Chemical Peels FAQs

Skin peels harness the power of naturally occurring acids and many other active ingredients to deeply exfoliate, polish, moisturise and brighten the skin. 

These products help to remove the top layers of skin, revealing a fresh, glowing complexion beneath.  Other beneficial ingredients may stimulate new cell growth, encourage collagen production, fade scars or pigmentation, heal blemishes and smooth out uneven or ageing skin.

Skin peels can be superficial, moderate or deep in their penetration of the skin.  The deeper the chemical goes, the longer lasting the result, but the procedure has more downtime as the skin repairs.  Quick, superficial chemical peels offer speedy results with very few side effects.  Your clinician will be able to discuss all the options with you.

Chemical peels can form part of a longer facial treatment, but if you are coming in just for the peel, it will be a much quicker experience.

You’ll still be comfortably settled on one of our hydraulic treatment chairs, whilst soft music and lighting will help to relax you.  Our clinician will thoroughly cleanse your face before applying the skin peel, which will be left on the skin to work.  Once it’s fully soaked in, we’ll wash the peel away and explain any aftercare to you.  

Your clinician may recommend you book for another chemical skin peel once the healing period is complete.

Almost everyone can benefit from a skin peel – they can leave skin looking significantly younger and healthier alongside a series of more specific treatment results.

However, chemical skin peels are only suitable for those over 18.  We cannot treat women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those with an aspirin or phenol allergy or those who have used Accutan within the last 3 months.

Chemical peels are not suitable for people with active cold sores, warts, or open wounds, those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, anyone who has recently had cryo surgery or liquid nitrogen treatments or people with a weakened immune system.

You should not have laser hair removal, waxing, microdermabrasion or electrolysis in the week prior to your skin peel and you should not use depilatory creams during this period either.

Certain products can increase skin sensitivity or cause a stronger reaction to the peel if used in the days running up to your treatment.  For that reason we recommend you avoid  using topical retinoids and tretinoin (such as Retin-A®, Renova®, Differin®, Tazorac®, and Refissa®) for 3-5 days before and after a peel unless stated otherwise by your clinician.

Other topical acids or exfoliants may also affect your treatment as they are drying or irritating to the skin, so beware of AHAs, BHAs, exfoliating masks, retinols, hydroquinone and benzoyl peroxide acne products.

This will depend on the type of skin peel you’ve chosen.  A superficial peel will show results right away and you’ll see the full impact within a day or two.

Deeper chemical peels could take a week or two to heal, meaning that the best results won’t be seen until the skin loses its initial redness and peeling.

Again, the type of chemical peel is a factor.  Certainly a deep peel shouldn’t need repeating but a superficial peel could be done several times over the course of a treatment for maximum effect.

All chemical peels may leave skin red, slightly sore and peeling in the hours and days after treatment.  This is completely normal and part of the healing and renewing process.

Deeper skin peels can result in your face feeling quite sore, swollen and tight.  It often resembles a feeling of sunburn but you can take painkillers to help with this.  

Peeling can be quite dramatic with a deep treatment and very itchy – this is usually at its worst a couple of days after treatment, but it can take up to two weeks for the skin to fully recover.  Redness may linger for three to four months after a deep chemical peel.

Avoid sun exposure and sunscreen until healing has occurred so wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses.

It’s best to steer clear of strenuous exercise and sweating, and sleep on your back.

For all treatment costs, see our Price List.

This will be very individual and depend on the condition of your skin and the concerns you’re looking to treat.  A single skin peel can instantly brighten and renew the complexion, but more complex issues may need a series of 4-6 peels.  No more than one deep peel should be given.