Chemical Peels

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Honolulu, HI

Chemical Peels Honolulu, HI

A chemical peel, also known as chemical exfoliation, is a treatment that uses an acidic solution to elevate the appearance of your skin. (1) These treatments exfoliate the outermost layers of your skin to remove dead and damaged skin cells and stimulate the production of collagen. With a chemical peel, you can restore a clearer, more youthful complexion by addressing concerns such as visible aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, and more!

Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery is one of the leading aesthetic practices in Honolulu. Our team is led by Dr. Robert Peterson, a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience.

To start working with our team, please schedule a consultation online or call our office at (808) 944-8551.

Before and After Photos

Chemical Peel Before & After Patient #1173
Chemical Peel Before & After Patient #1173
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About Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are minimally invasive treatments that use different acidic solutions to resurface and rejuvenate the skin, enhancing its appearance and health. Chemical peels create controlled chemical reactions on the skin’s surface. (1) This stimulates your body’s natural collagen production, resulting in healthier, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin.

Chemical peels come in varying strengths to address numerous skin conditions. Each peel has a different pH level, application method, and treatment duration, allowing your specialist to customize your treatment with ease.

Chemical Peel Strengths

At Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery, we offer light, medium, and deep-strength peels to address a wide range of skin concerns and conditions. Your specialist can help you determine the most effective type of peel for your concerns during your consultation.

  • Light Chemical Peels: Light chemical peels create a mild reaction on the skin. Our specialist can administer these peels to address surface-level skin concerns, such as hyperpigmentation or mild texturing.
  • Medium Chemical Peels: Medium chemical peels can address more moderate skin conditions and concerns. These peels are suitable for correcting the appearance of hyperpigmentation, superficial acne scars, shallow wrinkles, and actinic keratosis.
  • Deep Chemical Peels: Deep chemical peels can correct more severe skin concerns and require the most downtime. Deep peels are effective for reducing severe facial scars or deep wrinkles. (2)

Benefits

Chemical peels offer significant benefits for anyone interested in revitalizing the appearance and texture of their skin. Several of these benefits include:

  • Youthful-Looking Complexion: This treatment can soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other visible signs of aging by enhancing your skin’s natural collagen production.
  • Reduced Breakouts: Chemical peels consist of different solutions that can each reduce the likelihood of acne flare-ups and pimples.
  • Improved Cellular Turnover: This treatment can remove layers of dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, revealing fresher, healthier skin.
  • Enhanced Clarity: Your specialist can perform this procedure to address pigmentation concerns such as freckles or sun spots, resulting in a brighter, more even complexion.
  • Softened Facial Scars: Chemical peels can reduce the appearance of acne, surgical, and traumatic facial scars by enhancing collagen production. This is an integral protein that preserves the elasticity, health, and appearance of your skin.
  • Personalized Treatments: Our specialists can tailor each peel according to your treatment goals and skin concerns. This ensures that the approach being used is the most effective for your needs.

Candidates

Chemical peels can effectively address a wide range of concerns on both lighter and darker skin tones, making most patients suitable candidates for this treatment. Chemical peels are especially effective for correcting or improving the appearance of:

  • Facial scarring
  • Melasma
  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Wrinkles
  • Fine lines
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Sun spots
  • Freckles
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Uneven skin texturing
  • Enlarged pores (2)

Anyone interested in receiving a chemical peel should be in good general health without any active infections or sensitivities that may affect their skin’s ability to heal. During your consultation, your specialist will assess your skin condition and quality to determine the most appropriate peel. Based on their assessment, you may qualify for one type of peel, but not the others.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, your specialist will meet with you one-on-one to confirm whether a chemical peel is right for you and which strength is most effective. They will also perform a physical evaluation to assess the condition and quality of your skin. Using these details, they will help you establish a personalized solution to achieving smoother, clearer skin.

To schedule this consultation, please submit our online contact form or call (808) 944-8551.

Preparation

Preparation is an essential part of any procedure, no matter how subtle or dramatic your treatment goals are. Once you have scheduled your appointment, your specialist will provide instructions to help you prepare for your chemical peel. These instructions may vary depending on the type of peel, but you can expect your specialist to direct you to:

  • Refrain from using any harsh, irritating, or acidic skincare products, such as exfoliants, retinoids, or other peels.
  • Avoid excessive or direct sun exposure when leaving the house.
  • Protect your skin by wearing plenty of sunscreen and moisturizer.
  • Arrive at your appointment with clean skin.

By following each given instruction, you can ensure a smooth treatment, quick recovery, and the best possible results.

Procedure

Chemical peels are in-office treatments that typically take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. This treatment does not require any anesthesia or numbing creams, but you may discuss using these if you are particularly sensitive.

Your specialist will begin your treatment by cleansing your skin to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities. They will then apply your chosen peel onto your face using a brush, gauze, or spatula. They typically apply the peel to the forehead and temples first, before progressing to the cheeks and chin. They will treat the skin around the eyes and mouth last, as these areas are more sensitive.

Your specialist will allow the peel to absorb into the skin for several minutes. You may feel a warm or tingling sensation as the peel resurfaces your skin. Your specialist will then apply a neutralizing serum to stop the effects of your treatment before rinsing your face.

Recovery

After your treatment, it is common to experience temporary redness or sensitivity in the treated areas. You may also notice a skin-whitening effect known as frosting, with the amount of frosting varying depending on the strength of your peel. (2) As your skin heals, it may peel or flake off. This is a natural part of your skin’s renewal process, and you will need to avoid picking or scratching at it. Your specialist will provide you with any additional instructions and guidance during your consultation.

Results

You will experience the full results of your treatment once your skin has fully healed. You will be able to enjoy improvements in the tone, texture, and firmness of your skin as your collagen levels elevate. You may also notice your skin becomes clearer and brighter, restoring a more refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.

Corresponding Procedures

Medical Grade Skincare

Maintaining a proper skincare routine is essential for preserving the results of your chemical peel, which is why we often recommend that our patients pair their treatment with our selection of medical-grade skincare. Medical-grade skincare features active ingredients that have been clinically proven to enhance skin health and appearance. These treatments offer more extensive benefits, and you may only obtain them through a physician.

At Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery, we offer products from IS Clinical, Obagi, Skinceuticals, SkinMedica, and Environ. An optimal skincare routine will help you preserve the results of your chemical peel.

To learn more about the other treatments we offer, please read our blog!

Cost of Chemical Peels in Honolulu, Hawaii

The cost of your chemical peel may vary depending on the details of your treatment plan. After your consultation, your specialist will provide you with a cost estimate.

To learn more about the cost of your customized peel, please call (808) 944-8551 or schedule a consultation online.

FAQ

What concerns can a chemical peel treat?

Chemical peels can effectively address several different skin conditions and concerns, including visible signs of aging, acne, acne scars, sun damage, age spots, hyperpigmentation, and more.

How will I know what depth of peel is right for me?

During your consultation, your specialist will assess your medical history and evaluate your skin to determine the most effective approach for you.

Are chemical peels safe for darker skin tones?

Yes, chemical peels are safe for darker skin tones.

How often can I receive a chemical peel?

The results of your chemical peel will vary depending on the extent of your treatment. Light peels may be repeated every several weeks, while your specialist may recommend receiving medium and deep peels once every several months or once a year.

Can I combine my chemical peel with another skin rejuvenation treatment?

Yes, you may combine your treatment with another. However, those who receive medium or deep peels may be recommended to wait for their skin to heal before receiving another treatment.

References

  1. Soleymani T, Lanoue J, Rahman Z. A Practical Approach to Chemical Peels: A Review of Fundamentals and Step-by-step Algorithmic Protocol for Treatment. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2018;11(8):21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6122508/
  2. Shireen Samargandy, Raggio BS. Chemical Peels for Skin Resurfacing. Nih.gov. Published October 29, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547752/#article-29107.s4