Chemical Peels
CYNTHIA GREGG MD, FACE & BODY SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS offers men and women in Cary, Raleigh, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina a variety of chemical peels to improve their appearance and skin health.
Our comprehensive approach and skin care expertise enable patients to achieve their desired outcomes. Tailored to specific skin types and conditions, chemical peels are designed to target hyperpigmentation, aging, acne, rosacea, and a variety of other skin concerns. Peels also enhance the results of patients’ home skin care regimens, other in-office procedures, and help to maintain results achieved by other treatments.
Dermaplane
Dermaplaning is a non-invasive exfoliation treatment that removes dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz) from the face using a sterile surgical scalpel. This process improves skin texture, enhances product absorption, and creates a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Unlike chemical peels or laser treatments, dermaplaning is a purely mechanical process, making it an ideal option for individuals with sensitive skin who may be sensitive to acids or heat-based treatments.
SkinCeuticals® Peel Portfolio
SkinCeuticals® Professional Peel Portfolio offers medical-grade chemical peels designed to target various skin concerns including hyperpigmentation, acne, fine lines, uneven texture, and dullness. These peels are customizable and suitable for different skin types, from sensitive to more resilient skin.
Each chemical peel works by exfoliating the skin, stimulating cell turnover, and promoting collagen production, revealing a smoother, brighter, and healthier complexion.
Micropeel
This is a safe and effective procedure that combines three steps: an enzyme or Dermaplaning, a light chemical solution, and cryogenic therapy. This treatment will be tailored to each patient’s unique skin type, utilizing one of three different concentrations of lactic or glycolic acids, depending on the skin’s needs and tolerance. Benefits include the reduction of fine lines, skin brightening, and improvement of areas with mild discoloration, while promoting smoother, more radiant-looking skin. Cryogenic therapy is performed to relieve inflammation, further exfoliate the skin, and provide antibacterial benefits. There is no peeling associated with this treatment.
Micropeel Plus
This unique, more advanced version is designed specifically for patients suffering from acne, acne-prone skin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), excess oil production, environmental damage, or those in need of deeper exfoliation. Two concentrations of Salicylic Acid are available to decongest pores, reduce rough texture, and uneven skin pigmentation while improving skin clarity and reducing breakouts and blemishes. Light to moderate peeling is to be expected.
Pigment Balancing Peel
This chemical peel targets hyperpigmentation and improves the uneven appearance of photo-damaged skin, melasma, and acne-related discoloration. It combines high-performance glycolic acid and brightening agents like vitamin C to exfoliate the skin and accelerate cell renewal, resulting in the diffusion of localized hyperpigmentation. This peel helps improve overall skin clarity, promoting a more even and radiant complexion with minimal downtime. Light to moderate peeling may be expected.
Advanced Corrective Peel
This peel dramatically diminishes the appearance of discoloration, while also smoothing texture and refining the appearance of pores and signs of aging. This peel contains a blend of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and phenylethyl resorcinol, which works together to deeply exfoliate the skin, refine pores, and promote a brighter, more even complexion. This peel is suitable for various skin types and delivers noticeable skin clarity and smoothness with minimal downtime.
Smart TCA Peel
The Smart TCA peel is a deep chemical peel formulated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and glycolic acid to target advanced signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture. It works by deeply exfoliating the skin, stimulating collagen production, and promoting cell turnover for a smoother, brighter, more youthful appearance. This peel has some downtime. Making post-peel care essential for optimal results.
VI Peel Portfolio
VI Peel, Purity Peel, Precision Booster Peel, and VI Peel Body
Vi Peel is a professional skincare brand offering advanced chemical peels designed for both facial and body treatments. Their portfolio includes a variety of specialized products tailored to address different skin concerns and needs, providing both superficial and deeper exfoliation. The range focuses on enhancing skin appearance, texture, and overall health by stimulating collagen production and promoting cellular turnover.
VI FACE PEELS
These peels utilize a combination of TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid), retinoids, salicylic acid, and other active ingredients. The treatment helps exfoliate the skin’s surface, improving skin texture, reducing wrinkles, and addressing hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
There is a specific peel for acne-prone skin, the Purity with precision + peptides, which is excellent for treating both adolescent and adult acne. The standard VI Peel, VI with precision + peptides, is used to treat most skin types and provides great visible results.
In addition to the existing Lighten and Brighten Boosters, the peel now includes Hexylresorcinol, a tyrosinase inhibitor often shown to outperform even hydroquinone in pigment reduction.
This latest iteration adds smart peptides designed to:
- Calm inflammation
- Boost collagen and elastin repair
- Restore skin function at a deeper biological level
It’s also formulated with a retinoid accelerator to enhance cell turnover while peptides support recovery.
The newly designed peels are intended to go beyond pigmentation correction, tackling texture damage and inflammation while restoring skin function from within—not just superficially exfoliating. With peptides supporting healing and structural repair, it aims to promote long-term resilience.
Results can be seen within a few treatments, and the process involves some downtime with several days of peeling to improve skin tone, texture, and clarity to the skin, while helping with overall skin rejuvenation.
VI BODY PEEL
The VI Peel Body is specifically formulated for use on the body, where the skin is much thicker than on the face. VI Peel Body is effective on body acne (backne), scars, stretch marks, and hyperpigmentation on various body areas, including the décolleté, arms, legs, back, buttocks, underarms, and bikini areas for all skin types and tones. They use a similar blend of exfoliating acids to reduce pigmentation, smooth rough texture, and rejuvenate the skin. Results may take a few weeks to appear, with peeling generally lasting several days.
WiQo™ PRX® Derm Perfexion®
The Perfexion® is in a class of its own. Technically, a no-peel, no-downtime biorevitalization treatment, it combines 33% TCA with hydrogen peroxide and kojic acid, allowing it to deeply stimulate the dermis without disrupting the surface of the skin. This innovative formulation means:
- No visible peeling
- No photosensitivity (can be used year-round)
- No downtime
It is ideal for:
- Lifting and tightening
- Reducing fine lines and laxity
- Treating scars and stretch marks
- Enhancing glow and skin texture
Perfexion® is especially popular among patients who want results without the downtime associated with traditional peels.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE A PROFESSIONAL PEEL?
At the time of your consultation, one of our expert skincare specialists will determine the best suite of skincare products optimized for your unique skin care needs. These products will help to optimize the skin prior to treatment. Continued use after treatment will facilitate long-lasting results.
HOW ARE PROFESSIONAL PEELS PERFORMED?
The skin will be thoroughly cleansed to remove any oil or impurities before applying the peel. After cleansing the skin, a prep solution may be applied, depending on the peel, to balance the pH or enhance the penetration of the peeling agent. Sensitive areas, like the lip area, are protected with a barrier balm. The peel solution is then applied and allowed to sit for 5 to 15 minutes. The exact amount of time the peel is left in place is dependent upon the condition of the skin, any sensitivities and the exact product being used. Once the desired time is reached, with close monitoring, the solution may be neutralized or left on the skin if a self-neutralizing peel is used. After the peel is removed or neutralized, soothing creams, serums, or masks may be applied to calm the skin. This helps reduce redness and any irritation. A hydrating moisturizer will typically be applied to keep the skin hydrated and protected. Since your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after a peel, the practitioner will apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the newly exposed skin from sun damage.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF A PROFESSIONAL PEEL?
The side effects of a professional chemical peel can vary depending on the type of peel (superficial, medium-depth, or deep), your skin type, and adherence to aftercare instructions. While many side effects are temporary and resolve on their own, some may require more attention. During the actual peel, some tingling, stinging, or mild burning sensations are very common. Patients may expect mild redness similar to a mild sunburn, mild swelling, and tenderness of the skin for several days. There may also be mild discoloration, light crusting, and peeling, which subsides in a few days. Each peel is unique, and the expected recovery will be discussed in detail at the time of your consultation.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A PEEL?
Yes, while professional chemical peels are generally safe when performed by trained and experienced professionals, there are some risks and potential side effects to be aware of. The risks often depend on the type of peel (superficial, medium, or deep), your skin type, and how well you follow aftercare instructions. The detailed risks associated with each peel will be discussed further with your provider.
Those with extremely sensitive skin may not be good candidates for certain peels. This will be apparent after a trial period with home-use products. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not undergo a peel, as the acid could be absorbed into the bloodstream. Peels should not be used for approximately three months after any facial surgery. Patients with skin irritation, wounds, or open sores should avoid peels until these have completely healed.