Chemical Peels Specialist

Mill Valley Dermatology

Dermatologists & Cosmetic Dermatologists located in Mill Valley, CA

If you’ve ever wished that you could strip imperfections right off the surface of your skin, a chemical peel can help you do just that. At Mill Valley Dermatology in Mill Valley, California, board-certified dermatologist Haydee Knott, MD, skillfully performs all chemical peels herself to deeply exfoliate your skin. For more information about available chemical peels, call Mill Valley Dermatology or book an appointment online today.

Chemical Peels Q&A

What are chemical peels?

Chemical peels are in-office exfoliative skin treatments. You can get them on your face, chest, hands, or other areas where your skin looks less than perfect and could use a pick-me-up. 

During a chemical peel, Dr. Knott meticulously applies a chemical agent to your skin and supervises you as the chemicals remove the upper layers of your skin. When she removes the chemical solution from your skin, it removes the dead and damaged skin cells to reveal a fresh and healthy new surface. 

The treatment abilities of your chemical peel largely depend on the type of peel you get. Some peels are gentle with subtle results, while others reach deeper layers for a more drastic improvement. You can get a chemical peel to reduce or remove:

  • Small scars
  • Fine lines
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Dark spots
  • Melasma
  • Redness
  • Dry skin
  • Sun damage

Dr. Knott helps you define your treatment goals to select the appropriate type of chemical peel for your case. 

What are my options for chemical peels?

To meet your individual needs, Dr. Knott offers several different chemical peels. Your options include:

The Perfect Derma Peel™ 

The Perfect Derma Peel doesn’t require any pretreatment preparation. It includes high-quality ingredients and can treat aging skin, acne scars, and dull or tired skin. It improves both the tone and texture of your skin.

Superficial peel

A superficial peel, or lunchtime peel, uses salicylic acid to fight oily skin, acne, and acne scars. Dr. Knott typically recommends a series of three superficial peels for the best results. 

Moderate peel

A moderate peel uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to remove deeper layers of skin than a superficial peel. It works well against small injury scars, acne scars, and various forms of skin discoloration. 

How long does it take to recover after a chemical peel?

Your recovery time after a chemical peel depends on the type of peel you get. The Perfect Derma Peel requires about a week of recovery and at least 10 days off retinoids. 

A superficial peel often doesn’t require any downtime. You can go about your day after your peel with minimal redness, though your skin might look temporarily lighter or darker than normal. 

A moderate peel requires about the same amount of recovery time as The Perfect Derma Peel, but you only need to stop using retinoids for seven days after your treatment.  

To explore your chemical peel options further and find out if you’re a candidate, call Mill Valley Dermatology or book an appointment online today.