Medium-Depth Chemical Peels
chemical peels fight aging, acne, hyperpigmentation, & more
A medium-depth chemical peel is an advanced corrective skin resurfacing treatment that penetrates beyond the surface layer of the skin into the upper dermis to improve acne, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, melasma, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, and rough texture. By stimulating collagen production and accelerating cellular turnover, medium-depth peels deliver smoother, clearer, firmer, and more even-toned skin with long-lasting corrective results.
Unlike superficial chemical peels, medium-depth peels produce visible peeling and require intentional recovery time. Most clients experience moderate to heavy exfoliation for approximately 5–10 days, followed by continued collagen remodeling and skin improvement over several weeks. While downtime is expected, the results are deeper, more transformative, and longer-lasting.
When properly selected and professionally prepped, medium-depth chemical peels are safe for darker skin tones and melanin-rich skin. Pre-treatment preparation helps reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and ensures controlled, even penetration.
At Celebrity Skin Scottsdale, all peels are customized based on your skin type, tone, history, and long-term skin goals.
Conditions Treated With
Medium-Depth Chemical Peels
Medium-depth peels are ideal for correcting:
- Acne and acne scarring
- Melasma and hyperpigmentation
- Sun damage and brown spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven tone and rough texture
- Enlarged pores
- Aging skin (40+)
- Stretch marks and surgical scars
Even a single treatment can leave skin brighter, smoother, and more refined.
Medium-Depth vs. Superficial vs.Progressive
Chemical Peels
Medium-Depth
Chemical Peels
Best for moderate to advanced concerns
- Penetrate into the upper dermis
- Correct acne scars, pigmentation, wrinkles, and sun damage
- Stimulate collagen production
- Visible peeling for 5–10 days
- Require proper skin prep
- Long-lasting corrective results
Ideal for clients seeking true skin transformation.
Superficial (Light)
Chemical Peels
Best for maintenance and prevention
- Work only on the epidermis
- Improve dullness and mild discoloration
- Minimal to no peeling (4-7 days)
- Little to no downtime
- Require frequent treatments
- Ideal for darker skin tones or as a prep for a Medium Depth Chemical Peel
Ideal for maintenance and glow.
Progressive
Chemical Peels
Best for gradual correction
- Series of light-to-moderate peels
- Build results safely over time
- Minimal peeling per session (4-8 days)
- Effective for acne and pigmentation management
- Ideal for darker skin tones or as a prep for a Medium Depth Chemical Peel
Ideal for clients who want steady, controlled improvement.
Medium-Depth Chemical Peel Options
Celebrity Skin Scottsdale offers two professional mid-depth peel treatments:
VI Peel
The VI Peel is a standardized, medical-grade peel formulated with a blend of TCA, salicylic acid, retinoic acid, vitamin C, and phenol.
Features:
- Contains phenol (built-in numbing agent)
- Reduced stinging during application
- Pre-packaged formula
- Includes take-home aftercare kit
- Widely recognized and trusted
- 5-10 days of noticeable peeling
Phenol helps minimize discomfort while contributing to exfoliation and rejuvenation.
Celebrity Skin Scottsdale Medium-Depth Peel (Phenol-Free)
Our Celebrity Skin Scottsdale Medium-Depth Peel is a fully customizable, professional-strength peel formulated without phenol.
Features:
- Phenol-free formulation
- Customized TCA Blend (less ingredients for individuals with more skin sensitivities
- No built-in numbing agent
- Brief stinging for approximately 1–2 minutes
- Includes a comprehensive take-home recovery kit
- Tailored for acne, melasma, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and aging skin
- 5 to 10 days of noticeable peeling
Because it is customizable and phenol-free, this peel allows for precise adjustments for melanin-rich skin when properly prepped. Your provider will recommend the best option based on your skin and individual needs.
Chemical Peels Before & After
chemical peels FAQ’S
Both are medium-depth, medical-grade peels, but there are key differences:
Celebrity Skin Medium-Depth Peel
- Customizable, professional-strength formula
- Depending on the formula, includes powerful ingredients: TCA, salicylic acid, kojic acid, retinoic acid, Vitamin C, and glutathione
- No built-in numbing agent — It will feel stinging sensation for about 2 minutes
VI Peel
- Contains Phenol, a numbing agent that minimizes stinging during application
- Phenol also acts as a key active ingredient, contributing to the peel’s rejuvenating effects
- Pre-packaged formulation, widely used and popular
- Treatment Day: The peel is applied in layers and will cause a warm and tingling sensation. Skin is slightly pink or red depending on skin type and sensitivity.
- Days 1–3: Skin feels tight, dry, and may appear shiny (like parchment paper).
- Days 3–7: Peeling begins—skin flakes off in larger pieces than with lighter peels. Wrinkles and pigmentation may temporarily appear more pronounced.
- Days 7–10: Peeling subsides, revealing smoother, brighter, and more even skin.
Medium-depth peels are safe for both men, women, and most skin types and tones, including darker complexions, as long as the skin is properly prepped beforehand and post-care instructions are followed. Peels can also be used on non-facial areas such as the chest, hands, arms, and back.
Light or Superficial chemical peels are the mildest type, having minimum side effects (slight dryness, mild/light flaking to no flaking) and are quick to recover from. Light peels exfoliate the topmost layer of the skin helping to reduce acne, unclog pores, reduce uneven pigmentation and rough skin revealing smoother, fresher and more radiant skin tone. Although not ideal, you could put makeup on and go out to dinner after this peel and no one would know you had done anything.
Light/superficial peels are ideal for:
- Younger individuals (puberty up) to address minor skin problems
- Individuals who do not want to experience downtime (peeling)
- Individuals with sensitive skin
- Individuals who receive ongoing monthly light peels, as monthly medium depth peels indefinitely are not advised
Progressive Peels are light peel treatments are safe enough to be done every 4 to 6 weeks on a regular basis. Progressive peels will have cumulative effects without having to go through noticeable downtime. For darker skin tones, progressive peels reduce the potential risks that mid-depth and deep peels carry for this skin type.
Medium depth peels (Mid-Depth) are deeper targeting the intra-epidermal layer. This type of peel is considered minimal to moderate downtime.
Remember downtime is subjective. What you think looks bad may not be what I think looks bad. On average, it will take 5 to 8 days from peel start to finish. Day 1-3 your skin will be dry and tight, day 3-4 your skin usually starts to peel and peeling can last 3 to 5 days.
Mid-depth peels tend to be more noticeable than superficial ones. The flaking is considerably more and the flakes are larger. Sometimes the skin looks shiny like parchment paper and wrinkles and brown spots appear more pronounced until the peel has completed. This peel is safe for most skin types including darker skin tones so long as skin has been appropriately prepped before hand and after care instructions are strictly followed. (The VI Peel would fall under Medium Depth Peel Category too).
All peels do the same thing to different degrees; boost collagen production to improve fine lines and wrinkles, help with texture and tone, reduce hyperpigmentation (brown spots), reduces the appearance of all types of scars and helps to reduce acne.
Medium depth peels (Mid-Depth) are deeper targeting the intra-epidermal layer. This type of peel is considered minimal to moderate downtime.
The VI Peel is considered a medium depth peel, and is one of the most popular types of medical-grade chemical peels. The VI Peel is suitable for all skin types, and improves the tone, texture, and clarity of your skin.
Yes, almost any part of the body can be peeled and rejuvenated. With a Body Chemical Peel, you can get rid of unsightly sun damage and improve the health of your skin everywhere! Our popular Works Facial includes hands and chest, so it’s a great option to tackle everything at once.
We can peel your arms, legs, back, and more with our body chemical peel treatment. Some of the more popular body parts, aka “the forgotten zones,” are the skin on the neck, chest and hands.
Yes, chemical peels are a core component of our acne treatment facials that address clearing active acne breakouts as well as old acne scars.
Celebrity Skin acne facials are custom treatments designed for you, and work alone or in conjunction with any prescription acne treatment products you may be currently using. For acne sufferers, we typically employ medium depth chemical peels to achieve our goals of clearing active acne and reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and scarring from prior breakouts. Chemical peels can be very effective at treating acne and minimizing old acne scars on the face or any part of the body.
Chemical peels are not recommended for these clients:
- Accutane – 1 year off (isotretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid)
- Recent cosmetic surgery, laser resurfacing, deep chemical peels or dermabrasion (not microdermabrasion) – must have doctor’s note
- Active bacterial, viral, fungal or herpetic infections (cold sores, shingles)
- Pre-existing inflammatory dermatoses (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pemphigus)
- Rosacea – Will need to be evaluated (moderate to severe or current flare up)
- Facial cancers (especially facial melanoma), history of radiation to the region, undergoing chemotherapy currently or within the past year. Must have doctor’s note.
- Serious medical conditions such as diabetes, severe systemic autoimmune disease, infectious disease.
- Pregnant or lactating
- Allergy to aspirin (Salicylic Peels)
- Permanent Cosmetics (such as microblading of eyebrows) – best to wait 7 to 10 days then cover with occlusive barrier
- Discontinue Retin-A, Tretinoin, Renova, Tazorac, EpiDuo, Differin, Avage, Ziana– for 3 to 7 days prior to treatment
- Currently or recently on prescription steroids
- Sunburned or compromised skin, open wounds, lesions, rash or irritated skin
- Facial Waxing – requires a 72-hour waiting period
- Obsessive pickers
It’s important to review our chemical peel instructions to help maximize your results and minimize complications.
✨ Ready to Get A Medium-Depth Chemical peel? ✨
Everyone’s skin is different.
The best thing is to do is book a New Client Consultation + Treatment below
to discuss and personalize your treatment with products to meet your individual needs.
