Chemical Peel

It can seem at times that almost everything damages the skin, aging it and taking away its luster. Ohara Dermatology in Beverly Hills gives you options to reverse the hands of time and rejuvenate your skin. With rejuvenating treatments like a chemical peel, patients have a solution for addressing a variety of cosmetic skin concerns through safe and effective treatments. Headed by a board-certified dermatologist, our practice is known for treatments that help patients unlock radiant skin that they love.

A woman with captivating blue eyes and long eyelashes, reflecting the enhancements from neurotoxin treatment.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

Hearing the word “chemical” can sound worrisome at first, but this treatment is the opposite. It uses a carefully crafted solution designed to remove the upper, damaged layers of skin while encouraging the growth of the layers beneath. It effectively treats a range of concerns, from aging skin to discoloration, while boosting healthy skin growth for months to years. You can adjust the strength of the treatment to match the results you want to see.
  • Light Peel: Best for touch-up treatments and addressing mild signs of aging such as wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Also can address some acne concerns.
  • Medium Peel: Goes a little deeper, delivering more effective wrinkle removal, smoothing acne scars, and evening out your skin tone.

The Melanage Peel

Ohara Dermatology also offers a unique chemical peel option called the Melanage peel. Using a special solution, this peel is particularly suitable for addressing concerns related to skin pigmentation, especially melasma. The process is slightly different from a traditional chemical peel, but it provides impressive results, clearing up uneven skin tones with routine efficacy.

The Chemical Peel: At a Glance

  • Treatment Type: Non-surgical cosmetic
  • How Long It Takes: Between 20 and 30 minutes
  • Recovery Time: Couple of days to 2 weeks (varies with intensity)
  • Speed of Results: Initial results within about 1 week, full results gradually appear
  • Duration of Results: Months to over 1 year
  • Pain Level: Mild to medium (depends on peel intensity)

Is a Chemical Peel Right for Me?

A chemical peel can provide drastic improvements in evening out skin tone and pigmentation. It is highly popular for patients who experience stubborn melasma related to sunlight, pregnancy and hormonal changes, but it also works for a variety of skin concerns. When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Aivaz, you can have a skin examination and learn if this option is the right one for you. You can work with a leading, board-certified dermatologist to build your plan and have the peace of mind that you are receiving your ideal treatment modality.
A beautiful young woman with freckles on her face, showcasing her radiant skin after a chemical peel treatment.

Some signs a chemical peel is right for you include:

  • Having uneven skin tone or pigmentation or acne scarring
  • Your skin has lost its luster and texture
  • You want an easily tailored treatment
  • Having no current skin infections

What Is a Treatment Session Like?

Sessions can differ depending on the peel intensity and what body areas you want to treat (e.g., neck, face, hands). But Dr. Aivaz will go over your individual plan details ahead of time, so there will be no surprises. Depending on the peel intensity, there can be a mild burning sensation, but patients tend to report the treatment as being easily tolerated.
Treatment Session Overview
  • Step 1: Ensure your skin has no current infections or risk factors.
  • Step 2: Apply the chemical peel solution over the treatment area and let it take effect (usually about 10 to 20 minutes at a time).
  • Step 3: Repeat the process for each treatment area.

Does a Chemical Peel Have a Recovery Period?

The recovery from a chemical peel depends mostly on the intensity of the peel. Lighter peels may result in only a couple of days of redness and swelling, which is entirely normal. A more intensive, deeper peel can take about 1 to 2 weeks before the redness and swelling fade. While there is not necessarily any downtime needed, some patients prefer to take time off from work until they go back to their normal appearance.

Your Results: Duration and Quality

Chemical peel results can last between a few months to well over a year, depending on the concern treated. The treatment’s longest-lasting results are usually those of improved skin tone, with discoloration being smoothed away for a long time. Additionally, lighter peels tend to boost the skin for shorter periods than deeper peels, but the tradeoff is in the recovery period. Based on your discussion with Dr. Aivaz, she can build a plan that matches your lifestyle and provides results that endure.
What to Know About Results
  • Duration depends on the peel type
  • Prolong results with a healthy skin care routine
  • Some results can be permanent (e.g., acne scar removal)
  • Touch-up treatments help prolong results and are fast and easy
Dr Ohara Aivaz holding certificate of Los Angeles Top Doctors 2021

Book Your Consultation

As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Ohara Aivaz is proud to deliver skin rejuvenation care that delivers on its promises. Her approach to chemical peels allows her to help patients address stubborn skin concerns with a safe, effective solution. To start building your chemical peel treatment plan, reach out to our office for your consultation. Start on a path toward seeing radiant, even-toned, refreshed skin today.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Chemical peels use a cosmetic chemical solution to exfoliate and remove the outer layer of skin, thereby improving the texture and appearance of your skin.

Chemical peels can be performed at various depths and strengths, depending on your specific skin concerns and goals. Light chemical peels treat the superficial layers of the skin, while strong chemical peels penetrate deeper into the skin’s surface. Dr. Aivaz uses a variety of different chemical peels to address her patient’s concerns.

  • Melasma
  • Acne
  • Acne scars
  • Blemishes and pigmentation
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Uneven skin texture and tone
  • Sun damage
  • Certain precancers called actinic keratoses
  • Freckles and sunspots
  • Dull complexion

Areas that can be treated include, but are not limited to:

  • Face
  • Neck
  • Chest
  • Arms
  • Hands
  • Buttocks
  • Back

Before treatment, you will have a consultation with Dr. Aivaz to discuss your concerns and desired outcomes. During this consultation, Dr. Aivaz will examine you and ask questions about your medical history to ensure you are a candidate for treatment.

Before your treatment, your skin will be cleansed and prepped. During the treatment, the chemical solution will be applied to your skin and left to penetrate for a certain amount of time before it is neutralized or removed. You may experience a slight tingling sensation on the skin as the peel takes effect.

After the treatment, your skin may be red, and most people experience some peeling or flaking for up to one week. This process can help to improve the texture and tone of the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve the appearance of acne scars and uneven skin tone.

Depending on the treatment area and goals, anywhere between 1-5 sessions are needed, and these are spaced every 4-8 weeks.
Chemical peels have an excellent safety record in Dr. Aivaz’s hands and she hand-selects the chemical peel specifically for each patient to minimize risk of serious side effects such as skin pigmentation or scarring.
  • TCA cross
  • Jessner’s
  • Jessner’s + TCA
  • Perfect Derma Peel (with or without a booster)
  • Salicylic acid
  • Glycolic acid
  • Melanage Peel