WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL?

A chemical peel uses a chemical solution brushed onto the skin, which exfoliates the skin before being peeled off. This removes the outer layers of your skin revealing smoother more youthful skin below. There are 3 typical types of chemical peels:

Light or superficial peel: A gentle acid is used and only penetrates the outer layer of the skin, exfoliating it. This typically improves rough skin texture, improves discolouration and leaves the skin refreshed. 

Medium peel: A slightly stronger acid penetrates the outer and middle layers of the skin, removing damaged skin cells. It can improve age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles and moderate discolouration. 

Deep peel: A strong acid is used to deeply penetrate the skin, this is a much more intense peel and can remove moderate lines, age spots and shallow scars. With this depth, you will see the most improvement in your skin. This procedure can only be performed once. 

​

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Your skin will be cleansed to remove oils and then the chemical solution is applied to your skin, the strength of which is dependent on the depth of the peel required. This will cause what is referred to as a controlled injury, with the chemical solution penetrating through different layers of skin thus peeling away to reveal a new layer of skin. 

​

Typically the peeling of the skin will start within 2 - 3 days of your peel and can last for a further 2 - 5 days, meaning the end result will be visible between 4 - 8 days following the treatment. 

​

HOW LONG DOES CHEMICAL PEELS LAST?

A light chemical peel typically last between 1 - 2 months, a medium peel between 2 - 6 months and the results of a deep peel last forever. 

 

WHAT CAN A CHEMICAL PEEL BE USED FOR?

Chemical peels can be used to treat wrinkles, discoloured skin and scars. As chemical peels can be done at different depths, different levels of results can be achieved, however the deeper the peel, the longer they take to recover from.

​​

ARE CHEMICAL PEELS SAFE?

Light and medium peels are normally safe, however, deeper peels can be riskier as they produce permanent results. 

​

WHY HAVE A CONSULTATION?

We offer a consultation session which is £20. This session is perfect if you are unsure about what service to book and would like some guidance. At this session, we will discuss your requirements and understand what services are best to achieve your goals. Book a consultation now

 

At your treatment appointment, we will have a 15 minute pre-treatment discussion where we will ask you for the details of your medical history and the medication that you are taking, we will also discuss any treatments that you have had previously and what you would like to achieve with your treatment. Based on your answers, we will discuss if the treatment is best for you and will run through any concerns you may have. 

​

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COME IN?

Your skin will be cleansed and your eyes and hair will be protected. We will brush a chemical solution on your skin, you will experience some stinging, warmth or discomfort dependent on how deep the peel is, once the skin has been treated we will neutralize the treated skin with a solution or cool compress. 

​

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY APPOINTMENT?

We suggest that you avoid any special occasions within an 8-day period of the procedure, this gives time for any residual redness to subside. 

​

Please consult your doctor before having a chemical peel, they may prescribe anti-viral medication or cream to reduce the risks of side effects. 

​

Avoid sun exposure for 4 - 8 days following the procedure as this can cause permanent pigmentation irregularities in the treated areas. 

​

Two weeks before your treatment, avoid tanning or direct sun exposure. 

​

One week before your treatment, avoid hair removal or scrubs (such as facials) on the area to be treated and any hair dying, or permanent hair treatments. 

​

DO I NEED ANY DOWNTIME?

For light peels: 

You will have a sunburn-type reaction so expect redness and flaking of skin that can last between 3 - 7 days. As with sunburn, applying lotion will reduce the effects of the peel. 

You can wear makeup within 24 hours of the initial treatment. 

You can repeat peels every 2 - 5 weeks at this depth to achieve the result you would like. 

You will need to wear sunblock at all times following the procedure.​

​

For medium peels: 

You will have redness, stinging and some swelling on the area which may be there for 48 hours. There may be blisters and flaking on your skin followed by the skin crusting and peeling for 7 - 14 days. DO NOT pick your skin to make it peel faster. 

Apply ointment or lotion daily and don't expose skin to sunlight until healed.

You can wear makeup for 5 - 7 days following the peel. 

You can repeat peels every 6 - 12 months at this depth to achieve the result you would like. 

​You will need to wear sunblock at all times following the procedure.

​

For deep peels:

The area will be bandaged which can be removed after a few days with a healing time of 2 - 3 weeks. 

DO NOT pick your skin to make it peel faster. 

Apply ointment or lotion daily and don't expose skin to sunlight until healed.

You can wear makeup after 14 days following the peel. 

You cannot repeat peels at this depth.

You will need to wear sunblock at all times following the procedure.

​

ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO BE AWARE OF?

For certain skin types, if you are taking birth control pills, are pregnant, or have a family history of skin discolouration, there is a risk of a change in the colour of your skin, which can be temporary or permanent. Also, if you are prone to scarring, there is a potential, yet low, risk for light scars that can typically be easily treated. It may also reactivate a breakout of a cold sore. 

​

You may experience redness, scabbing and swelling in the treated area. 

​

HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED?

Typically it takes 3 treatments over 2-3 weekly intervals however this is dependent on the extent of the veins needing treatment. Everyone is different so it is dependent on your skin quality and your goals. For light peels, you can repeat peels every 2 - 5 weeks at this depth to achieve the result you would like. For medium peels, you can repeat peels every 6 - 12 months at this depth to achieve the result you would like. For deep peels, these results are permanent and therefore cannot be repeated.

​

WHO CAN'T HAVE CHEMICAL PEELS?

If you have a history or scarring, pigmentation irregularities, have skin conditions, can't stay out of the sun for the healing period, are pregnant or suffer from cold sores then we wouldn't recommend having a chemical peel.