to take photographs before and after the procedure and compare them to see the results.