An Evidence-Based Overview

Chemical peels are widely used dermatological treatments designed to rejuvenate the skin by intentionally inducing controlled damage to the skin’s layers. This controlled injury triggers a healing response that ultimately improves skin texture, tone, and firmness. Understanding what chemical peels do to your skin requires insight into their mechanisms of action, biological effects, and the different types of peels available.

Mechanism of Action in Chemical Peeling

A chemical peel involves applying acidic or other caustic agents to the skin to destroy and exfoliate the damaged outer layers of the epidermis and sometimes the dermis. The extent of this controlled injury depends on the type and concentration of the chemical agent used, influencing the peel’s depth of penetration  superficial, medium, or deep.

This controlled damage removes the stratum corneum and leads to exfoliation of dead and damaged cells. Importantly, the injury stimulates the skin’s regenerative processes:

• Epidermal regeneration begins within 24 hours and usually completes in 5 to 10 days. New epidermal cells emerge with better organization and vertical polarity.

• Dermal remodeling unfolds over several months as collagen and elastin fibers reorganize, leading to firmer and more elastic skin.

• Melanin redistribution may also occur, helping reduce hyperpigmentation.

The regenerative response leads to improved skin texture, reduced pigmentation, and enhanced skin elasticity.

Biological Effects of Chemical Peels on Skin

1. Exfoliation and Cell Turnover
   Chemical peels break down the bonds between dead skin cells in the outer epidermis, effectively peeling them away. This accelerates cell turnover, revealing fresher, healthier skin underneath.

2. Stimulation of Collagen and Elastin Production
   As part of the healing process, fibroblasts in the dermis are stimulated to produce new collagen and elastin fibers proteins critical for skin firmness and elasticity. This effect is especially significant with medium to deep peels and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Melanin Modulation
   Peeling can redistribute melanin pigment, which helps in reducing visible pigmentation irregularities such as sunspots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

4. Improvement in Skin Texture and Tone
   Removal of damaged skin layers and enhanced dermal remodeling contribute to smoother, more radiant, and even-toned skin.

Types of Chemical Peels and Their Skin Effects

Superficial peels (e.g., glycolic acid, lactic acid) are safer with minimal downtime and primarily target epidermal irregularities. Medium-depth peels use agents like trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to stimulate more profound dermal remodeling. Deep peels, including phenol-based peels, provide dramatic skin resurfacing but require longer recovery and carry higher risk.

Safety and Side Effects

Because chemical peels cause controlled skin injury, side effects such as redness, peeling, swelling, or temporary pigmentation changes are common and expected during healing. The risk of complications, such as scarring or permanent pigment alterations, increases with deeper peels.

Summary

In essence, chemical peels induce a controlled chemical injury that exfoliates damaged skin layers and activates skin regeneration mechanisms. This leads to increased cell turnover, melanin redistribution, and dermal remodeling with enhanced collagen and elastin production. The result is smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin with improved texture, tone, and elasticity. The depth of peel dictates the intensity and duration of these effects, guiding treatment choice based on patient needs and skin type.

References

1. Rubin, A. I., & Gellman, R. (2023). Chemical peels: Background, indications, contraindications. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1829120-overview

2. Wellness, V. (2024, March 15). Science behind chemical peels: How they work on your skin. Visit Wellness. https://visitwellness.co/science-behind-chemical-peels/

3. Essential Spa. (2024, December 25). Chemical peels and their impact on skin elasticity. Essential Skin Spa. https://essentialskinspa.com/chemical-peels-and-their-impact-on-skin-elasticity/

4. Chahal, D., et al. (2022). Demystifying the mechanism of action of professional facial peeling. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 15, 1257–1267. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9787425/

5. Plastics Fella. (2025, June 4). Chemical peels: Classification, indications, & complications. The Plastics Fella. https://www.theplasticsfella.com/chemical-peels/

6. Alster, T. S., & West, T. (2015). Chemical peels for skin resurfacing. In StatPearls. NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547752/

7. Mayo Clinic. (2024, March 13). Chemical peel: What to expect. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/about/pac-20393473