Facials & skin
Chemical peels
Peels for dull, uneven-looking or breakout-prone skin, from gentler options to stronger ones, chosen for your skin.
At a glance
- Appointment
- Varies
- We'll tell you how long to allow when you book
- Options
- Ten peels
- For the face, and some for the body
- Downtime
- Up to 2 weeks
- A few days for most peels; longer for a medium-depth peel
- Course
- A series
- Often every 2 to 4 weeks
- Best for
- Tone and texture
- Dullness, uneven texture, breakouts
- Price from
- £99
- Free 20-minute consultation
Written using information from the American Academy of Dermatology, the British Association of Dermatologists, the Mesoestetic and published research. Last reviewed October 2026. How we wrote this page
What chemical peels are
A chemical peel is an acid solution applied to the skin. It removes damaged outer layers, so fresher-looking skin can come through as it heals.
We offer ten peels, from gentler options to stronger ones, and we'll recommend one at your consultation based on your skin, its history and what you'd like to change. Some can also be used on the body.
Peels work on how your skin looks. Glycolic, salicylic and TCA peels are well studied; others have little published research, and we'll be honest with you about that.
| Option | What it is | Typical course |
|---|---|---|
| BioRePeel | A TCA-based peel combined with other acids, designed by the maker to cause less visible peeling than a traditional TCA peel | Planned with you |
| PRX-T33 | TCA with hydrogen peroxide. In a very small study, it improved the look of tone and texture without visible peeling | 4 peels, a week apart, in the study |
| Glycolic peel | An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel, for dull or uneven-looking skin and breakouts | Usually every 2 weeks or so |
| Salicylic peel | A beta hydroxy acid (BHA) peel, often used for blackheads and whiteheads | 3 to 6 peels, 2 to 4 weeks apart |
| Algae peel | Usually based on tiny natural spicules massaged into the skin | Planned with you |
| Pumpkin peel | An enzyme peel made with pumpkin | Planned with you |
| Acne peel | A peel for breakout-prone skin, also on our acne-prone skin page | Planned with you |
| Eclado Wine Peel | A peel from the Eclado range | Planned with you |
| Medium-depth TCA peel | A stronger trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel, for sun damage and lines. Skin is red and swollen at first, then crusts and peels as it heals | Planned with you |
| Cosmelan peel | A depigmenting mask from Mesoestetic for dark patches, put on in clinic and left on at home for the time your practitioner sets, followed by a home skincare routine. It has little published research | One treatment, then the home routine |
Who it’s for
Adults only
Treatment is only for adults aged 18 and over.
Often a good fit if you
- feel your skin looks dull, or its tone or texture looks uneven
- have breakout-prone skin, with blackheads or whiteheads
- are starting to notice early signs of sun damage
- are happy to plan a few days around light flaking
Not suitable, or we’ll wait, if you
- have a cold sore or skin infection in the area
- have a tan or sunburn
- have taken isotretinoin, a prescription acne medicine, recently
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Peels can cause dark or light patches, and this risk is higher in deeper skin tones. We assess your skin carefully first, and may suggest a gentler option.
What happens on the day
-
Step 1: Consultation and skin check
We talk through what you'd like to change, go through your medical history and look closely at your skin, including how it has reacted to past treatments. Then we suggest the peel that suits it.
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Step 2: Preparing your skin
Your skin is cleansed so the peel can work evenly.
-
Step 3: The peel
The peel is applied and left for the time your skin needs. You may feel tingling, stinging or burning while it works.
-
Step 4: Straight afterwards
Your skin may look red and feel tight. You'll get aftercare advice for your treatment.
Recovery and results
Following your aftercare matters: most serious problems after a peel happen when aftercare isn't followed.
-
The first few days
Redness and tightness are normal.
-
Within a week
With some peels, light flaking follows the redness for 3 to 7 days. Healing usually takes 1 to 7 days.
-
Up to 2 weeks
After a medium-depth TCA peel, skin is red and swollen for the first couple of days, then crusts and peels, healing in 7 to 14 days. Make-up can usually go on after 5 to 7 days.
-
Once healed
Your skin may look fresher and more even.
-
Over a course
Results build with a series of peels, for example every 2 to 4 weeks. We'll suggest a plan for your skin.
Aftercare
Please do
- Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sun cream every day, and keep out of strong sun: sun on newly peeled skin can cause dark patches.
- Keep your skincare simple and gentle while your skin heals.
- Get in touch if redness lasts longer than a week, or your skin becomes increasingly sore, hot or swollen.
| Avoid | For |
|---|---|
| Picking or peeling flaking skin | Until healed |
| Make-up | Until healed, or as we advise |
| Retinol, acids and exfoliating products | As we advise |
Risks and side effects
- Common and expected
- Redness, tightness, stinging and light flaking for a few days.
- Less common
- Redness that lasts longer, dryness, or temporary darkening of the skin.
- Rare but serious
- Lasting changes in skin colour and, very rarely, scarring.
- Your skin tone
- Acid peels can leave dark patches after healing, especially in deeper skin tones. We take this into account in your plan, and may suggest preparing your skin first or a different peel. The risk of lasting dark or light patches is higher with a medium-depth peel.
Worried after your treatment?
If anything about your skin worries you, contact us straight away on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp) or call 07532 895989.
Prices
Chemical peels
Per session unless stated
Face
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| BioRePeel | £109 |
| Algae peel | £99 |
| Pumpkin peel | £109 |
| Acne peel | £119 |
| Eclado Wine Peel | £99 |
| PRX-T33 | £139 |
| Glycolic peel | £109 |
| Salicylic peel | £109 |
| Medium-depth TCA peel | £149 |
| Cosmelan peel For pigmentation, with a home routine afterwards. Per treatment | £399 |
Body
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| BioRePeel | £189 |
| Algae peel, underarms | £99 |
| Algae peel, stretch marks on the abdomen | £119 |
| Algae peel, other areas | £199 |
| Acne peel | £189 |
Your 20-minute consultation is free. We’ll confirm your final price and plan before any treatment.
Your questions
Which peel is right for me?
It depends on your skin, its history and what you'd like to change. We'll recommend one at your consultation.
Will my skin peel?
It depends on the peel. Some, such as BioRePeel and PRX-T33, are designed to cause little visible peeling. Others may cause light flaking for a few days.
How much downtime is there?
Usually a few days of redness, then light flaking with some peels, healing within about a week. A medium-depth TCA peel takes longer, healing in 7 to 14 days.
How many sessions will I need?
Peels usually work best as a series, for example glycolic peels every 2 weeks or so, or 3 to 6 salicylic peels 2 to 4 weeks apart. We'll suggest a plan at your consultation.
Are peels suitable for deeper skin tones?
They can be, with care. Peels can cause pigment changes, so we assess your skin first and may suggest a gentler option.
Can I have a peel if I'm pregnant?
Salicylic acid peels aren't recommended in pregnancy. As a precaution, we don't give any peels during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Can a peel help with stretch marks?
We offer an algae peel for stretch marks on the abdomen. Stretch marks are hard to change, and we found no published research on peels for them, so we can't promise a result. We'll talk it through honestly at your consultation.
Related treatments
-
Microneedling
Gradual, collagen-building treatment for acne scars, uneven texture and fine lines.
From £99
-
ProHydra facial
A facial that uses water and gentle suction to cleanse and exfoliate, for smooth-feeling skin.
From £109
-
LED light therapy
A gentle light treatment, used alongside your skincare or after a facial or peel.
From £29
How we wrote this page
Written using information from the American Academy of Dermatology, the British Association of Dermatologists, the Mesoestetic and published research. Last reviewed October 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels FAQs
- American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels: overview
- PubMed Central. Trichloroacetic acid peeling for treating photoaging: a systematic review
- PubMed Central. Comparative study of 25% trichloroacetic acid and 30% salicylic acid peels in mild to moderate acne
- British Association of Dermatologists. Cosmetic dermatology
- PubMed Central. Glycolic acid peel therapy: a current review
- PubMed Central. Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- PubMed Central. Treatment of mild to moderate facial chrono- and photodamage with a novel intense liquid trichloroacetic acid peel
- Aesthetic Cosmetology and Medicine. Effect of biomicroneedling and active ingredients on skin parameters in women with visible signs of ageing: pilot study
- Mesoestetic. Cosmelan treatment
This page is general information, not medical advice. At your consultation, we'll talk through what's right for you.
Have a question about chemical peels?
Message us on WhatsApp, give us a call or send an enquiry with the form. Your 20-minute consultation is free, at our clinic on 8 Commerce Road, Wood Green.
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