Chemical peels for the body

While phenol peels are only suited for the face, other forms of chemical peels can be performed on various areas of the body including the neck, chest, arms, hands and legs.

For chemical peels of the body, a combination of glycolic acid (the primary ingredient of a superficial peel) and trichloroacetic acid (the primary ingredient in a medium-depth skin peel) are typically applied.  

These types of peels are essentially facilitated to address skin issues such as sun damage, and to even out and improve pigmentation and overall skin texture.

Chemical Peels for the body

Chemical peels can be conducted on various parts of the body to address a number of cosmetic issues. These are as follows:

Arms and legs

Chemical peels are normally applied to the arms and legs to eliminate sandpapery skin on the elbows and knees. They can also be used to improve sun damage / spots, freckles, and keratosis skin (tiny bumps or pimples that are actually dead skin cells plugging hair follicles), more commonly known as chicken skin.

Rough, scaly skin

If you would like treat the hands, elbows and knees to ensure a silky-soft result, a chemical peel that contains Trichloroacetic commonly knowns as TCA with a milder agent called AHA (Alpha Hydroxy acid) is recommended.. If you suffer from ingrown hairs in your bikini area, a bikini facial which is a type of peel containing lactic acid can assist you in this regard.

Body Acne

Body acne, commonly referred to as “bacne” (when it occurs on the back), can be an embarrassing condition for some, which more often than not results in some form of scarring. A chemical back peel using salicylic acid can help to unclog the pores which will result in clearing away unsightly pimples and blackheads.

Chest Wrinkles

Crepey skin, also known as elephant skin, is your body’s response to low levels of elastin and collagen-proteins that allow your skin to stretch and contract. Areas that are most susceptible to crepey skin are the shoulders, neck and chest. A chemical peel that contains a glycolic solution is usually recommended for these areas to achieve soft, supple and glowing skin.

Dark Spots

Acid peels containing hydroquinone do have a tendency to lighten a targeted area of the skin which could be used to improve pigmentation caused by hormones, senile pigmentation conditions, dark spots on your arms, legs, knees and back. People who generally have a darker coloured skin tone should opt to have a chemical peel done that contains a lightening agent such as those that have the ingredient hydroquinone in them.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, also known as striae, are a form of scarring in the middle layer of the skin (i.e. the dermis). These occur when the skin is torn or pulled as a result of rapid changes in the shape of your body, for example due to dramatic weight loss or weight gain or during pregnancy. Although the skin is fairly elastic, when it is overstretched, collagen is disrupted resulting in stretch marks forming.

A chemical peel will only rejuvenate the surface layer of the skin (i.e. the epidermis), and will not improve the appearance of your stretch marks or remove them.