Chemical Peel (pHformula)

Medical-grade chemical peel using the pHformula resurfacing system — a physician-only treatment that combines acid blends with active corrective serums targeting pigmentation, acne, ageing, or rosacea depending on the formulation selected.

The pHformula chemical peel at Bona Dea uses a professional-grade resurfacing system developed in Spain and available exclusively through medical practitioners. Unlike single-acid peels, pHformula employs a layered protocol that combines specific acid blends (glycolic, lactic, salicylic, pyruvic, and mandelic acids in varying concentrations) with targeted active corrective complexes — each formulation designed for a specific skin concern: pigmentation irregularity (M.E.L.A.), acne and seborrhoea (A.C.), chronological and photo-ageing (A.G.E.), or sensitive skin and rosacea (S.H.I.N.E.). The physician selects the appropriate pHformula protocol after assessing the patient's skin type, concerns, and history. The treatment begins with thorough cleansing and degreasing of the skin, followed by application of the selected resurfacing solution. The acid blend is left on the skin for a controlled duration (typically 5 to 15 minutes depending on the formulation strength and the patient's skin response), during which the physician monitors the skin closely for the desired frost or erythema response before neutralisation. A single peel takes approximately 30 minutes. Patients typically experience warmth, tingling, and mild stinging during the active phase — intensity varies with the acid concentration and the patient's sensitivity. Post-treatment, the skin may appear pink or flushed for several hours. Over the following 3 to 5 days, superficial peeling or flaking occurs as the treated epidermal layers shed, revealing fresher, more even-toned skin beneath. Bona Dea typically recommends a course of 4 to 6 peels spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart for cumulative results, though even a single session can produce noticeable improvement in skin clarity and texture. The pHformula system is suitable for most skin types including darker tones (Fitzpatrick IV-V) when the appropriate formulation is selected — a significant advantage over stronger TCA or phenol peels that carry higher pigmentation risk.