Chemical Peels: Everything You Need to know

A chemical peel is a powerful skin exfoliating solution applied to the face, neck, or hands to reveal the smooth and clear skin underneath. What makes this technique so popular is that it’s useful for a variety of skin concerns. It can help to treat acne, minimise pores, erase fine lines and wrinkles, fade discolouration, lift the skin, soothe scarring and help with texture. It is also a non-invasive treatment.

No, there are different peels. Peels are generally classified by their ingredients. Each skin condition may respond differently to the ingredients in a peel. All peels can provide skin rejuvenating benefits, but your skin type and condition dictate which peel to use.

We offer three different types of chemical peels each targeting a range of skin issues. The peels we offer are a Glycolic Acid Peel, Mandelic Acid and Salicylic Acid.

Alpha-hydroxy (AHA), glycolic, lactic, or fruit acid peels are among the gentlest peels. This particular type of peel can help to increase your skin’s collagen production, refine the texture, brighten and refresh the skin tone, reduce wrinkles and acne scars, increase the moisture level in the skin and help to eliminate hyper-pigmented cells from sun damage.

You can expect the same skin benefits from a mandelic acid peel that you would expect from a normal one, such as cell turnover to firm up the skin. This one, in particular, is great for clearing pores and brightening the skin. Acneic skin can get easily clogged, making this a good choice for clearing skin debris and smoothing the complexion. Mandelic acid has also shown benefits from brightening the skin as well, so it can help support a regimen to clear photo-damage. If you have super-sensitive skin, a mandelic peel might be the best option for you. It has a larger molecular structure than other acids, such as glycolic and salicylic, so it does not penetrate as deeply.

There are plenty of types of chemical peels, some more intensive than others. If you’re worries about trying a peel for the first time, salicylic acid is likely the best place to start. Salicylic acid is the best peel for treating acne, this acid penetrates deep into the skin’s layers to unclog pores whilst removing the surface of blackheads and spots as well as dissolving any congestion and debris.

First of all, it’s important to make sure you don’t have any medical conditions that may prevent treatment with a chemical peel. Women who are pregnant, or are actively trying to get pregnant, for example, should avoid some of the more aggressive peels (as well as anyone with open sores or skin infections). Some medications or lifestyle factors, like excessive sun exposure, may also determine whether a peel is a good idea for you. We always recommend everyone get a thorough skincare assessment prior to undergoing a peel to make sure you will get the best results possible. You will notice a visible improvement in your skin after one peel, but the best results are obtained with multiple treatments over time.

The most common misconception we hear all the time is that a chemical peel will require a lot of downtime. Although some high-concentration peels will cause significant redness. We also have mild peels that work great and have minimal downtime. Another misconception is that you should see a noticeable difference after only one chemical peel. Just as it takes time for skin damage to accumulate, it also takes time to reverse it.