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The Definitive Guide to Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use a of acid to exfoliate the skin and trigger renewal. on their strength, they can brighten dull skin, soften fine lines, fade hyperpigmentation and acne and . Superficial peels are gentle and need a course. Deeper peels do more but carry more and risk. Like most resurfacing treatments, peels work best as part of a wider plan built around the right topicals, rather than as a one-off fix.

Please note, we are an online skin and hair clinic, so we do not offer peels. We used to them at our former clinic, but we now offer skincare that peels work best alongside.

What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a solution of one or more acids to the skin to remove its outer layers in a controlled way. This sounds dramatic, but it is simply a faster of the skin does anyway. By dissolving the bonds dead surface cells, a peel . Deeper peels reach and can even stimulate fresh . The acids for chemical peels fall into a few families:

The mechanism by which they work is why chemical peels vary so much in what they can do.

What Are the Different Types of Chemical Peels?

Peels are grouped by how deeply they work. Depth both what a peel can achieve and how much downtime and risk it carries. There are three broad categories:

A useful rule runs through all three. The deeper a peel goes, the more it can achieve, but the more downtime and risk it carries. This is why the right peel depends entirely on the concern, the skin type and the hands applying it.

What Do Chemical Peels Treat?

the family spans such a range of depths and acids, peels can a wide spread of concerns. The trick is the right acid and depth to the problem. The main uses for peels are to treat:

It is worth being realistic About Laser Hair for Women (drmohanclinic.co.uk) . Peels the skin you have, but they do not change its underlying tendencies. Acne, hyperpigmentation and ageing can return if the remain, so daily sunscreen and a good topical matter as much as the peel itself.

Are Chemical Peels Safe for Darker Skin?

Peels can be used safely in darker skin, but the choice of acid enormously. The reason is that any treatment which inflames the skin can trigger in darker skin tones. The deeper and more the peel, the higher that risk.

A few keep peels safe in skin of colour. Superficial peels are the safest choice. Of these, , partly because it is in its own right. and lactic acid are also gentle, because their larger molecules slowly and evenly. acid is effective too, and . However, it is a small, fast-penetrating molecule, so it more readily. For that reason it is started at a lower strength, built up and usually paired with a routine. By contrast, medium-depth TCA peels carry a risk of in darker skin and need real . One review of glycolic and TCA peels in Fitzpatrick V to VI .

Two further things lower the risk. Priming the skin beforehand with a pigment-suppressing topical (such as , or ) can reduce post-peel . Also, the experience of the practitioner more than anything. If you have a deeper skin tone, choose someone who treats skin like yours regularly. Our posts on and go into this in more depth.

Do Chemical Peels Treat Melasma?

its own note of caution. It is a chronic, relapsing form of hyperpigmentation driven by hormones, heat and UV light. It is also easily provoked. peels can help fade melasma as part of a wider plan. Glycolic, salicylic and mandelic peels are the gentlest options. In fact, azelaic acid and adapalene melasma. However, peels also cause inflammation, and can restimulate the very cells that drive . This is why an aggressive peel can leave melasma worse than before, and why medium-depth peels are generally considered here.

The bigger issue is that comes back. In one study of peels in darker skin, . For most people, then, is better first with prescription treatment and strict sun protection. A gentle peel is a adjunct but can never be the main treatment. Actives like , and target the pigment . Our posts on and how to keep it under control for the long term.

Can Chemical Peels Treat Acne & Acne Scars?

Peels have two roles in acne, and it helps to separate them. For active acne, salicylic acid chemical peels are the . As a beta hydroxy acid, oil-soluble, so it pores to clear debris, reduce sebum and calm . Glycolic and peels and Jessner’s solution can help here too. That said, peels are an adjunct to proper acne treatment, not a replacement, and most people get further with first.

For acne scarring, peels come into their own as part of a combination. Medium peels can soften the of pitted scars by stimulating collagen. Crucially, the points to working best. A found that combined with chemical peels produced the best results of any combination tested for atrophic acne scars. We explain how the two treatments work together in more detail in our post on . For most people, the best results come from an that clears the acne first, then addresses any scarring once settle.

What Does a Chemical Peel Involve?

A peel always starts with a consultation to assess your skin and choose the right peel and strength. The itself is . Your practitioner cleanses the skin and applies a prep to remove oils, then the peel with a brush, gauze or cotton pad. Sometimes they layer it for a effect. The peel is left on for a set time that depends on its type and how your skin . A peel, for example, is usually left on for only a few minutes. Some peels are then neutralised to stop them working, whilst others self-neutralise.

Downtime depends entirely on depth. A peel causes little more than a few hours of mild redness, so it suits a quick refresh. A medium peel involves flaking and peeling for around a week as the skin renews. A deep peel needs weeks of recovery and aftercare. Whatever the depth, the skin is more vulnerable to UV afterwards, so daily is essential to protect the result and further hyperpigmentation. Our guide to covers how to look after your skin in the days that follow.

Can You Do Chemical Peels at Home?

At-home peels exist, but they are less powerful, and that is a good thing. Consumer products use low concentrations of gentle acids, so they work only on the surface. Used sensibly, they can and smooth much like a mild peel. They will not match a professional peel, and they cannot safely reach the depth needed for scarring or hyperpigmentation. The acids worth looking for, and the to expect in safe at home chemical peels are:

A few simple rules can keep home use safe. Always buy from reputable skincare brands and pharmacies, and steer clear of high-strength "professional" peels sold to the public online. These can cause burns and damage skin so belong in a clinic. work best at a pH of around 3.5 or above, so a well-formulated product matters more than a high percentage. Patch test first, start once a week or every other week and avoid using acids and retinoids on the same night. Never peel broken or irritated skin. Above all, do not chase peeling, because . our posts on and for more on how to use them .

What Are the Alternatives to Chemical Peels?

A peel is rarely the only way to treat a given concern, and it is often not the first choice. For most everyday skin concerns, topical agents do more of the heavy lifting. However, the right depends on what you are treating:

There are also a few skin procedure alternatives to chemical peels. Microdermabrasion is the gentlest, buffing away the surface layer with fine or a diamond tip rather than acid. It has no downtime and helps with dullness and texture, though it cannot reach deep enough for or stubborn hyperpigmentation. through rather than acid, and it pairs particularly well with peels for . uses light to resurface and build collagen, and it has largely replaced deep peels for severe . The right choice on your concern, your skin type and your tolerance for .

Where to Get Chemical Peels in the UK

You can buy at home peel from most reputable skincare brands. Professional peels are not available on the NHS but many skin clinics and med spas offer them. They usually charge per and often if you buy a course upfront, it works out cheaper. A deeper peel usually costs more than a superficial one. If you are considering a peel, the experience of the practitioner matters most, particularly for darker skin or for melasma. Look for someone who your skin properly and the risks honestly. It is also worth knowing that a peel is often not the right first step. Many of the people seek peels for, , and , usually well to topical treatment. This is a safer and place to start.

At City Skin Clinic, we provide bespoke topical skincare using ingredients like , , and where appropriate. Our doctors design a plan entirely around your skin. You can read more about our custom for , , and , or to start. The journey towards great skin .

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, or treatment. Chemical peels should only be out by a and after an assessment. Always a qualified professional about your skin or treatment options.

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