References
An introduction to chemical peels for the body

Abstract
This article has been written for medical practitioners who wish to incorporate chemical peels for the body within their daily practice. It will provide the reader with a sound knowledge of what a chemical peel is and why they are useful, and their key ingredients will be identified. Their clinical indications and contraindications will be discussed, as well as what the patient can expect post-procedure. The author concludes that a chemical peel on the body is ideal for combatting moderate problematic acne, reducing hyperpigmentation and treating keratosis. Used appropriately, skin peels can effectively treat these conditions. During the consultation process, the clinician can offer a broader range of treatments, rather than focusing exclusively on the face. In the long term, this will increase profit margins and build good practitioner/patient relationships.
Chemical peels are cost-effective and one of the most commonly used cosmetic treatments in clinical practice. Not only do they carry historical significance that dates back to ancient times, but they are also continuing to evolve and work well in conjunction with other in-clinic aesthetic treatments (Lee et al, 2019). Recent data, published by the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Databank (2020), stated that over one million skin treatments, including chemical peels, were performed in 2020. Today, a plethora of peeling agents are available; however, for this article, the author will primarily refer to AlumierMD peels, as these are used in her clinical practice. Their peeling agents contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) (which are lipid-soluble) and retinol. AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and mandelic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid. Not every acid treats the same condition. Certain ingredients are more effective at treating acne on the back, while others benefit other conditions on the body (AlumierMD, 2019).
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