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Chemical Peels in Washington, D.C.

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A smooth, radiant complexion is something we all wish for when we look in the mirror, but factors like sun damage, acne, and the natural aging process can leave your skin looking dull and uneven. If you want to refresh your skin’s appearance and restore a healthy, more youthful glow, a chemical peel at Capital Center® might be the solution.

Rona with a patient

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a nonsurgical skin-resurfacing treatment that uses a chemical solution to exfoliate the outer layers of your skin. As the treated skin peels away, new skin emerges with improved tone and texture. Chemical peels come in different strengths (light, medium, and deep) and can be customized according to your skin concerns and desired results.

Common peel ingredients include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and phenol. Your Capital Center® provider will choose the peel best suited to your skin type and goals.

What Are the Benefits of a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels offer a variety of benefits, including:

  • Smoother skin texture
  • More even skin tone
  • Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Less visible hyperpigmentation and sun damage
  • Fewer acne breakouts and less noticeable acne scarring
  • Brighter complexion

While even one chemical peel session can make a visible difference, a series of treatments is often recommended to maximize your results.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels are generally safe for most skin types, but those with sensitive skin, active infections, or certain skin conditions may not be ideal candidates. When you come in for your chemical peel consultation at Capital Center®, your skilled and experienced provider will assess your skin, talk with you about your concerns and skin issues, and determine the best treatment option for optimal results.

How Is a Chemical Peel Performed?

A chemical peel is performed in our office and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. After cleansing your skin, your provider applies the chemical peel solution, which may cause a mild tingling or stinging sensation. The peel solution is then either neutralized and removed or left to self-neutralize, depending on the peel. All of the chemical peels used at Capital Center® are self-neutralizing, so they will be left on your skin.

You will then be given instructions on how to wash the peel solution off your face (usually after two to three hours) and care for your healing skin.

The Capitol Building

What Is Recovery Like After a Chemical Peel?

Recovery after a chemical peel depends on the depth of the peel. With a light peel, you may experience mild redness and light flaking for a few days, with no “peeling” at all. With a medium peel, redness and peeling can last up to a week, while a deep peel typically results in more significant peeling and about two weeks of healing time.

During your recovery from a chemical peel, it is crucial to follow your provider’s aftercare instructions to the letter. Avoiding sun exposure is a must, and follow a gentle skincare routine (do not use any retinols or chemical or mechanical exfoliation). You must also refrain from picking at your peeling skin.

What Can I Expect From My Chemical Peel Results?

Once your face has healed after a chemical peel, you will see smoother, brighter skin with a more even tone and texture. Light peels offer more subtle results that improve with regular treatments, while medium and deep peels deliver more dramatic results in just one session. With a proper skincare regimen and diligent sun protection, your chemical peel results can last for months or even years.

Woman getting a chemical peel
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Types of Peels We Offer at Capital Center®

SkinMedica® Illuminize Peel®

The Illuminize Peel® by SkinMedica® is a superficial chemical peel designed to boost your skin’s radiance with little to no irritation. This peel combines alpha-hydroxy acids with phytic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol to gently enhance and rejuvenate your skin.

Ideal for first-time peel patients or those looking to subtly refresh their skin with no downtime, the Illuminize Peel®:

  • Reveals a brighter, more radiant complexion
  • Improves texture
  • Offers zero visible peeling, flaking, or recovery time
  • Provides immediately noticeable, healthy-looking results

SkinMedica® Vitalize Peel®

The Vitalize Peel® is a powerful yet gentle chemical peel that addresses visible signs of aging and sun damage. A good choice for mild to moderate skin concerns, this peel reduces fine lines, evens out skin tone, and lessens acne breakouts, helping to revitalize and refresh your complexion.

A Vitalize Peel® is an effective way to improve the appearance of fine lines, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and breakouts. After your peel, you can expect minimal redness with light peeling that typically lasts about one week. And while you’ll see noticeable improvement after one peel, your provider may recommend three to six treatments spaced about a month apart to achieve optimal results.

SkinMedica® Rejuvenize Peel™

The Rejuvenize Peel™ is the most intensive peel in the SkinMedica® collection, designed to offer deeper exfoliation and more significant skin renewal. It penetrates into your epidermis, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles while improving your skin’s clarity and tone.

A Rejuvenize Peel™ targets more profound skin damage and signs of aging, offering more dramatic results than the other SkinMedica® peels. Redness and peeling after treatment usually last one to two weeks, with visible improvement once the process is complete. For more comprehensive results, your provider may recommend three to six peels spaced a month apart.

The Perfect Derma™ Peel

The Perfect Derma™ Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel suitable for all skin types and tones. It can treat acne, melasma, sun damage, fine lines, and uneven skin texture. Infused with the tripeptide glutathione, it helps brighten your skin and improve its clarity.

The Perfect Derma™ Peel is ideal for people who want a refreshed, more youthful complexion with minimal downtime. Peeling typically lasts about a week, revealing smoother, more radiant skin.

BioRePeelCl3® BLUE

BioRePeelCl3® BLUE is a no-peel, TCA-based treatment designed to rejuvenate your skin without significant downtime. Ideal for all skin types, it targets fine lines, acne, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, and dull complexions while stimulating collagen production and improving skin tone.

If you’re looking for effective results with minimal peeling and nearly zero downtime, BioRePeelCl3® BLUE is the answer. Most patients can resume regular activities immediately, experiencing only mild redness or dryness that resolves within a day or two.

BioRePeelCl3® GOLD

BioRePeelCl3® GOLD is a revitalizing TCA-based peel specifically formulated for the skin on your body and designed to improve skin tone, texture, and elasticity. It effectively treats rough patches, body acne, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and sun damage, and contains ingredients to exfoliate, promote collagen production, and moisturize.

Suitable for all skin types and tones, BioRePeelCl3® GOLD is ideal for people who want smoother, brighter skin on nearly any area of their body, including hands, feet, buttocks, and décolletage. No downtime is required, as most patients experience only mild redness or flaking.

Learn More About Chemical Peels in Washington, D.C.

If you’re looking for a way to get smoother, healthier-looking skin, a chemical peel may be just what your skincare routine is missing. To learn more about the benefits of chemical peels and which type of peel might be right for you, contact Capital Center® today by calling (202) 386-7100 to schedule your consultation.

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