Are Chemical Peels Safe?

I was travelling on the underground to my clinic in London the other day when I overheard a conversation between a group of ladies on their way to a posh London event.  My ears pricked up as they do when I hear people discussing skin treatments.

One of the group confessed to having had a chemical peel treatment several months before, which the others seemed to be quite shocked by. Positive comments ‘oh my god, your skin does look great’ and a general grilling ensued – 'where did you go? What kind of chemical peel? Did the chemical peel hurt?'  But the one I have heard the most of in my own London clinic also popped up ‘Are chemical peels safe?’ I have always said that whoever invented the term ‘chemical peel’ was lacking somewhat in imagination. It’s true – it does what it says on the tin, but the mental image conjured up is terrifying.

A chemical peel treatment is simply the use of an acid based solution to gently lift dead dry skin cells from your face, fading out pigmentation, fine lines and improving tone and texture. The source of these acids are not from the chemistry lab. These are gentle acids derived from foods like almonds, milk, sugars, fungi. Sounding better already right?

Are chemical peels safe? Chemical peels are indeed safe – used by Egyptian Cleopatra herself in the form of lactic acid from the milk she bathed in to leave her beautiful skin silky smooth right up to the modern day inhabitants of London city still seeking that soft fresh look.

Here at London Professional Aesthetics, my personal favourite is the Perfect Peel – a medium depth chemical peel blended with glutathione – the powerhouse of antioxidants. This bi annual peel, keeps my skin where I want it to be.

The Perfect Peel, however is not for everyone. The visible peeling that occurs in the week following the treatment can leave some people feeling a little self conscious. As with all things skin, there are always options. Stepping down from the Perfect Peel, the second most popular chemical peel for our discerning London clients is the TCA. This peel has a more subtle downtime period and a slightly gentler approach. In order to get the same results, we recommend two treatments with one month in between.

Finally we have a range of super mild chemical peel and facial solution treatments which are perfect for a hassle free pick me up, think if those like a ‘results driven’ facial.

So, if you, like the group on the underground are intrigued by what a peel might do for you but really feel in the dark about the whole subject then get in touch and we can help you to separate the myth from the facts.