Skin Peels Fact Sheet

The objective

A chemical skin peel is a ‘resurfacing treatment’ to reduce the effects of ageing and imperfections on the face, through the application of a ‘peeling’ agent to take away the top layers of skin, giving a ‘fresher’ appearance. Skin peels are only suitable for surface skin damage, not saggy skin.

The procedure

Chemical peels range from superficial, medium and deep, so the procedure can be carried out in about 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the treatment.

The peeling solution will be applied to the face and will be left for the appropriate amount of time. The patient may experience a burning sensation while the peel is active on the skin. After the peel solution has worked, it is neutralised with water. After a deep chemical peel, a thick coating of petroleum jelly is layered over the face about one hour later, covering the protective crust which develops rapidly over the area. The skin will blister and peel off over a few days, allowing the new skin to grow beneath.

The strongest solution (for deep peel) is phenol, other milder ones range from fruit acids to alpha hydroxy acid. A deep peel will achieve the most dramatic effects and be longer-lasting, whereas a mild peel will have minimal effects and be shorter-lasting.

The outcome

Following the procedure, there will be redness and swelling in the treated area for up to two weeks or more, depending on the depth of the peel, and there may be a dressing on the face.

Normally, you can leave the clinic a few hours after the procedure. Recovery depends on the depth of the peel. You can usually return to work within 1-2 weeks after a deep peel and resume most activities within 1-2 weeks.

The face should have a more ‘youthful’ and fresh appearance as a result of this treatment, with lines and wrinkles smoother and softer, and blemishes eased. The permanency of effects depends upon the depth of peel and natural ageing.

The risks

Complications particular to chemical skin peels, particularly deep peels, include a risk of facial scarring, delayed healing and abnormal or uneven pigmentation.

Phenol can have a bleaching effect, and patients may need to wear make-up to match treated and untreated areas. As well, the ability to tan may be impaired and you may need to permanently use sun block.

If you experience cold sores, then there may be a recurrence of them after treatment, although the chance of this can be minimised by the use of antiviral medicines.

The costs

In the UK, expect to pay from around £2,500 for a full deep peel. Abroad, expect to pay from around £2,077 (full deep peel in Belgium with overnight stay). Costs are lower for mild peels.

The availability

Chemical skin peel procedures are widely available at private cosmetic surgery clinics and specialist skincare clinics within the UK and abroad.

The popularity

Mild chemical skin peels are most popular with younger people who would like to diminish the effects of ageing before lines and wrinkles are too deep, deep peels are popular with people who have more advanced signs of ageing and would like a smoother appearance to their face or to remove ‘age spots’.