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Are Home Chemical Peels As Effective As Professional Chemical Peels?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

Home chemical peels can be effective as some professional chemical peels. Chemical peels range in terms of the number of layers of skin that they remove, the amount of time that it takes to complete the treatment, and how long it takes for the skin to completely recover. A light chemical peel, which is made with alphahydroxy acids, requires very little recovery time and only removes a thin layer of skin from the face. Home chemical peels are almost always made with alphahydroxy acids, which can include acids derived from fruits, lactic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid.

These kinds of light home chemical peels are usually formulated in a way that is identical to the formulas of light chemical peels that are performed in spas, doctors' offices, and dermatologists' offices. The application instructions are most likely also quite similar to the treatment techniques that an aesthetician, doctor, or dermatologist would use. As such, it is common for results of these kinds of at home chemical peels to be just as effective as the light chemical peels that are used in professional settings. It is important to follow the instructions perfectly and use a high-quality product.

Light chemical peels can be used to treat acne.
Light chemical peels can be used to treat acne.

When it comes to medium chemical peels and deep chemical peels, it is impossible for home chemical peels to compete. These kinds of chemical peels use ingredients that are more abrasive to the skin. This is because they use stronger kinds of acids. A medium chemical peel is made with trichloroacetic acid and a deep chemical peel is made with phenol acid. It is recommended that these kinds of chemical peels only be performed in professional skin care settings by people who are trained to administer them and provide the people receiving the treatment with appropriate aftercare.

A light chemical peel can help to reduce the appearance and depth of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used to help clear up acne, especially the peels that are made with salicylic acid. Home chemical peels can be a great way to keep the skin looking young and fresh. For more dramatic results, however, home chemical peels cannot compare to the kinds of chemical peels that can be administered by dermatologists and physicians. A medium chemical peel does basically what a light chemical peel does but to a higher degree. A deep chemical peel, on the other hand, has very dramatic results can can require weeks of recovery time.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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    • Light chemical peels can be used to treat acne.
      By: badmanproduction
      Light chemical peels can be used to treat acne.