Non-Surgical · Dr. Susan Tan, MD ABFPRS

Chemical Peels in Honolulu

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.

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ABFPRS Board Certified Castle Connolly Top Doctor 2026 Only Female Facial Plastic Surgeon in Honolulu Physician-Directed — Not Delegated

Physician-Directed Skin Resurfacing

Chemical Peels in Honolulu — Professional Skin Resurfacing Under Physician Oversight

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.

Two Professional Peel Options

Chemical Peels Available at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery

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.

Professional Peel · Lower Downtime

ZO® 3-Step Peel

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.

Best For

Fine lines and early skin aging
Uneven skin tone and mild pigmentation
Dull or congested skin
Maintenance between deeper treatments
Patients with limited downtime availability

Medium-Depth Peel · More Significant Results

TCA Peel

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.

Best For

Moderate to significant sun damage
Stubborn hyperpigmentation and melasma
More pronounced fine lines and texture irregularities
Post-acne pigmentation and surface scarring
Patients able to accommodate 5–10 days of recovery

Contact our office for current pricing. Package pricing is available for a series of treatments.

What Chemical Peels Improve

Chemical Peels Can Improve All of These Skin Concerns

Improve Skin Texture and Smoothness

Chemical peels remove the outermost layer of dead, damaged skin — revealing the smoother, healthier skin beneath and stimulating the production of new skin cells.

Reduce Fine Lines and Surface Wrinkles

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.

Address Hyperpigmentation and Melasma

Chemical peels remove excess melanin deposits at the skin surface and interrupt the pigmentation cycle — improving dark spots, melasma patches, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Treat Post-Acne Pigmentation and Scarring

Surface pigmentation from previous acne breakouts and mild acne scarring respond well to chemical peels — particularly when combined with other acne treatments.

Restore Radiance and Skin Glow

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.

Prepare Skin for Other Treatments

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.

What to Expect

Chemical Peel Treatment — The Process and Recovery

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.

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ZO 3-Step vs TCA — At a Glance

ZO 3-Step

TCA

Depth

Superficial

Medium

Downtime

3–5 days

5–10 days

Results

Moderate

Significant

Sessions

Series of 3–4

1–2

Skin Types

All types

Assessed at consult

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chemical Peels in Honolulu — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about chemical peel treatments at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery.

What is the difference between the ZO 3-Step Peel and a TCA peel?

The ZO 3-Step Peel is a superficial professional peel with a shorter recovery of 3–5 days — appropriate for patients who want meaningful improvement in texture, tone, and radiance with limited downtime. A TCA peel is a medium-depth peel that penetrates deeper into the dermis, producing more significant results for stubborn pigmentation, more pronounced texture concerns, and sun damage — but requiring 5–10 days of visible recovery. The right choice depends on your skin concerns, skin type, and how much downtime you can accommodate.

Who performs chemical peels at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery?

Chemical peel treatments are performed by our aesthetic nurses — registered nurses with specialized training in aesthetic medicine — under Dr. Tan’s physician-directed protocol. Every peel selection and treatment plan is reviewed by Dr. Tan to ensure it is appropriate for your specific skin type and concerns.

Are chemical peels safe for darker skin tones?

Chemical peel selection for darker Fitzpatrick skin types (III–VI) requires careful assessment of peel depth, formulation, and post-care — because deeper peels carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin. Our aesthetic nurses and Dr. Tan assess every patient’s skin type before selecting a peel. The ZO 3-Step Peel is appropriate for a broad range of skin types. TCA peel candidacy in darker skin tones is assessed carefully at consultation.

How many chemical peel sessions will I need?

This depends on the peel and your goals. The ZO 3-Step Peel is typically recommended as a series of 3–4 treatments spaced 3–4 weeks apart for best results — and as a quarterly maintenance treatment thereafter. TCA peels typically require 1–2 sessions to achieve the desired improvement. Dr. Tan’s team will recommend the appropriate treatment cadence at your consultation.

Can I combine a chemical peel with other skin treatments?

Yes — and combination approaches often produce superior results. Chemical peels are frequently paired with physician-directed medical skincare to prepare the skin before treatment and maintain the result after. They are also combined with SkinPen microneedling, Hollywood Spectra laser, and Morpheus8 RF microneedling as part of a comprehensive skin improvement plan. Dr. Tan’s team will recommend the right sequence and combination for your specific skin.

What should I avoid before and after a chemical peel?

Before your peel, avoid retinoids, exfoliants, and certain skincare products for at least one week — your aesthetic nurse will provide specific pre-treatment instructions. After your peel, avoid sun exposure, use broad-spectrum SPF daily, and follow the physician-directed post-care protocol provided. Do not pick or pull at peeling skin — this can cause scarring and pigmentation changes.

Interested in chemical peels in Honolulu?

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.

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