Chemical peels have been used for many years and their use dates back to the ancient Egyptians who would use sour milk (containing lactic acid). Poultices containing mustard, sulphur and limestone were used by the Greeks and Romans.
Chemical Skin Peels in our Bicester clinic
Chemical peels are used with the aim of stimulating new skin growth, as well as improving surface texture, appearance and treating multiple skin concerns. We can reduce the appearance of pores, acne, acne scarring, and hyperpigmentation, and treat sun-damaged skin, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. When applied to the skin they lower its pH, which loosens the connections between dead skin cells, causing exfoliation and stimulating new cell growth. This treatment works on a cellular level, using vitamins and acids to encourage the body to build up collagen, remove damaged superficial layers of dead skin, and refine the top layer of skin to give you a smoother, radiant, more youthful complexion.
Superficial peels
Superficial chemical peels can be used as a preventative and skin-improving treatment. The rate of skin turnover begins to dramatically slow in our late 20s and having superficial peels with glycolic and lactic acid will help to stimulate new cell turnover, stimulate collagen growth and exfoliate dead cells. This will improve your skin's texture, give it a divine glow and reverse signs of ageing.
There is little to no downtime after superficial peels and you will immediately look more glowing, dewy and refreshed. We recommend coming for a peel every 2 weeks to treat acne, 3 weeks for pigmentation and 4 weeks for skin rejuvenation. Once we have helped treat your concerns we will advise a peel every 4 weeks. We are using AlumierMD chemical peel products.
Alumier Glow Peel
A light, brightening resurfacing solution that improves the signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation. Glow peel combines lactic and salicylic acid and resorcinol and its strength can be customised by the number of layers applied.
Alumier Radiant 20/10
A powerful combination of alpha (lactic acid) and beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) resurfacing peel that both rejuvenates skin and reduces signs of acne. Radiant 20/10 peel targets acne pimples, and large pores by exfoliating dead skin and speeding skin turnover.
Alumier Radiant 30
An alpha hydroxy acid resurfacing peel containing lactic acid decreases the visible signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation. This peel targets multiple skin concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration, sun damage and large pores.
Please note that you are paying for the treatment only and no guarantee is made of any outcome. Refunds cannot be given under any circumstances, as the product has been used and the service has been delivered.
Medium-depth peels
Medium depth peels are great for longer-lasting skin beauty and skin regeneration on multiple levels. These peels are penetrating into the dermis and can treat melasma, remove areas of hyperpigmentation, caused by acne scarring, or brown spots and pigmentation due to sun damage.
The Perfect Peel® by Medica Forte is a medium-depth peel which can be used on all skin types and requires no pre-peel skin preparation. The process takes less than 15 minutes and is almost pain free.
The Perfect Peel® founds itself on a key anti-aging ingredient - Glutathione. Glutathione is the ultimate antioxidant, penetrating deep into the cellular level of the skin to fight oxidant damage and is the anti-aging answer to premature wrinkling. The peel also blends glutathione, kojic acid, TCA, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, and a blend of minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C. Kojic acid is a powerful lightening agent and proven to increase collagen and elastin production, resulting in skin that is brighter and tighter. TCA, phenol and retinoic acid reduce wrinkles and correct pigment problems, while salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and reduces inflammation.
This medium-depth peel can be performed once a month for specific skin complaints, or at six to twelve month intervals for ongoing maintenance. In most cases this peel causes shedding of the skin from days 3-7 post procedure and you can normally expect around seven days of social downtime.
frequently asked questions
How long have chemical peels been used for?
What types of chemical peels are there?
Peels are classified by depth of actions – superficial, medium and deep.
- Superficial peels
These work on the upper and lower epidermis and regeneration is achieved within 3-5days. They work by breaking bonds between cells, like removing cement between bricks. These peels ususally contain glycolic and salicylic acids
- Medium peels
They work on the middle lower papillary dermis and are an effective way to correct acne scars, address uneven pigmentation, improve the texture and tone of the skin, smooth fine lines. These peels contain TCA (trichloroacetic acid) and they provide more dramatic results than superficial peels and still don't require the extended recovery time of deep peels
- Deep peels
Deep peels work on the reticular dermis and involve a longer procedure and longer recovery time which can be up to several months. They can correct damage from sun exposure or age, minimise coarse wrinkles.
Is there any aftercare after chemical peels?
To follow every chemical peel treatment, you are given an individual home treatment pack.
The Alumier aftercare pack contains SensiCalm Cleanser, Recovery Balm, Broadspectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen.
The Perfect Peel® aftercare kit contains retinol wipes and a vitamin C moisturiser to assist the peeling process and enhance your results.
What type of peel is the best?
After an in-depth skin consultation we will be able to provide you with a bespoke peel package and advise a supportive skincare, tailored to your needs.
We offer superficial to medium depth peels known for their excellent results and safety profile. We believe in repeated treatments for progressive and gradual results to avoid side effects and downtime associated with deeper peels.
Chemical peels work by deeply exfoliating the surface layers of the skin, forcing your body to quickly replenish it with new cells. When peels are performed regularly, the skin gets used to this process and begins to rejuvenate itself like younger skin.
Is my skin going to peel?
There is little to no downtime after superficial AlumierMD peels. Some minor peeling may be expected three days later, however this will look more like flakes than peeling, and will disappear in one to two days.
You can normally expect around seven days of social downtime after the medium-depth Perfect Peel® and shedding of the skin from days 3-7 post procedure.
How quickly will I see any results?
Beautiful skin doesn't happen overnight, and treatments take time to show results. A single chemical peel can provide immediate effect of bright and radiant skin, however, more significant results in treating textural issues, fine lines and inflammed acne could take up to eight weeks.
Using homecare products consistently and as directed is necessary to achieve optimal results. Just as you take time to exercise, you need to take time for your daily skincare workout regime.
Can this treatment be used on men?
Absolutely yes! Male patients benefit from chemical peels the same way as female patients and it can also help them to minimise in-growing hairs in the shaving area of the face.
How often should I have a chemical peel?
We would recommend coming for a peel every 2 weeks for acne, 3 weeks for pigmentation and 4 weeks for skin rejuvenation. Once we have helped treat your concerns we would recommend a peel every 4 weeks.
The medium-depth Perfect Peel® can be performed once a month for specific skin complaints, or at six to twelve month intervals for ongoing maintenance.