There is a general perception among patients in India that chemical peel procedures are not safe due to the use of ‘chemicals’. But this is not true. These peels are safe as they are mostly derived from natural sources such as glycolic acid (derived from sugarcane), salicylic acid, (derived from the bark of willow tree/ leaves of wintergreen tree), TCA (modified from cooking vinegar) lactic acid (derived from milk), tartaric acid (derived from grapes), etc. This is a very common procedure in foreign countries, where people tend to have more sensitive skin as compared to us, due to its instant results with minimal side effects and downtime.

Like all medical procedures, these should be done under the supervision of a qualified dermatologist, who would take the necessary precautions during the procedure. People with extremely sensitive skin, active infections, and those on topical or oral retinoids and /or alpha and beta hydroxyl acids topically should seek further medical advice before opting for this treatment.