A good skincare routine can maintain what you have, and a medical-grade chemical peel addresses what your routine can’t reach. The accumulated dead and damaged cells on your skin's surface are responsible for dullness, congestion, uneven tone, and a texture that no moisturizer can fix. By dissolving that layer, a peel reveals the fresher, healthier skin underneath and triggers the subsequent collagen response. At Element Dermatology, having a board-certified dermatologist on-site means we can use higher-strength formulas than clinics without physician oversight can.

What to Expect During Your Treatment

All chemical peel treatments at Element Dermatology are performed by our estheticians under the direct oversight of Dr. Barry LaBine, a board-certified dermatologist. Here's what you can expect:

  • Your Consultation: Your esthetician will assess your skin type, tone, and concerns before selecting the right formula for your appointment. The same peel doesn't work for every patient. For example, acne-prone skin needs a different approach than melasma or sun damage. If you're a new patient, your case may be reviewed by Dr. LaBine before your treatment.
  • The Treatment: Your skin is cleansed and the peel solution is applied evenly across the treatment area. You may feel mild tingling or warmth as it works, but most patients report zero to minimal discomfort. The solution is neutralized and removed after the appropriate time, and a calming serum and SPF are applied.
  • Results and Follow-Up: Light peeling or flaking may occur over the following two to five days, which is normal and a sign the treatment is working. Most patients return to normal activities the same day. We recommend starting with a series of four treatments spaced two to four weeks apart, then maintaining monthly. Even if you don’t have visible peeling, your skin is still benefiting from the exfoliation. 

Chemical peels are one of the most underrated treatments in skin care. Simple, comfortable, effective, and inexpensive enough to do every month. That's a rare combination.

Google Review App Placeholder

Schedule Your Chemical Peel Appointment Today

Book Now
Two clinicians in scrubs reviewing information on a tablet at Element Dermatology

Frequently Asked Questions About Chemical Peels

What’s the difference between a medical-grade chemical peel and an over-the-counter one?

The concentration of active acid is the primary difference. Over-the-counter peels are limited to low concentrations safe for unsupervised home use, so they are mild enough to produce only superficial results. Medical-grade peels use higher concentrations that penetrate deeper and produce more meaningful improvement. The tradeoff is that higher concentrations require professional application and, at the strongest levels, physician oversight. The peels available at Element Dermatology include formulas that most clinics without physician supervision cannot legally or safely offer. Even if your skin doesn’t show visible flaking or peeling, it’s still benefiting from the exfoliation process. The efficacy of a chemical peel is not measured by how much the skin peels.

What does a chemical peel feel like, and what should I expect during recovery?

Most patients report zero to minimal discomfort: a mild tingling or warmth as the solution works, which resolves as soon as it’s neutralized and removed. Your skin may be slightly pink immediately afterward, then settle within a few hours. Depending on the strength of the peel, light peeling or flaking may occur over the following two to five days. Most patients return to normal activities the same day. We’ll always tell you what to expect from a specific peel before we apply it, so there are no surprises.

Why does physician oversight matter for chemical peels?

A chemical peel's strength correlates to the depth of its penetration and, ultimately, the results it achieves. Higher-strength formulas require a physician on site to be used safely, both for selecting the right formula for each patient and for managing any unexpected reactions. In Minnesota, clinics can operate without physician supervision, which means many spas and esthetic practices are limited to lower-concentration formulas. At Element Dermatology, our estheticians operate within a board-certified dermatologist-led practice, giving them access to medical-grade concentrations and ensuring dermatologist-level oversight is available when needed.

What does a chemical peel treat?

Chemical peels are effective for sun damage, brown and age spots, melasma, acne and very mild acne scarring, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines, general dullness, and overall skin discoloration. They can be applied to the face, neck, chest, and hands. We’ll select the right formula for your skin during your appointment. A peel targeting acne looks different from one targeting melasma or sun damage.

Related Care

Targeted Treatments