Which brings us to what is widely considered the most aggressive type of peel out there—the phenol peel. As the saying goes, with great risk comes great reward—and phenol peels are no exception. Reasons to get a phenol peelGiven their intensity level and long-term downtime, phenol peels are definitely not for everyone. Due to their aggressive nature and significant, long-lasting results, phenol peels can cost you a pretty penny. While many mild chemical peels can be done safely at home with little to no downtime, phenol peels don't qualify.