CHEMICAL
PEEL
What is a Chemical Peel and How Does It Work?
A chemical peel is a professional skincare treatment that uses a carefully formulated chemical solution to exfoliate and remove damaged outer layers of skin. This controlled process reveals smoother, fresher, and more youthful skin underneath. Also known as chemexfoliation or derma-peeling, it’s one of the most effective ways to address common skin concerns like sun damage, aging, acne, and uneven tone—especially relevant in sunny Southern Arizona.
Chemical peels have been used for decades and remain popular because they deliver noticeable results with customizable depths and minimal invasiveness when performed by trained professionals.
At Reve Medical Aesthetics, we use ZO Skin Health® Peels to deliver results that you can see!
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Chemical peels start at $150 for the Stimulator Peel by ZO Skin Health® for the first area and progress upwards in price depending on the depth of peel and the number of areas that are treated.
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Results from a chemical peel appear in stages, depending on the peel depth (superficial/light, medium, or deep), your skin type, and how well you follow aftercare—especially important in Southern Arizona’s intense sun. Our patients notice an instant “glow” or tighter, brighter feel immediately after their treatment. At around 3-7 days after your peel, e old skin sheds, revealing fresh, smoother skin underneath, Most of our patients see visible improvements in texture, brightness, and even tone by the end of the first week.
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Yes, there is some downtime after a chemical peel. The amount of downtime depends on the depth of the peel (superficial, medium, or deep), your skin’s sensitivity, and how well you follow aftercare instructions. In Southern Arizona’s dry, sunny climate, proper protection during recovery is especially important to protect new skin and achieve the best results. For all peels, your skin will be sensitive to the sun and strict protection will be required for several days to weeks.
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Avoid retinoids, exfoliants, and sun exposure for 1–2 weeks before your treatment. Always disclose medications and medical history when you are filling out your pre-treatment forms as there are contraindications that would tell us that you might need an alternative treatment.
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Chemical peels are versatile and effective for many people, especially those dealing with sun damage, aging, or texture issues common in Southern Arizona’s harsh desert sun. The best candidates are generally healthy adults who want noticeable skin improvements and are committed to proper aftercare.
What Skin Concerns Can Chemical Peels Treat?
Chemical peels are highly effective for issues prevalent in our sunny region: sun spots, age spots, melasma, freckles, fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture, dullness, acne, acne scars, enlarged pores, and uneven tone. They also help with mild scarring and overall skin rejuvenation. Many of our clients seek them specifically for reversing years of UV exposure from hiking, golfing, or daily desert living. We commonly use chemical peels on all areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, not just the face!
How Long Does a Chemical Peel Take?
Most sessions take around 30 minutes to an hour as our prep process is very thorough. We will start by thoroughly cleansing the treatment area, exfoliating, and applying peel prep to the area. We then perform the peel process and finish with a peel neutralizer and third cleanse. Deeper peels and additional areas can take more than an hour, but your appointment details will let you know how long the treatment will take!
What is the Downtime Like?
Downtime varies based on the type of peel that you have done. For light peels, you can expect 1-3 days of mild redness and light flaking. There is often no real downtime for this type of peel and flaking may not even be noticeable. With medium depth peels, patients can expect 3-7 days of peeling with tightness and redness. Deep peels will result in 7-14 or more days of noticeable shedding and swelling possible. In Arizona’s dry air, your skin can feel extra tight during this process, so keeping your skin moisturized topically in combination with adequate water intake will be key! Keep in mind that after a chemical peel, your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun, so it is important to protect all your new skin from the sun. We recommend either a mineral-based sunscreen or keeping the area covered.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
One peel delivers noticeable glow and improvement, but most clients achieve optimal results with a series of 3–6 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart. For maintenance in our high-UV environment, 1–2 peels per year help sustain benefits. If you are looking to target sun damage or melasma, you might need multiple sessions for best fading.
Are Chemical Peels Safe in Arizona?
Yes, when done professionally with proper pre/post care. However, new skin is vulnerable to hyperpigmentation, especially on medium-to-darker tones. At Reve Medical Aesthetics, we will stress broad-spectrum SPF 30+ that is mineral-based (which reflects UV rays rather than absorbing them), hats, and shade—particularly in the first 2 weeks. Lighter peels are often safer for summer months here. Choose our experienced providers to keep risks low.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
At Reve Medical Aesthetics, our trained staff is ready to get you started on your journey to a more youthful look. Schedule your complimentary consultation online, submit a form below, or give us a call to get started!