Few treatments attract as much misinformation as chemical peels. Search the term and you will find claims that peels burn the skin, that they thin it permanently, that heavy flaking is unavoidable, or that a bottle bought online is the same as a clinical treatment. Some of these chemical peel myths contain a grain of truth taken out of context; others are simply wrong. Either way, they lead people to avoid a treatment that may have helped them, or to attempt something at home that should never have left a clinic.
This article works through the most common chemical peel myths one at a time, explains what a professionally performed peel actually involves, and describes what may reasonably be expected. It is educational and does not replace an assessment by a qualified professional.