A deep chemical peel is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that can dramatically improve the aesthetic quality and appearance of the skin. A deep chemical peel penetrates the deeper layers of the skin to correct damage and imperfections. People who are interested in deep chemical peel cosmetic procedures should educate themselves about the procedure, its benefits, risks, and costs when determining if the procedure is right for them.

Deep chemical peel procedures provide a number of aesthetic advantages. Deep chemical peel treatments, or phenol treatments, are excellent in providing a drastic improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration and uneven pigmentation, skin damage and acne scars. In order to achieve the desired results, only one deep chemical peel treatment is necessary. Most other chemical peel treatments must be performed in a series to achieve the desired results. With a deep chemical peel, only one treatment is needed and the results last for many years.

There are some disadvantages and potential side effects posed by deep chemical peel treatments. Compared to other chemical peels, the recovery time for a deep chemical peel is typically the longest and most uncomfortable. Most deep chemical peel patients should expect to take at least a week off from work to recover from this procedure.

During this time it is typical for a patient to experience some degree of discomfort, swelling, redness, oozing, crusting, flaking, and peeling. For the first two to three months following a deep chemical peel, the skin will typically appear sunburned as the new healthy skin grows. After two weeks this coloration can be covered with makeup. Sun protection is extremely important after a deep chemical peel.

More serious side effects associated with a deep chemical peel can include lines of demarcation between the treated and untreated areas, permanently pale skin with the inability to tan, and scarring or uneven skin pigmentation. People with darker skin or heavy freckles may not be good candidates for a deep chemical peel because these side effects are drastically pronounced in these patients.

The deep chemical peel procedure is performed by a trained cosmetic surgery professional in a doctor's office, hospital, or surgery center. A deep chemical peel is administered on an outpatient basis under a general anesthesia (or heavy sedation) and takes between fifteen and sixty minutes to complete. A deep chemical peel patient will be released from the medical facility after the procedure in order to recover in the comforts of their own home.

The cost of a deep chemical peel can vary widely but averages about four thousand dollars. Because a deep chemical peel is performed for aesthetic reasons, the cost is typically not covered by medical insurance.