Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels Overview

Treats: Various skin concerns, including aging symptoms, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, irregular skin texture, and enlarged pores

Length: 1-2 hours

Anesthesia: Awake for deeper peels, no anesthesia for superficial peels

In/Outpatient: Outpatient

Side Effects: Flaking, peeling, skin redness after the peel

Risks: Deeper peels have a rare risk of infection, scarring and pigmentation irregularities if they are not performed correctly

Recovery: No downtime after superficial peels, 3-7 days for medium and deep peels

Duration of Results: Superficial peels should be repeated regularly to maintain results, deep peels offer long-lasting improvement

Remarkable Results, Exceptional Care

Testimonial

“Went to Dr Kulbersh for advise on fine lines & wrinkles. He recommended Dysport & TCA peel. Tried to Dysport with great results – no heavy eyelids or side effects (unlike previous experience with Botox from another practice). Will try several chemical peels before TCA. Dr Kulbersh very honest & thorough. Thank you!”

-Shannon C, RealSelf

 

Doctor Kulbersh is checking the patient's face while she is looking in the mirror to see the results of the chemical peel treatment in charlotte, NC.

Has your skin lost its glow? If you look in the mirror and see dull, dry skin, a chemical peel at Carolina Facial Plastics in Charlotte, NC might be the perfect treatment for you!

The top aesthetic destination of the south, Carolina Facial Plastics, is led by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh. With his team of cosmetic experts, a fully accredited surgery center, and a private recovery retreat all located in the heart of SouthPark, Carolina Facial Plastics is known for unparalleled and natural-looking results exclusively for the face.

Two images comparing face of a woman before and after she received a chemical peel, Charlotte, NC.

Chemical skin peels are a great solution to improve and smooth the texture of your skin. All peels work by removing a layer of damaged skin. Superficial or light peels remove only the top layer, which is mostly dead skin. As the peel increases in strength, deeper layers of skin are removed. After the skin is removed, the body produces new healthy skin cells, leaving your face looking healthy and rejuvenated. At Carolina Facial Plastics, our medical aesthetician, Terri Edson, has performed over 10,000 chemical peels.

Two images showing an old patient with more glowing skin with less wrinkles after chemical peel in charlotte, NC.

A peel can be applied to the face, neck, chest, and hands and can improve the following:

  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Discoloration of skin – brown spots, sun spots, and uneven pigmentation
  • Dull or rough skin
  • Superficial acne
  • Pimples and blackheads

Learn more about chemical peels here.

Before and After photos, chemical peel in charlotte, NC.

Carolina Facial Plastics offers a variety of chemical peel formulas and strengths:

Superficial/Mild Peels

  • Alpha-hydroxy Acid – Contain glycolic acid and are the mildest peel formulas. These peels are great for a patient who only needs a light peel to improve their skin tone.
  • Beta Hydroxy Acid – Uses salicylic acid to exfoliate the superficial layer of your skin. Removing the top layer of damaged and dead skin cells will refine your skin’s texture and tone.

Medium Peels

  • Jessners Peel – Formulated with resorcinol, lactic acid, and salicylic acid to penetrate and exfoliate the skin cells. It is excellent for all skin types.
  • Retinoic Acid Peel – Derived from retinoids and provides a deeper peel.

Deep Peels

  • Trichloroacetic Acid – Stronger formula allows for the treatment of more advanced signs of aging. It requires more downtime but provides dramatic, long-lasting results.

Depending on your needs, Dr. Kulbersh or Terry will determine which peel strength will benefit your skin the most. The more damaged the skin, the stronger the peel needed to produce an optimal result. In general, stronger peels require a longer recovery but also provide longer-lasting improvements in the skin.

Image of two bottles of Glowbiotic nourishing peels for healthy skin offered by Dr. Kulbersh in Charlotte, NC.

Glowbiotics MD is an advanced skincare line and the first skincare line to feature topical probiotic bioactives.  Rather than exfoliating the skin’s top layers, probiotic treatments work from the inside out with no peeling, redness, or downtime. You may see instant results right after your treatment and long-term benefits going forward.

The Probiotic Youthboost Treatment is the cornerstone of the Glowbiotics MD program. This treatment treats age-related conditions such as wrinkles, dull complexion, dark pigment, and skin laxity. The long-term benefits of receiving a PYB treatment every 4-6 weeks can be volumizing, lifting, and brightening. There is no downtime after treatment because the peel works from the inside out. The more treatments you get, the healthier and better your skin can look.

The Probiotic Nourishing Peel treats conditions like rosacea and acne-prone skin and is safe for sensitive skin. This peel is recommended as a baseline or a “first-time” peel. The benefits of this peel include brighter, more even skin tone and less redness and inflammation. The treatment can also detoxify, add volume, and hydrate your skin with anti-bacterial and anti-microbial action.

Image of VI-Peel, a peel for face offered in Charlotte, NC by Carolina Facial Plastics

The VI Peel® is one of our favorite facial peels offered at Carolina Facial Plastics. The VI Peel contains a blend of powerful ingredients suitable for all skin types. This is a moderate strength chemical peel that provides the following benefits:

  • Improve dark spots and hyperpigmentation issues, such as melasma
  • Improve skin tone by improving the clarity of the skin and reduce pore size
  • Stimulate skin turnover to produce firmer and clearer skin
  • Help control acne breakouts
  • Treat symptoms of mild to moderate rosacea
  • Softens skin textures and reduces the appearance of fine lines
  • Stimulates the production of collagen and elastin

Vi peels are unique because they are safe to perform on all skin types, including Caucasians, African Americans, and Asians. Vi Peels can be used on the chest, arms, back, legs, elbows, knees, hands, and feet.

Vi peels are customized depending on the patient’s skin condition and goals. There are various additives used with the Vi peel to customize it for each patient. For example, the ingredients for a Vi peel for hyperpigmentation will be different than a Vi peel for acne-prone skin. A Vi Peel is a great option for patients seeking to improve the skin tone, texture, and quality.

This is a great first-time peel for patients of all ages who want fresh, healthy, radiant skin.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels are deep peels (20-35% TCA) to improve the most damaged skin. This strong peel can treat more advanced pigmentation changes such as brown spots and age spots. In patients who have many fine lines and wrinkles, a TCA peel can offer dramatic improvements. With this deeper facial chemical peel, a patient may experience significant peeling for about five days to a week. TCA peels are commonly used during a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of damaged skin. Once the skin has healed, it may be smoother, radiant, and glowing.

Image of SkinCeuticals MicroPeel also known as micropeel in Charlotte, NC.

SkinCeuticals MicroPeel

Often referred to as the “Lunch Hour Peel,” the SkinCeuticals MicroPeel is a three-step procedure combining exfoliation via dermaplaning, chemical peel solution, and cryogenic therapy. It may be customized to accommodate all skin types, including those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. MicroPeel is ideal for patients looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, laxity, dullness, and skin imperfections.

AlphaRet Professional Peel System 30 by SkinBetter Science

This chemical peel is ideal for patients with mildly photodamaged skin, including early signs of aging and pigment changes, and it has been shown to improve overall skin tone and texture. This chemical peel contains a patented retinoid (AlphaRet) + Triple Acid (glycolic, lactic acid, salicylic acid) formulation.

Smart TCA Peel by SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals, a leader in advanced skincare technology, announced the launch of its breakthrough 15% TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peel. This professional in-office chemical peel offers precise application with consistent delivery and predictable results that improve aging signs.

Dermatologist performing a procedure on a patient for healthy skin at Carolina Facial Plastics in charlotte, NC.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a superficial procedure used to exfoliate the skin manually. A precise blade is used to remove the top layer of dead skin cells and tiny vellus hair, also known as “peach fuzz.” The quick procedure is ideal before chemical peels because it allows the solutions to penetrate the skin during the treatment better.

Masks

A variety of masks are used in conjunction with chemical peels to customize the results for each patient. Masks can be used to treat rosacea, sensitive skin, acne, and more.

CO2

CO2, often referred to as “cryogenic therapy,” can be used in conjunction with many of our chemical peel procedures. It is an anti-microbial that reduces bacteria in the skin, tightens pores, and cools the skin after a chemical peel.

Doctor giving consultation to her patient at Carolina Facial Plastics in Charlotte, NC.

Superficial peels will create slight redness for about 24 hours, while deeper peels may take up to 7-10 days to finish peeling. The skin may be red for up to 2 weeks after a chemical peel.

Immediately after a Vi peel, the facial skin will be pink. On days 2-4 after a peel, the facial skin will peel, and new clear skin will be present on day 5 after the peel. After a peel, patients will be given a post-treatment package of facial cleansers and moisturizers to ensure a quick and safe recovery.

 

before and after images of a deep chemical peel in charlotte, nc.

Generally, stronger peels will have longer-lasting results. The longevity of the results is most dependent on how well the patient takes care of their skin after their peel. The skin will continue to age naturally. Good skincare with a sunscreen, collagen stimulator, and other medical grade products will help the skin stay beautiful. A patient should expect the results to last for several months with a mild peel and several years with a deep chemical peel.

To learn more about our chemical peel options, please call (704) 842-3644 or fill out an online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our skincare experts will review your skin quality and goals during a consultation and create a customize and comprehensive skincare plan.

Frequently asked questions

All peels can be performed in the office. To prepare the skin, you may receive a skincare program to use for a few weeks before your peel. At the beginning of the peel, the skin will be cleansed with an agent to remove excess oil and some dead skin. Then the peel solution will be applied to the treatment area. The strength, time, and type of peel vary for each patient. Some peels will be washed off, while others will be kept on.

Mild peels may sting briefly, while deeper peels may require medication to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.

Vi peels are overwhelmingly comfortable. Patients typically experience a tingling sensation that lasts for a few seconds. A Vi Peel is a wonderful treatment for patients that are not able to tolerate some pain with their procedure.

 

This depends on the quality of the skin and the goals of the patient. Healthier skin may only require one superficial peel. Skin with more damage may need 3-4 lighter treatments over the course of several months or may be treated with a single deep chemical peel.

Patients will see the improvement of their skin after a single Vi peel. Depending on the skin’s quality, patients may need to undergo a series of Vi peels to obtain the best result. On average, patients may require 2-4 peels. The peels would be performed every 4-6 weeks.

 

Makeup contains metals and contaminants. Heavy metal may deposit in the skin, causing discoloration of the skin. The contaminants may cause an infection or scarring if used before the skin has had adequate time to heal.

After a light chemical peel, makeup can be worn the next day. For deep chemical peels, the skin should be treated similarly to a wound. Makeup should not be applied until the skin has adequately healed. This is typically about 10 days after the deep peel.

For a superficial peel, you want to use a bland face wash without exfoliation or acid in it. Cetaphil and Dove are excellent choices. Dr. Kulbersh also recommends using a moisturizer at this time.

If a patient has a history of cold sores or the herpes virus around the mouth, they must take medications to prevent the virus’s re-occurrence. A chemical peel may cause an outbreak that can be prevented by these medications.

A Vi peel does not make the skin thinner. During a Vi feel, cells called fibroblasts are stimulated. This fibroblast makes new collagen and elastin and actually thickens the skin.

 

The cost of a chemical peel depends on the strength of the treatment that you need. To find out how much your chemical peel will cost, schedule a consultation with our office.

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Trained with the Top Plastic
Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Hear what Dr. Paul Nassif of Botched says about Dr. Kulbersh
Dr. Paul Nassif Hear what Dr. Paul Nassif of Botched says about Dr. Kulbersh

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