A chemical peel can cause various side effects, including:

• Redness: A chemical peel will cause treated skin to become red. After a medium or deep chemical peel, redness might last for several months.
  
  
• Scarring: Rarely, a chemical peel can cause scarring — typically on the lower part of the face. Antibiotics and steroid medications can be used to soften the appearance of these scars.
  
  
• Changes in skin color: A chemical peel can cause treated skin to become darker than normal (hyperpigmentation) or lighter than normal (hypopigmentation). Hyperpigmentation is more common after superficial peels, while hypopigmentation is more common after a deep peel. Changes in skin color are more common in people who have darker skin and can be permanent.
  
  
• Acne: Tiny white bumps (milia) on the skin are possible after a chemical peel. Acne also commonly develops as treated skin heals — due to previous acne or the use of oily creams on newly formed skin.
  
  
• Infection: A chemical peel can cause a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores. Rarely, a chemical peel can lead to a bacterial or fungal infection.
  
  
• Heart, kidney or liver damage:  A deep chemical peel uses carbolic acid (phenol), which can damage
  the heart muscle and cause the heart to beat irregularly. Phenol can also harm the kidneys and liver.
  To limit exposure to phenol, a deep chemical peel is done in portions at 10- to 20-minute intervals.