How to Find Best Chemical Peel Classes

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

Sometimes, diligently following a skin care routine isn’t enough to keep the signs of aging at bay. As we get older, our facial skin loses volume and elasticity, leading to telltale droops, folds, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Traditional plastic surgery can address these concerns, but it’s not necessary for many patients and not medically indicated for others. Injectable treatments like Botox® and dermal fillers offer temporary relief with less risk, but their cost and potential side effects may put off some patients.

Fortunately, these aren’t the only options for people who want to look and feel better — nor for aesthetic providers who want to help them. One alternative is a chemical peel, which gently restores the skin’s vigor and can temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you’re ready to perform chemical peels in your aesthetic practice, here’s what you should know about the training.

What Are Chemical Peel Classes?

Chemical peel classes offer hands-on training for aestheticians and medical providers who’d like to add this discipline to their practice. Typically lasting one to two days, a comprehensive course should cover:

Basic facial skin and hair anatomy
Patient intake and screening guidelines, including recognizing skin conditions that may rule out treatment
Overview of the different types of chemical peels, including salicylic acid, glycolic acid, phenol, TCA (trichloroacetic acid), lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and others
Action mechanisms and indications for each type of chemical peel
Pre-treatment guidelines, including skin preparation and safe handling of chemicals
Chemical peel procedures, including peel depth and best practices for safety and minimization of side effects
Post-peel guidelines, including recognizing potential complications (such as burns or scarring) and treatment/management of complications

Both online and in-person courses should include live or recorded demonstrations with actual patients. In-person courses should offer trainees the opportunity to practice techniques on live patients.

How to Find the Best Chemical Peel Classes — What to Look For

Begin by confirming that you’re eligible to perform chemical peels in your state. State boards of cosmetology generally set chemical peel regulations, including which medical and aesthetic professionals are eligible to perform them and which types different professionals can perform.

These regulations vary but often restrict licensed cosmetologists from performing deep chemical peels, leaving those for board-certified medical professionals. Depending on your current certification level and your future career plans, you may wish to pursue a higher credential (such as a nursing degree) before enrolling in a chemical peel course for healthcare professionals.

Next, look for standalone chemical peel classes that cover the topics and objectives listed above. Or, if you’re interested in other minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, consider a more comprehensive facial aesthetic training course that may also cover disciplines like:

Microdermabrasion
General guidelines for how to do a facial
Laser therapy
Sclerotherapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments

Confirm that the course administrator is accredited and that the course will include live demonstrations and/or hands-on training. Make sure you’ll receive a chemical peel certificate upon successful completion as well.