RefinedMD
800 Pollard Road, Building A
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Phone: (408) 688-2082
Office Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: Please call for availability
Closed Sundays & Holidays
Chemical peels are a fantastic, non-invasive solution for wrinkles, sun damage, and sagging skin. It’s a popular pick for services for men, and aestheticians provide all patients with a customized at-home care program to help you prep your skin for the best possible chemical peel. Follow the instructions, and your skin will more readily absorb the chemical solution evenly.
Every peel is best suited to a particular skin type. That’s why we tailor each treatment to address your biggest concerns. New patients are often encouraged to choose a gentler peel to ease into the process (and for minimal down time). At-home aftercare helps improve your reaction and recovery, too.
All chemical peels at RefinedMD require two steps. First, the outermost layer of the skin is removed. Next, new cell growth is stimulated in the deepest layers of the skin. The end results? You’ll look younger, healthier, and your self-esteem will skyrocket. Don’t worry, though, we won’t let you get to Kanye-level arrogance with your new skin.
Since establishing RefinedMD in 2012, Dr. Swengel has earned a reputation throughout the South Bay as one of the area’s top cosmetic and medical dermatologists. He is sought out for his expertise as a Mohs micrographic surgeon and laser treatment specialist, as well as his warm, attentive style of patient care.
Meet Dr. Steven SwengelWhat kind of peels do we have up our sleeves? Check out these a-peeling options.
At RefinedMD, we only offer the most effective and safest solutions to achieve your skin goals, including the Cosmelan Peel. The leading de-pigmentation peel designed to remove and reduce brown spots on the skin, the Cosmelan peel, can help create an even skin tone while increasing your glow. This quick 30-minute in-office treatment is combined with an at-home care regimen for optimal results. After the treatment, you leave with a clay mask on your face which is left on for 8 to 12 hours. Redness can be experienced for 1 to 2 weeks, so it is important to plan your appointment accordingly.
Most clients are approved to wear makeup 72 hours after the Cosmelan peel, and you will continue to see improved results in the weeks following your treatment. This peel can be repeated every six months as desired, but such routine appointments should not be necessary for those who follow the at-home treatments and avoid sun exposure whenever possible. All skin types and many concerns can be addressed with this peel, including melasma, acne scarring, poor skin texture, and signs of aging. A Cosmelan Peel addresses pigmentation at the melanocyte level, inhibiting melanin production and minimizing current hyperpigmentation. Learn more about the Cosmelan Peel and more treatments at RefinedMD today.
Get picture “Perfect” with the latest addition to our peel family. It’s a great option for those who have experience with lighter peels and are actively engaged in a skin care home regimen. Treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and melasma—the terrible trio so many suffer from. The results? Lighter, brighter skin with smaller pores and a revving up of collagen production. It’s made up of salicylic acid, vitamin C, phenol, TCA, retinoic acid, glutathione, and kojic acid.
Prefer to be pampered? Obagi Radiance is the gentlest chemical peel available and uses lactic and salicylic acid, plus oodles of botanicals. Enjoy brighter, tighter skin with just one treatment. Maximize your peel by combining it with Obagi’s other products like Nu-Derm and Obagi-C Rx for at-home care prior to your peel.
Hands down, Theraplex is the most commonly requested peel. Available in 20 and 30 percent peel strengths, this salicylic acid peel is unique because of the lipophilic element in salicylic acid. This makes it very effective for acne-prone and oily skin. It gets below the sebum (skin oil) in ways other water-based acid peels can’t. However, it also has naturally built-in guards and automatically stops when necessary to prevent over-treatment. You also get hydrolotion with this Peel Kit, which speeds up healing and recovery. You’re going to fall hard for this lotion, which is why full-sized bottles are available for sale.
Dr. Roy uses a combination of Jessners Solution and 35% TCA (trichloroacetic acid). This is a medium-depth chemical peel. This combination of peeling agents has been shown to give consistent results while minimizing some of the risks of peels, such as scarring and systemic toxicity.
Although possible, a medium-depth chemical peel is best performed under IV sedation to reduce discomfort for the patient and allow the physician to be thorough and meticulous to ensure comprehensive coverage of the peeling agent. The procedure is generally performed at an outpatient surgical center.
There are many different types of chemical peels and lasers for skin resurfacing. The major difference between the two is the mechanism of action. Chemical peels utilize one or more products that, when applied to the skin, cause a chemical reaction that aid in removing damaged and aged upper layers of the skin, making way for a newer, more youthful skin.
Different chemical peels have different depths of penetration (i.e. how deep they affect the skin), and the choice of the chemical peel depends on the skin type and color of the patient as well as the degree of skin aging and damage present. The deeper the peel, the more effective the treatment, but also the longer the recovery. Chemical peels are best used to help clear sun-damaged skin and pigment as well as improve the surface appearance of wrinkles.
Lasers use highly energized and focused light to heat various layers of the skin to produce a controlled “burn” to achieve a similar overall outcome as a chemical peel. Lasers are slightly superior in wrinkle reduction (especially around the eyes and mouth), and can be coupled with a chemical peel to maximize results.
At RefinedMD, in office facials are designed to deliver results that go far beyond what at home treatments can achieve. While at home masks and exfoliating scrubs can offer a temporary glow, professional facials provide …
At RefinedMD, chemical peels remain one of the most effective and customizable treatments for improving skin tone, texture, and clarity. Whether you are dealing with sun damage, acne, uneven pigmentation, or early signs of aging, …
At RefinedMD many patients begin the new year looking for a gentle and reliable way to refresh their skin, and light chemical peels continue to be one of the most effective choices. Winter months often …
At RefinedMD many patients begin the new year looking for a gentle and reliable way to refresh their skin, and light chemical peels continue to be one of the most effective choices. Winter months often …
Curious about peptides and how they may fit into your wellness plan? Join us virtually on September 22nd at 6:00pm for an educational event on medically supervised peptide therapy. Learn what peptides are, how they are administered, and how our providers determine which options may be appropriate based on your individual goals and health history.
Refresh, replenish, and give your wellness routine a boost with RefinedMD’s physician-developed IV Therapy. Designed to deliver hydration, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream for rapid and efficient absorption, our IV treatments make it easy to choose support aligned with how you want to feel. Whether your goals include hydration and recovery, immune support, antioxidant support, or energy and metabolism, there’s an IV designed with your needs in mind. And now is the perfect time to experience IV Therapy at RefinedMD: choose from five of our most popular IVs and receive 20% off when you book your treatment on a Thursday or Friday with Nurse Denise. Want to personalize your drip even further? Ask about available add-ons, including glutathione, NAD+, and vitamin D3, for an additional wellness boost.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by a RefinedMD Medical Editor on August 26th, 2026.
