Facial Peels: The What, The Why and The How

Have you ever considered having a facial peel, or wondered how they work? Are you feeling confused by the number of different options available and bamboozled by jargon and extensive ingredients lists??

Well worry no more, we have the low-down to leave you feeling informed and empowered in just a five-minute read!

What is a facial peel?

A facial peel is sometimes also known as a chemical peel. It is a treatment applied to your face which removes the surface layers of the skin, to exfoliate and speed up cell turnover. The process reveals the newer skin beneath.

A facial peel is non-surgical and does not require a full anaesthetic.

Some peels penetrate the dermis more deeply than others.

Some peels also contain other skincare ingredients that work to nourish your skin, getting to work just where your skin needs it.

Why are there so many different types of peel?

The main difference between peels is how deeply they penetrate your skin: your epidermis and dermis. Some work only on the superficial surface layers, some work at a medium depth and others work at a deeper level.

This diagram shows the different layers of the dermis:

Each peel will have benefits to the appearance of your skin, but the deeper the peel, the bigger the changes you will see. However, a deeper peel will have a longer down time (recovery time) as your skin heals post-treatment.
This diagram from SkinTech shows the depth at which different peels work within the dermis:

What skin conditions can skin peels help?

Peels are effective on a wide range of skin complaints and signs of ageing, from acne to pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles to scarring. Whatever your age or skin condition, there is a peel that will suit your skin.

Why are some peels more expensive than others?

It all comes down to the ingredients and the related skincare regime.
Some treatments are a one-off with a single application and no pre- or post-treatment skincare. These treatments typically have no down time (recovery time) and act only on the very outer layers of your epidermis.
In contrast, deeper peels will contain prescription-only ingredients. They may also require a preparatory skincare regime, and also post-treatment skincare, to see the best results. These more involved treatments can only be administered by a qualified medical professional, but they will give more significant results.

What is the best peel for me?

Ultimately the best peel for you will come down to a combination of three things: what is suitable for your skin, the results you want to achieve, and how much down-time you are prepared to experience. This is why we insist on a full consultation with Dr. Mayoni if you are considering a medium to deep peel. At this consultation, Dr. Mayoni will assess your skin and talk through the best options for you. This will take into account factors such as your skin’s condition, your skin colouring and any existing skin complaints, for example acne, rosacea or excess pigmentation. It is also your opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Dr. Mayoni can then put together a tailor-made plan for you so that you can achieve the results you want.

How effective can a non-surgical treatment really be?

Skin peels are a great non-surgical skin rejuvenation technique. They can achieve truly remarkable results as these before and after images from SkinTech’s Deep Peel show:

What peels are available at The Clinic?

Here at The Clinic, we offer a range of facial peels, from superficial depth peels through to deep peels. Click here to see our full peels range.
And if you’d like to find out more, why not contact us to book in for a full consultation with Dr. Mayoni.