The Jessner peel works by removing the top layers of skin to reveal smoother, more even-toned skin beneath. How deep the peel penetrates depends on what kind of chemical peel you get — superficial, medium, or deep.

The Jessner peel is typically a medium peel, which means it removes skin cells from the top layer of your skin, the epidermis, and the upper portion of the middle layer, the dermis. However, it can also be used as a superficial peel, which has a faster healing time but needs to be performed more often to get the results of a deeper peel.

Regardless of the depth, the peel is made up of a mix of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol in a 95 percent ethanol solution. Due to some concerns around the safety of resorcinol, there are also Jessner peel solutions made without it

People with darker skin tones in particular should always go to an experienced dermatologist for any peel, including the Jessner, to prevent permanent pigment problems and other side effects.

People with sensitive or extremely fair skin should also talk to their doctor before trying a Jessner peel since it may be too aggressive for their skin.

Pre-peel skin care plan

Your doctor may also ask you to follow a particular skin care plan for two to four weeks before your peel to reduce side effects and make the peel more effective.

This can include using a retinol or retin-A cream or gel to thin the top layer of the skin, increase cell turnover, and help the peel penetrate deeper into the skin. Typically, the retinol is discontinued at least a few days before the peel to prevent over-irritating the skin during the treatment.

What to expect during the procedure

 The skin is first cleansed . Your eyes will be covered with tape, goggles, gauze. The peel is applied with gauze, a brush, or a cotton-tipped applicator. The treated skin will begin to look frosted and whiten. You may feel burning or stinging.

Chemical peel side effects

While everyone will experience some side effects from the peel, complications are . These include:

• redness and swelling
• peeling
• stinging or burning

Rare complications include:

• permanent darkening or lightening of the skin
• scarring or infection

What to expect after a peel

After the peel, your skin may continue to burn or sting for 20 minutes or more. Your skin will be red, swollen, and tight for the first 24 hours or so. After that, the swelling will go down and your skin will begin peeling.

Your skin may darken or even develop brown patches during this time, but the spots rarely stay after the skin has healed. Once the skin begins peeling off, new smooth skin will be revealed.

It can take five to seven days after a medium peel to develop new skin, and the redness can last for months in some cases. Generally, it will take 7–14 days to heal completely and see the full results of the peel.

However, the results aren’t permanent. Your skin will continue to age with time and sun exposure; acne can create new scars; and you may develop new spots of hyperpigmentation.

Taking care of your skin after a peel

To stay comfortable after a peel and improve healing, you should:

• Apply ice packs or use a fan to relieve the burning. Just be careful to not let the skin dry out in front of the fan.
• Moisturize frequently. Apply moisturizer any time your skin feels tight, dry, or itchy. You may need to apply moisturizer 10–20 times a day in the days following a peel.
• Follow all aftercare instructions your doctor gives you. Your doctor will ask you to follow a skin care regimen including gentle cleansing and antibiotic ointment if necessary.
• Do not pick, peel, or rub your skin. The peeling outer layer acts like a bandage and protects the new skin underneath. Removing this layer too soon can lead to burning, pain, and potential scarring. Hot water in the shower and sweating can also cause your skin to come off too soon.
• Take any medications your doctor prescribes. You may be instructed to take over-the-counter pain-relievers and/or antibiotics.
• Prevent sun exposure. The skin is especially sensitive to the sun after a peel. Completely avoid the sun until your skin is fully healed, and be careful to use proper sun-protective clothing and sunscreen in the months following to prevent dark spots from developing and protect against damaging sun burns.

If you are bothered by the redness and peeling of your skin, you can wear makeup to cover it once your skin is no longer irritation.