Chemical Peels
A controlled exfoliation that lifts dull, uneven or congested skin to reveal a fresher surface beneath. Done well, by the right hands, it is one of the most reliable ways to improve tone and texture. Done carelessly, it carries real risk.
What it really is
A chemical peel applies a cosmetic acid solution to the skin to remove its outer layers in a measured way, prompting the surface to renew. Peels are grouped by depth. Superficial peels use gentler acids such as glycolic, lactic, mandelic or salicylic and work on the very top layer. Medium peels, often trichloroacetic acid, reach deeper for more visible change and more downtime. Deep peels are a serious medical procedure performed rarely and only by specialists.
In a medical setting the practitioner chooses the agent, strength and number of layers for your skin type and concern. That judgement is the treatment. The same bottle in different hands gives very different results.
- ·Dullness and a tired, uneven look
- ·Mild sun damage and patchy pigmentation
- ·Rough or congested texture
- ·Fine lines on the surface
- ·Acne prone skin, with the right acid
- ·Active cold sores, infection or broken skin
- ·Recent strong sun exposure or a fresh tan
- ·Pregnancy or breastfeeding, for several agents
- ·Recent oral acne medication, often a wait of months
- ·Deeper skin tones need careful agent choice to avoid pigment change
Superficial peels are usually taken as a short course, often four to six sessions spaced two to four weeks apart, then occasional maintenance. Medium peels are done far less often, sometimes once or twice a year, because the skin needs full recovery between treatments. Your practitioner sets the rhythm after seeing how your skin responds to the first session.
Expect redness, tightness, flaking and visible peeling for several days, longer with medium depth. Temporary darkening or lightening of the skin can occur, and post inflammatory pigmentation is a genuine risk, more so in deeper skin tones. Less common but serious risks include infection, prolonged redness and scarring, mainly with deeper peels. Strict sun protection afterwards is not optional. A patch test and a clear aftercare plan are signs of a careful clinic.
As a guide, superficial peels tend to run from around 60 to 150 pounds per session, with a course priced higher. Medium depth peels commonly sit from around 150 to 400 pounds or more. Prices are indicative and vary by city, clinic and the exact protocol. See the full breakdown in our cost guide.
This is a medical aesthetic treatment. It is general information, not medical advice. Outcomes vary, and the right answer is sometimes none at all.
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