Sometimes the skin doesn't need a laser. Sometimes it simply needs the right peel, at the right strength, for the skin in front of me.
I use a selection of professional peels, and I choose between them according to your skin, your concerns, the result we're looking for and how much recovery time you're prepared to allow.
Superficial AHA peels are generally used to improve surface texture, dullness, dryness, pigmentation and fine lines, while salicylic acid can be particularly useful where congestion or oiliness is part of the picture.
The GL Peel is one of my options when I want to give the skin a beautiful refresh without taking it through the recovery associated with a deeper peel.
It can help lift away accumulated surface cells, brighten uneven skin tone, refine texture and leave the skin looking smoother, fresher and more luminous.
I can adjust the treatment according to how your skin is presenting rather than automatically using the same strength on everyone.
My goal isn't to give you the strongest peel I can.
It's to give you the peel your skin actually needs.
A professional peel can be a wonderful in-between treatment when I want to keep your skin progressing between laser treatments without asking you to commit to the downtime, time or investment of another laser session. Depending on the peel I choose, I can refresh dull skin, improve surface texture, brighten uneven tone and leave the complexion looking smoother and more polished while allowing the skin to recover from previous energy-based treatments.
I also believe there is absolutely a place for peels when laser simply isn't right for your schedule, budget or goals at that particular time. You may want to do something positive for your skin but have an event coming up, limited downtime, or simply not want another laser treatment. I can select a peel according to what your skin needs at that moment, making it a worthwhile treatment in its own right, not simply a lesser version of laser.
I started doing professional peels in my 20s, long before laser became such a major part of my practice, and I've continued to use them to this day. I've found that peels still have a very valuable place in a well-planned skin program.
I may ask you to wait if your skin is irritated, sunburned, compromised or still recovering from another treatment, including recent laser, resurfacing or aggressive exfoliation. I also take extra care with active inflammatory skin conditions, open wounds or infections, and certain medications or products that can increase sensitivity or affect healing.
I also won't peel skin simply because someone wants a stronger result. The condition of your skin on the day determines what I'm comfortable doing. If I think your skin needs more time to recover, more preparation, or a different approach altogether, I'll tell you, even if that means postponing your treatment.
30% GL Gel Peel, glycolic-based; generally used for photo-damage, ageing and uneven texture.
30% SM Gel Peel, salicylic-based; used for blemishes, congestion, texture, redness and pore appearance.
MicroPeel Sensitive, designed for more sensitive skin and concerns including pigment and redness.
MicroPeel 20 and MicroPeel 30, stronger exfoliating protocols, commonly used for photodamage, fine lines, pigmentation and radiance.
MicroPeel Plus 20 and MicroPeel Plus 30, salicylic-acid-based professional peels used for breakout-prone skin, uneven texture and blemishes.
Pigment Balancing Peel, a professional peel aimed at mild hyperpigmentation and overall clarity.
Advanced Corrective Peel, a more intensive professional protocol for pigmentation, uneven texture and dullness.
I wouldn't compare one peel simply by its name or percentage.
The formulation, concentration, technique, your skin and the intended depth all matter.
Downtime depends entirely on which peel we choose. Some of my lighter peels involve little more than temporary pinkness and subtle peeling, while deeper or stronger peels will create more visible shedding and require more recovery time.
Stronger peels can produce several days of visible shedding.
I choose the peel according to your skin, your goals and how much downtime you're comfortable with, so we can achieve the result without giving your skin more treatment than it needs.
After your peel, I'll ask you to avoid direct sun for the next few days, keep the treated area dry that evening and be diligent with your sunblock. I'll also recommend the appropriate follow-up serums for your skin and your existing regime. This may include SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic or one of my Dermaviduals hydrating serums, depending on what your skin needs. As always, I'll give you specific aftercare instructions based on the peel we've used.
SkinCeuticals professional peels are $199 per treatment, with the exact peel selected according to your skin and what we're looking to achieve. The Pigment Balancing Peel is $250.
Call me for a clear picture of current pricing.
A peel can also be added to another treatment.
Selected peels can also be incorporated into other treatments when appropriate, including after or alongside certain laser treatments and LED light therapy, depending on the treatment combination and what your skin needs. They can also be added to one of my facials if you would like a little more from your treatment.
It really depends on how much surface skin we are starting with and which peel I've chosen for you. Most of the peels I use are relatively light, so you're more likely to experience a little fluffing or fine shedding, almost like dandruff coming away from the skin, rather than large sheets of peeling skin. I know that doesn't sound particularly glamorous, but it's honestly the best description!
The good news is that the right hydrating moisturiser can make this very easy to manage. In most cases, the shedding is so subtle that nobody would notice it unless they were standing very close to you with a magnifying mirror.
When a peel is used in conjunction with certain laser treatments, however, that can be a different story. The laser can temporarily increase the skin's permeability, allowing the peel to penetrate more effectively and creating a stronger overall treatment.
My answer is always the same: you should never deliberately expose your skin to the sun without protection. That applies whether you've had a peel, laser or no treatment at all.
If you are investing in your skin, protecting it from UV exposure is part of the treatment. After a peel, I'll be particularly strict about sun protection while your skin is recovering. That means using your recommended broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoiding unnecessary direct sun exposure.
You may feel some warmth, tingling or a little temporary stinging depending on the peel, but I'm right there with you and I have cooling options, including cold air and ice, to keep you comfortable throughout the treatment.
My aim is never to make a treatment uncomfortable simply for the sake of making it stronger. The peel needs to be appropriate for your skin, not a test of how much you can tolerate.
Results vary from person to person.