A chemical peel is a procedure that is used to remove the top layer of the skin, exposing the layer below it to the air. This process is done in order to clear off the top layer of skin that may have scars and blemishes on it. These scars and blemishes are usually a result of a skin condition or a disease that has a skin condition as one of its components. Acne is a common skin condition that causes permanent marks to appear on the face and other areas of the body. It generally affects teenagers but could also affect older people. Even without acne, people may suffer from pimples on the skin that can leave ugly marks behind after they have healed. There are many diseases that cause problems with the skin. Chicken pox is a common condition that causes boils to form on the skin. The boils that burst or are forcibly burst tend to leave behind marks or scars which may last for years on the surface of the skin.
A chemical peel removes only the top layer of the skin. If a scar is deep and embedded in the skin surface, the chemical peel will, at best, dull the visible scar but it will not be able to remove it. Chemical peels are ok to use on the face, under medical supervision. This is because the face has plenty of blood circulation under it and plenty of sweat glands. This allows the skin on the face to heal quickly. Chemical peels on other parts of the body may also be harmful.
A chemical peel for legs could be applied for people who are shy of appearing in public wearing shorts or skirts. This is probably because of some scars or marks that they may have on their skin. If a person does not have any current skin condition, a chemical peel for legs can be performed. It should be noted that this procedure should be performed by a doctor only because the risk of further scarring exists on this skin of the leg. Generally, weaker chemicals are used for the legs as they tend to be less abrasive and less aggressive. There are also other risks associated with most forms of chemical peel. These include excessive burning, infection, scarring, hyper-pigmentation, hypo-pigmentation and the development of cold sores. These risks should be understood by patients before they attempt this procedure.