Accessibility Accessibility Widget
Call Us Consultation Book Online
Accent Image

Chemical Peels

Smiling woman by the water in swimwear.

A Fresh Start for Your Skin

About Chemical Peels at Schoemann Plastic Surgery

Schoemann Plastic Surgery provides patients with options for a professional facial treatment using chemical solutions (such as glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and trichloroacetic acids) that give you healthier, more radiant skin. At our Encinitas, CA office, we offer chemical peel treatments that help to minimize skin abnormalities like wrinkles, scars, fine lines, rough patches, hyperpigmentation issues, and more.

Chemical peels dissolve dead, damaged skin cells with a special peel on your skin, which causes the visible layer to peel off. As your skin heals and begins to repair itself, you may notice a clearer, smoother complexion. A chemical peel treatment is a noninvasive option to make your skin radiant and may be used for the neck and face.

Chemical Peels at a Glance

Solid lavender background color.

Custom Formulas

Options for sensitive, acne-prone, or aging skin

Solid lavender background color.

Minimal Downtime

Light to moderate flaking, depending on the strength

Solid lavender background color.

Brightens & Smooths

Helps with tone, texture, and breakouts

Solid lavender background color.

Quick Appointments

Most treatments take 30 minutes or less

Solid lavender background color.

Safe for Many Skin Types

We personalize every peel to your needs

Your Skin, Just Brighter

What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is a skin-rejuvenating treatment that uses a customized solution to exfoliate the top layer of skin, triggering your body’s natural healing process. As new skin cells rise to the surface, the result is brighter, smoother, and more even-toned skin.

Peels can range from superficial (gentle exfoliation with no downtime) to medium-depth (more correction with visible flaking and a few days of healing). At Schoemann Plastic Surgery, we select the ideal peel strength tailored to your specific goals, lifestyle, and skin type.

Portrait of a woman with wet hair.

Variations of Chemical Peels

At our Encinitas, CA, office, we offer chemical peels in varying levels of strength (light, medium, and deep) to cater to our patients’ skin care needs and goals.

Light peels

You can have a light chemical peel during your lunchtime and return back to your day. This type of peel removes the top skin layer (the epidermis), giving your face a brighter appearance and a softer texture. We typically recommend receiving a light chemical peel about once a month for optimal results.

Medium-depth peels

This level of chemical peel reaches deeper into your skin, and you'll usually prefer to do this strength of facial renewal treatment over a long weekend. You may also need to prepare yourself for more discomfort during and up to an hour after the treatment. Medium-depth peels are designed for patients with significant skin damage, including deeper wrinkles and darker pigmentation issues.

Deep peels

The most advanced of the three types of chemical peels is the deep chemical peel, and it will require the lengthiest recovery time. This is an aggressive procedure that can leave your face itchy, swollen, and peeling for 2 - 3 weeks. Patients who get a deep peel may have dark age spots, sun-damaged skin, prominent acne scars, and deep-seated scars. As this level of peel is usually uncomfortable for most patients, we can provide you with local anesthesia before your peel.
Soft shadows on a textured, neutral surface.
Schoemann Plastic Surgery Icon

How Can We Help You?

The Treatment That Clears the Surface

What is the chemical peel treatment like?

During your treatment at Schoemann Plastic Surgery, we will have you lie down in a relaxed position to administer your peel. We will ensure your skin is thoroughly cleansed before applying the customized solution to your face, neck, or both.

We will apply the solution to your face and let it set for a specific amount of time, which will be discussed during your treatment planning session. Next, we will wash the solution off your face and apply a neutralizing agent. You should bring a light sunscreen and/or a hat to wear outside after the peel to protect against UV exposure.

Depending on the strength of the peel you receive, you can expect the treated area to itch and peel from a few days to a couple of weeks. Your provider will discuss ways to care for your skin after your procedure. Please keep in mind that no matter how much your skin itches during the recovery, it is never good to peel the skin off. You could cause scarring to your skin!

Great for Maintenance and Prevention

What skin concerns can peels address?

Chemical peels are versatile and can improve a wide range of concerns, including:

  • Uneven skin tone or sun damage
  • Melasma or hyperpigmentation
  • Fine lines and dull texture
  • Clogged pores and blackheads
  • Acne and acne scarring
  • Rough patches or dry, flaky skin

Many patients choose peels as a maintenance treatment to keep their skin balanced and glowing all year long.

Person with long hair looking thoughtfully at camera.

Smoother Skin, Brighter Tone, Real Confidence

What are the benefits of a chemical peel?

Chemical peels offer a noticeable improvement in skin tone and texture, but they’re not about drastic changes. They’re about giving your skin a clean slate, removing dullness and damage so healthy, fresh skin can shine through. Many patients find that even after just one peel, their skin looks clearer, softer, and more even.

Schoemann Plastic Surgery Icon

Healthier Skin From the Surface In

Are chemical peels right for me?

Getting the recommendations of a cosmetic professional is the first step in the journey to healthy, smooth skin. A team member at Schoemann Plastic Surgery can assess your skin during an exam in our Encinitas, CA, office before recommending the right chemical peel treatment for optimal results.

Chemical peel candidates should have noticeable concerns about their skin, including scars, dry skin, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, and other issues. We may suggest varying strengths of chemical peels to meet your needs and goals.

We offer peels suitable for most skin types and tones, and we’ll always choose the safest option for your skin’s specific needs.

Chemical Peel Recovery and Results

Shadows on a neutral surface, minimalist design.

Chemical Recovery

Recovery depends on the strength of your peel:

  • Light peels: Mild flaking or dryness for 1–2 days
  • Medium-depth peels: Visible peeling or tightness for 3–5 days

You’ll be given aftercare instructions, but the basics include:

  • Avoiding sun exposure and heat for several days
  • Using gentle, hydrating skincare
  • Skipping exfoliants or retinoids until fully healed

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know.

Shadows on a neutral surface, minimalist design.

Chemical Results

Most patients notice brighter, more even skin within a few days of treatment, especially as flaking resolves. The full improvement in tone and texture becomes more visible over 1–2 weeks.

A single peel can deliver a significant boost, but a series of 3–6 peels spaced a few weeks apart is often recommended for more severe concerns, such as acne, pigment, or visible aging.

Great Skin Starts Here

Why Choose Schoemann Plastic Surgery for Chemical Peels?

At Schoemann Plastic Surgery, you’re never handed a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Every skin treatment is customized, and every appointment is centered around your comfort, your goals, and your skin’s long-term health.

You’ll be treated by highly trained aesthetic professionals in a setting that feels elevated, private, and warmly welcoming, so you leave not just with better skin but with a better experience overall. Contact Schoemann Plastic Surgery in Encinitas to schedule your consultation with our team today at (760) 487-2520 or by filling out our online form.

Chemical Peels

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of a chemical peel depends on the strength of the treatment and the number of sessions required to achieve your goals. Light, superficial peels tend to cost less than medium or deep treatments. We’ll review pricing clearly during your consultation and help you choose a plan that suits your skin and budget.

Most patients benefit from a series of 3–6 treatments, spaced about 3–4 weeks apart. Regular maintenance peels, performed every few months, can help keep your skin smooth, clear, and evenly toned. We’ll personalize a schedule based on your skin’s response and long-term goals.

Yes—many gentle chemical peels are specifically designed for sensitive or reactive skin types. We’ll assess your skin during a consultation to ensure the formula we use is safe and effective for your unique needs.

After a peel, it’s important to avoid sun exposure, exfoliants, retinoids, and harsh skincare products for several days. We’ll provide a full aftercare plan, including recommendations for gentle moisturizers and sunscreen to protect your results as your skin heals.

Yes, chemical peels can help clear clogged pores, reduce breakouts, and fade post-acne marks over time. Salicylic acid and light glycolic acid peels are commonly used for acne-prone skin and can be part of a broader treatment plan.

Facials focus on cleansing, hydrating, and temporarily refreshing the skin, while chemical peels go deeper to exfoliate dead skin cells and stimulate new cell growth. Peels offer longer-lasting results and are more targeted for addressing issues such as texture, pigment, or acne scars.