The cost of chemical peels depends on several factors. The type of chemical peel that is sought, the experience level and qualifications of the person performing the treatment, and a variety of other variables will all affect the cost of chemical peels. When considering the cost of chemical peels, it is important to understand that fees are often broken down for each specific portion of services rendered. There are generally surgeon fees, facility costs, aftercare costs, and other expenses to consider in addition to the cost of chemical peels alone.

National averages provided by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery do offer a good starting point for considering the cost of chemical peels. In 2003 the average cost of chemical peels was about $800. The total cost of chemical peels that was spent nationally in 2003 amounted to over $578 million. Statistics suggest that more than 722,000 patients underwent chemical peels in 2003, making this non-surgical cosmetic procedure the most popular skin resurfacing procedure. In comparison to other cosmetic techniques, the cost of chemical peels is reasonable in exchange for the dramatic and satisfying results that these procedures can deliver.

The cost of chemical peels is largely determined by the type of chemical peel that is administered. There are several types of chemical peels which fall into three broad categories based on the depth of the peel. Mild chemical peels, such as alphahydroxy acid, and PCA peel formulations provide more superficial treatment of skin imperfections. The cost of chemical peels of this nature average $150 to $300 per treatment. When considering the cost of chemical peels, it is important to keep in mind that achieving optimal results generally requires repeat treatments about every six weeks for light chemical peels.

The cost of chemical peels increases with deeper peel treatments. A full face medium-depth chemical peel, such as a TCA (trichloroacetic acid) treatment, costs an average of $1,000 to $1,200. Multiple treatment sessions are often required for these moderate peels which should be considered when determining the total cost of chemical peels. As a general rule, moderate chemical peels should be repeated every two to three months to achieve the optimal results.

Deeper peels, such as phenol formulations, are often the most expensive chemical peel options. The cost of chemical peels of this nature runs an average of $2,500 to $6,500 per treatment. Deep peels generally only require one treatment in order to achieve the desired results. These chemical peels can treat coarse facial wrinkles, extensive sun damage, and can even remove pre-cancerous growths on the face.

Because these treatments are usually performed for cosmetic purposes, health insurance policies do not often cover the cost of chemical peels. Cosmetic surgeons will discuss options for covering the cost of chemical peels with each patient on an individual basis, based on their specific treatment needs and resources.