What skin layer is penetrated by a medium depth peel?

The medium depth peel is designed to penetrate beyond the outermost layers of the skin, specifically reaching into the papillary dermis layer. This layer is located just below the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the skin comprised primarily of dead skin cells.

By targeting the papillary dermis, a medium depth peel effectively removes damaged skin cells and promotes cellular turnover, which can enhance the skin's texture and reduce signs of aging, such as fine lines and hyperpigmentation. This peel varies from superficial peels that only affect the stratum corneum and deeper peels that reach the reticular dermis, offering a balance of effectiveness without the extensive recovery time associated with deeper treatments.

This targeted approach allows for significant improvement in skin appearance while still being manageable in terms of healing and downtime, making it a popular choice in aesthetic treatments. In contrast, the stratum corneum is not penetrated sufficiently by a medium depth peel, and the reticular dermis and subcutaneous layer are targeted by deeper chemical peels or more invasive procedures.