Medical Peel – What Is It and What Are Its Types?

To explain the term medical peel (also known as a chemical peel), we first need to look at the general definition of a peeling treatment.
Peeling refers to a skincare procedure designed to exfoliate dead skin cells, stimulate the skin’s natural renewal processes, and prepare it to better absorb active ingredients from subsequent skincare products.

Any method of exfoliating the skin — including the use of drugstore or pharmacy products — can be considered a peeling treatment.
Among the most popular are mechanical peels, which contain physical exfoliating particles.
However, mechanical peels are not the best solution for sensitive or couperose-prone skin, as they may cause irritation.
In such cases, enzymatic peels are recommended. They contain active ingredients that gently “dissolve” dead skin cells without mechanical friction.

In some skin conditions, drugstore or pharmacy peels may prove insufficient.
There are also certain skin types that benefit from undergoing professional treatments from time to time to regain their glow and achieve deep cleansing.
Medical peels, often referred to as chemical peels, belong to this group of professional treatments.

Why must these peels be performed by a professional?
Because they involve the use of acids, and both the type and concentration of the acids must be carefully selected based on the patient’s skin type and specific aesthetic concerns.
Additionally, medical peels often lead to more intense exfoliation effects, which typically appear a few days after the treatment. Patients must be properly instructed on how to care for their skin during the healing process.

A professional medical peel can be performed on almost every skin type.
The exceptions are patients with highly reactive, hypersensitive, or allergic skin.
In such cases, even a low concentration of active ingredients in a peeling solution may be unsuitable.

Here, a cosmetologist will usually recommend alternative exfoliation methods, such as gentle chemical peels based on lactic acid or azelaic acid, or a cavitation peel, which is ideal for sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

Medical peels using higher concentrations of active ingredients are particularly recommended for:

• oily skin with acne problems;
• patients looking for preventive anti-aging treatments;
• skin with visible fine lines and wrinkles;
• individuals seeking to reduce discolorations and pigmentation spots;
• skin with visible acne scars;
• seborrheic (oily) skin prone to blackheads and enlarged pores;
• skin with keratosis (thickened skin);
• dull and polluted skin;
• skin affected by stretch marks and/or cellulite;
• patients preparing for other cosmetology treatments.

Chemical peels differ mainly in the types of active ingredients applied to the skin during the treatment.
These ingredients are primarily acids, which may have exfoliating, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and brightening properties. In addition, different types of medical peels vary in the presence of ingredients that support the action of acids, as well as in the concentrations used — all of which must be carefully selected according to the patient’s individual needs. Among the most commonly used acids in cosmetology, which form the basis of medical peels, the following are worth highlighting:

• Ferulic acid – A powerful antioxidant that supports the protection of the skin against photoaging.
  Ferulic acid is frequently used in modern skincare products due to its ability to neutralize the negative effects of free radicals on the skin.
  This is crucial in anti-aging therapies because it helps protect collagen fibers, preventing skin sagging.
  Ferulic acid does not cause discomfort during application; patients do not experience burning or stinging sensations that are sometimes associated with other acids.

• Salicylic acid – A widely used substance in cosmetology, particularly for treating oily, congested, and acne-prone skin.
  Salicylic acid is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, exfoliating, and astringent properties.
  An important feature of salicylic acid peels is that patients should prepare their skin beforehand.
  It is recommended to incorporate a salicylic acid cream into the daily skincare routine to lower the skin’s pH to the desired level of 4.5.
  This preparation enhances the effectiveness of the peel, allowing visible results to appear more quickly.

• Mandelic acid – An acid that delivers noticeable treatment results while being gentle enough for sensitive and allergy-prone skin.
  Mandelic acid is used for patients with acne-prone skin, broken capillaries, fine lines, or age-related loss of density and firmness.
  Its exfoliating action occurs within the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin), where it loosens the connections between skin cells and the so-called intercellular cement.
  As a result, the dead skin layer is gently removed.
  It is recommended to perform a series of mandelic acid treatments to achieve more spectacular and longer-lasting effects.

• Azelaic acid – Classified as a mild acid, suitable for sensitive, allergy-prone, and even atopic skin.
  Azelaic acid has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
  Importantly, oily and acne-prone skin can also be highly reactive and sensitive to external factors.
  Therefore, azelaic acid peels are particularly recommended for patients with such skin types.
  Azelaic acid is also effective for treating redness-prone skin, reducing irritation, and lightening pigmentation and hyperpigmentation.
  For optimal results, treatments should be performed in a series, according to the cosmetologist’s recommendations.

The results of medical, or chemical, peels depend on several factors — primarily the specific needs of each patient’s skin. Still, the core goal of a chemical peel remains the same: to exfoliate the outer layers of the skin and reveal a healthier, brighter, and more radiant complexion underneath. Unlike at-home exfoliants, medical-grade peels work more deeply and intensively, stimulating the skin’s natural regeneration process. These professional treatments can noticeably smooth the skin’s texture, even out tone, reduce pigmentation and acne-related marks, and improve firmness and elasticity. They also help to minimize fine lines, shrink enlarged pores, and can even subtly enhance facial contours. Altogether, medical peels offer a highly effective, personalized approach to skin rejuvenation with visible, lasting results.

Professional chemical peels are highly versatile treatments that can address a wide range of skin concerns. However, they’re not suitable for absolutely everyone. It’s important to note that individuals with open wounds, broken skin, active cold sores, or fresh post-surgical scars should avoid undergoing a peel. Other contraindications include severe, inflamed acne, a high number of pigmented lesions, and a tendency to form keloid scars. Before beginning treatment, every patient consults with a qualified skin specialist who carefully assesses the skin’s condition and determines the most appropriate type and strength of peel. This personalized approach ensures both safety and effectiveness. Thanks to the expertise and high standards upheld by our team, the results often exceed expectations — delivering visibly refreshed, clearer, and healthier-looking skin.