Chemical peels are one of the most effective and time-tested methods of skin resurfacing — removing the outer layers of damaged skin to reveal smoother, clearer, more radiant skin beneath. At Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery, chemical peels are physician-directed and performed by our aesthetic nurses under Dr. Tan's clinical framework — with the full range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options available if your skin requires more.
Chemical peels use carefully formulated solutions to remove damaged outer layers of skin — stimulating cell turnover, reducing pigmentation, smoothing texture, minimizing fine lines, and revealing a cleaner, more radiant complexion. At Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery, every chemical peel is selected and directed by Dr. Tan based on your specific skin type, concerns, and goals.
Hawaii's year-round sun exposure, humidity, and diverse patient population mean that peel selection requires careful consideration of skin type and Fitzpatrick phototype. Our aesthetic nurses perform chemical peel treatments under Dr. Tan's physician-directed protocol — ensuring that peel strength, preparation, and post-care are appropriate for your specific skin, not a generic template.
Chemical peels work well as standalone treatments and are frequently incorporated into a broader skin improvement plan — alongside SkinPen microneedling, the Hollywood Spectra laser, and physician-directed medical skincare — for patients whose concerns require a multi-modality approach.
We offer two physician-selected peel options — one for patients seeking an effective, lower-downtime resurfacing experience, and one for patients with more significant skin concerns requiring a deeper approach.
The ZO® 3-Step Peel is a professional-grade chemical peel designed to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, address pigmentation, and restore a radiant, even complexion. Its multi-step formulation works through three distinct phases — exfoliation, renewal, and revitalization — to comprehensively resurface the skin with a gentler recovery profile than deeper peels.
The ZO 3-Step Peel is well-suited for patients who want meaningful improvement in skin texture and clarity but cannot accommodate extended downtime. It is appropriate for a wide range of skin types and is frequently recommended as a maintenance treatment between more intensive procedures.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels are a medium-depth resurfacing option that penetrates beyond the epidermis into the upper dermis — addressing more significant concerns than lighter peels can reach. TCA peels produce more visible and longer-lasting improvement in skin texture, pigmentation, fine lines, and surface irregularities.
The appropriate concentration and application technique are determined by Dr. Tan based on your skin type, Fitzpatrick phototype, and the specific concerns being treated. TCA peels require more recovery time than lighter options — typically 5–10 days of visible peeling — but the results are proportionally more significant.
Contact our office for current pricing. Package pricing is available for a series of treatments.
Chemical peels remove the outermost layer of dead, damaged skin — revealing the smoother, healthier skin beneath and stimulating the production of new skin cells.
By stimulating cell renewal and collagen production in the dermis, chemical peels can reduce the appearance of fine lines — particularly around the mouth, eyes, and forehead.
Chemical peels remove excess melanin deposits at the skin surface and interrupt the pigmentation cycle — improving dark spots, melasma patches, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Surface pigmentation from previous acne breakouts and mild acne scarring respond well to chemical peels — particularly when combined with other acne treatments.
One of the most immediately visible effects of a chemical peel is improved radiance — a cleaner, brighter, more luminous skin surface that reflects light more evenly.
Chemical peels are frequently used in combination with SkinPen microneedling, laser treatments, or medical skincare to enhance and extend the results of the broader treatment plan.
Chemical peel treatments at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery are performed by our aesthetic nurses under Dr. Tan's physician-directed protocol. Every treatment begins with a skin consultation to assess your skin type, concerns, and the appropriate peel for your goals.
On the day of treatment, the skin is thoroughly cleansed and the peel solution applied precisely and evenly. The duration and technique depend on the peel selected and your skin's response. After the solution is neutralized, a soothing post-treatment protocol is applied to begin the healing process.
Recovery varies significantly between peels. The ZO 3-Step Peel involves mild redness and light flaking over 3–5 days. The TCA Peel involves more visible peeling and redness over 5–10 days — with more significant and lasting results. Sun protection is non-negotiable during recovery and ongoing. Dr. Tan's team provides detailed aftercare instructions and physician-directed skincare for the recovery period.
Request a ConsultationCommon questions about chemical peel treatments at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery.
Schedule a consultation — our clinical team will assess your skin type, discuss your goals, and recommend the right peel and treatment plan for your specific concerns.