With an estimated $11 billion dollars spent on cosmetic surgery procedures in 2012 across the US, there are much less invasive and affordable options. In addition to massages and beauty treatments, quicker procedures available through a medical day spa include microdermabrasion and chemical peels. But what is chemical peel, exactly?

Determining what is chemical peel helps you understand its effectiveness and benefits to both skin appearance and health. Performed in intervals over the course of two to four weeks, the chemical peel procedure requires an application of hydroxy or retinoic acid to remove dead or dying skin. In doing so, the procedure smooths damaged, scarred, wrinkled and dry skin.

Chemical peeling removes the top layer of skin exposing the younger underlaying layer, essentially giving you a fresh face. Chemical peel products for a facial and body chemical peel effectively damage the top layer of skin. To which depth the chemical removes the skin depends on the nature of the problem being treated.

This compares to microdermabrasion, which is effectively a more superficial skin polishing conducted with micro crystals. Using a suction device to stimulate collagen production, microdermabrasion removes a top layer of skin. Similar to a chemical peel, procedure intervals are spaced 3-4 weeks apart.

The 14.6 million cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the United States during 2012 dwarfs the 1.6 million chemical peel procedures. With this, Americans spent $9million more on cosmetic surgery than on skin rejuvenation procedures. With much quicker recovery time, medical spa services are much more natural and easily conducted than cosmetic procedures requiring extensive recovery time. A medical spa treatments specialist can answer all your questions regarding what is chemical peel. More can be found here.