Chemical Peel

Chemical peels at Enhance Medical Center use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), glycolic acid, and phenol formulations to exfoliate and resurface the skin at varying depths. Superficial peels address dullness, fine lines, and mild pigmentation with no downtime; medium and deep peels treat moderate pigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring, and deeper texture irregularities with a recovery period of up to two weeks for deep phenol peels. All peel protocols are tailored to the patient's Fitzpatrick type and treatment goals.

Chemical peels at Enhance Medical Center span the full depth spectrum — superficial, medium, and deep — using a curated selection of peel agents matched to each patient's skin type, condition severity, and tolerance for downtime. Superficial peels use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) such as glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane) or lactic acid, and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) such as salicylic acid, at concentrations that penetrate only into the stratum corneum and upper epidermis. These peels accelerate epidermal cell turnover, removing the outermost dead skin layer to improve dullness, minor pigmentation, and superficial fine lines with no required downtime and a mild pinkness that resolves within hours. A series of four to six superficial peels spaced two to four weeks apart is typically recommended for cumulative improvement. Medium-depth peels use trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at concentrations of fifteen to thirty-five percent, penetrating into the papillary dermis to address moderate solar damage, persistent pigmentation, acne scarring, and fine to moderate wrinkles. TCA produces a frosting reaction on contact — a whitening of the skin surface as the protein in the upper dermis denatures — followed by a peeling and regeneration phase over five to seven days. The inflammatory stimulus drives fibroblast activation and new collagen production in the papillary dermis. Deep peels at Enhance use phenol-based formulations — the most potent chemical resurfacing option available — which penetrate into the reticular dermis to address deep wrinkles, severe solar keratoses, and significant acne scarring. Phenol peels produce the most dramatic resurfacing results but require the most careful patient selection (limited to Fitzpatrick types I–III due to permanent depigmentation risk in darker complexions), the most preparation, and up to two weeks of recovery as the skin regenerates fully. All chemical peels at the clinic are preceded by a skin assessment and a preparatory protocol — often including topical retinoids and hydroquinone for several weeks before the peel — to optimise the skin for treatment and reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.