Chemical Peels
Unprotected sun exposure, natural aging, and lingering acne scars can leave your complexion looking dull, uneven, or textured. At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, our experienced team provides custom chemical peels to safely exfoliate damaged skin cells and stimulate healthy cell turnover. Our practice brings board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and licensed aestheticians under one roof to deliver high-quality cosmetic treatments tailored to your unique goals.
Removes damaged skin cells to smooth rough skin, fade sun damage, and refine fine lines and wrinkles.
Light chemical peel, medium chemical peel, and deep chemical peel options customized to your skin color and needs.
Ranges from minimal skin flaking (1 to 3 days for light peels) to 14 days (for deep chemical peels).
Treats actinic keratosis, reduces acne scars, and smooths uneven skin tone.
Chemical peels are popular cosmetic procedures designed to exfoliate the top layers of damaged tissue and promote the growth of smoother, healthier new skin. During treatment, a precise chemical solution is applied to the treatment area, causing controlled peeling that sheds dead skin cells and reveals vibrant tissue underneath.
Depending on your aesthetic goals, skin type, and the depth of correction needed, your provider will select from three main types of chemical peels:
On the day of your treatment in our doctor's office, our team ensures your skin is thoroughly cleansed and prepped. For a light or medium peel, the chemical solution is applied evenly across the treated areas using a brush or sponge. You may experience a warm stinging sensation as the active acids work to dissolve dead skin cells.
During deeper chemical peel applications, local anesthesia or sedation may be used to keep you comfortable. Cool compresses are applied to the skin immediately after treatment to soothe the treated areas. Depending on the depth of the peel type, your provider will apply protective ointments before you leave.
A medium-depth chemical peel designed to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, texture, and clarity. Treatment includes a post-care kit for continued care at home.
A superficial chemical peel clinically shown to improve the appearance of fine lines and dullness associated with photodamage. Recommended for patients incorporating SkinBetter Science® skincare into their regimen.
Custom chemical peels are versatile cosmetic treatments that address a broad spectrum of skin conditions:
Chemical peels are most frequently applied to the face, neck, chest, and hands to reverse visible sun damage.
Chemical peels provide non-surgical skin rejuvenation that fundamentally improves your overall skin quality.
Smoother Texture and Fewer Lines
Exfoliating damaged layers promotes a firmer surface with fewer lines, refined pores, and a noticeably softer feel.
Tailored Treatment Strengths
From gentle superficial peels to transformative deep peels, treatments are fully customized to achieve your desired results on your timeline.
Good candidates are patients in good health seeking to improve skin texture, fine wrinkles, or uneven pigmentation. However, proper care must be taken regarding skin color and history. Patients prone to cold sores or herpes outbreaks may need a preventive antiviral medication prior to treatment.
Those with active skin infections, active allergic reaction flares, or individuals taking specific medications like isotretinoin should avoid chemical peels until cleared. Darker skin types require precise chemical selection to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or temporary or permanent change in skin color.
Recovery depends entirely on the strength of your peel:
Proper skin care and strict avoidance of sun exposure are vital after any peel. You must apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, avoid picking at flaking skin, and use gentle moisturizers as directed by your dermatologic surgeon or provider.
Once treated areas heal and peeling completes, you will reveal noticeably brighter, smoother new skin with a more uniform skin tone.
Light chemical peels offer subtle enhancements that build over a series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Medium and deep peels deliver a dramatic improvement in deeper wrinkles and severe sun damage, with results lasting for months or even years. Maintaining a dedicated medical-grade skin care routine and shielding your face from UV exposure will help sustain your vibrant, glowing outcome.
At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, your chemical peel is performed under the guidance of board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and credentialed medical providers. This ensures your treatment is selected safely for your unique skin type. We deliver warm, approachable care that puts your comfort and safety first.
During your personal consultation, your provider evaluates your skin type, degree of sun damage, and available downtime to recommend whether a light peel, a medium chemical peel, or an alternative like laser resurfacing is best for you.
Light chemical peels typically cause only a mild, temporary stinging sensation. Medium and deep peels produce more warmth and intensity, but topical numbing agents, cool compresses, or pain management are utilized to ensure comfort.
After a light chemical peel, most patients can wear makeup within 24 hours. Following a medium or deep peel, you must wait until the outer layer of skin has fully healed and re-epithelialized, usually 7 to 14 days.
If you have a history of oral herpes, a chemical peel can trigger cold sores. Our providers routinely prescribe a short course of antiviral medication before your appointment to help prevent outbreaks.
The cost of a chemical peel depends on the peel depth and whether it is performed as a standalone service or as part of a package series. Our team provides transparent pricing details during your consultation.
