Glycolic Acid Chemical Peel

The Glycolic Acid Peel is suitable for all skin types and tones. It is particularly beneficial for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin, dry or dehydrated skin, sun-damaged skin, ageing skin with fine lines or early wrinkles, uneven tone or texture, dullness and loss of radiance.

It is highly recommended for first-time peel clients with combination to dry skin, as well as those looking to address ageing concerns, acne, superficial scarring or pigmentation issues.

We begin with a skin assessment and a double cleanse. Your skin is then prepared with a special pre-peel solution to help the glycolic acid penetrate evenly. A protective balm is applied around your eyes, lips and the sides of your nose for maximum safety.

I then apply the glycolic acid peel, selecting the product based on your skin assessment and adjusting the contact time to your skin’s needs and tolerance. During this stage, you may feel mild warmth or tingling for just a few minutes before we move on to neutralizing the peel.

Next, I apply a specialized treatment serum, which may be combined with a Skin Tool to support deeper absorption and maximize results. This is followed by a mask selected for your skin’s needs to hydrate, nourish and soothe.

We finish with eye care, moisturizer, sunscreen for daytime appointments and lip balm.

During the week before your session, stop using skincare products containing AHA/BHA or retinol, as well as scrubs and self-tanning products. The same applies to hair removal, including waxing, laser and electrolysis, and other facial treatments.

For the 48 hours before your appointment, avoid sun exposure, tanning beds and anything that irritates your skin.

In some cases, stronger glycolic peels may require preparation with skincare products and/or gentler treatment sessions to ensure your skin is properly prepared.

Keep your skincare simple, with gentle cleansing and plenty of hydration, and follow the personalized recovery routine I recommend.

Protect the treated area from the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, following your aftercare instructions. Sun protection remains important beyond the first few days.

For the first 24 hours, avoid makeup, activities that make you sweat, steam rooms and saunas. Keep your face away from sources of heat, such as a hairdryer.

For the first 10 days after your peel, do not rub your skin or pick at any flaking areas. Avoid scrubs, acids, retinol, hair removal and other treatments until you are advised that you can resume them.

You don’t need to remember everything: we’ll go through it at your appointment, and you’ll also receive detailed instructions by email.

Recovery depends on the strength of the application and how your skin responds.

A light Glycolic Acid Peel usually involves no downtime. Stronger peels may cause mild redness, tightness, dryness or flaking for a few days, although the absence of visible peeling does not mean the treatment hasn’t worked.

For more consistent improvement in texture, dullness or uneven tone, I may recommend an initial course of 4–6 sessions.

The intervals are determined by the specific peel and your skin’s response, allowing enough time for recovery—usually two weeks.

After the initial course, we assess the results together and discuss whether and when maintenance is needed. As a general guide, lighter peels can be carried out monthly, while deeper peels can be scheduled every 6–9 months.