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Autumn and winter are the prime seasons for peels. But do you know how chemical peels work and why they are so important for your skincare routine?
Let’s find out together!

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✅ First, let’s clarify for those new to the topic: a chemical peel is a procedure where special solutions containing various acids are applied to the skin.
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These acids exfoliate the outermost layer of skin to varying depths, depending on the strength and type of acid used. The results of each peel depend directly on the properties of the acids in its formula.
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As a result, pores are cleansed, and the controlled surface injury stimulates active regeneration and renewal of skin cells, ultimately boosting collagen and elastin production.
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✅ How do chemical peels work?
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Essentially, any acid causes a controlled superficial burn to the skin. Yes, that’s right—but don’t be alarmed!
In the case of a chemical peel, this is a carefully managed process, reaching the necessary depth. This controlled injury actually benefits the skin by triggering natural repair and renewal processes.
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The depth of a peel’s effect depends on the type of acid, its concentration, and the number of layers applied.
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✅ Benefits of chemical peels
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Thanks to their exfoliating effect, chemical peels reduce hyperkeratosis and remove dead skin cells, while stimulating the production of new, healthy cells. This means your skin renews itself more actively!
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Peels also stimulate the cells responsible for producing elastin and collagen fibers. Cellular metabolism increases, skin firmness and texture improve, and many peels have a brightening effect, helping to fade pigmentation and post-acne marks.

There are several types of chemical peels, depending on the strength of the acid used:
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✅ Superficial peels (affecting the uppermost stratum corneum).
These include mandelic, pyruvic, glycolic, and retinoic peels.
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They are used to correct fine lines, fresh pigmentation, and mild post-inflammatory marks.
Superficial peels are excellent for addressing early signs of biological and photoaging.
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A typical course consists of 6–10 superficial peels, spaced 7–10 days apart.
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For enhanced results, superficial peels can be combined with deeper peels in a treatment program. In this case, superficial peels serve as a preparatory stage, helping the skin adapt to more intensive medium and deep peels.
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✅ Medium-depth peels include TCA peels (trichloroacetic acid) and variations of the Jessner peel.
These target the epidermal layer, which may be affected by deeper wrinkles or scarring.
The epidermis is a deeper layer beneath the stratum corneum, which is the focus of superficial peels.
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The key feature of medium peels is that by acting on the epidermis, they stimulate more active cell division and the production of new skin cells, removing older, dead cells from the surface.
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A course usually includes no more than 3 medium peels, with 3–4 weeks between sessions. This is typically done once a year during periods of low sun activity—late autumn to winter.
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✅ Deep peels are the most intensive, as the solution penetrates the entire epidermis down to the basal membrane. An example is the phenol peel, which delivers long-lasting results after full skin recovery.
Deep peels are performed as a single treatment.
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☝️Important!
?Before medium and deep peels, it’s essential to prepare the skin with 2–3 superficial peels and incorporate home care products containing acids and retinol.
?After any chemical peel, always use a sunscreen with SPF 25–50 before going outdoors.

Author: Chief Physician of the clinic, Elena Alexandrovna