Chemical Peels: Role of Chemical Peels in Facial Rejuvenation Today.

Abstract

The practice of chemical peeling remains an important aspect of the nonsurgical techniques available to the aesthetic surgeon when approaching skin rejuvenation. Despite past predictions of their disappearance in favor of lasers, the overall use of chemical peels by plastic surgeons continues to grow. In the past two decades, the techniques available to the clinician have evolved in safety and efficacy based on the dermatologic investigations of various individuals, including Obagi, Hetter, and Stone. The versatility, clinical endpoint-directed predictability, and favorable risk profile of chemical peels proffered by these latest advancements affirm that this modality is essential to the practice of the plastic surgeon treating patients with rhytides and dyschromias. This review presents the current role of chemical peels in skin rejuvenation, emphasizing the significant clinical advancements and their modern day applications and practice.