Carbon Hollywood Peel

The Carbon Hollywood Peel is a two-phase laser facial using a carbon lotion applied to the skin followed by laser delivery that explosively vaporises the carbon particles. The process exfoliates dead skin cells, deep-cleans pores, reduces sebum production, and stimulates collagen — leaving the skin immediately brighter with a finer-pored, more even-toned appearance.

The Carbon Hollywood Peel — also known as the carbon laser facial or China Doll peel — is a non-ablative laser treatment that uses carbon particles as a laser-absorbing chromophore to achieve exfoliation, pore tightening, and skin brightening without causing visible skin injury or requiring significant downtime. The procedure is suitable for a wide range of skin types, including darker Fitzpatrick skin types where conventional ablative lasers carry higher pigmentation risk. The treatment begins with thorough skin cleansing, after which a thin, even layer of pharmaceutical-grade activated carbon lotion is applied across the face and allowed to penetrate into the pores for several minutes. Activated carbon has a strong affinity for sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and debris within the follicle; as it sits on and within the pores, it draws these impurities toward the skin surface. The practitioner then passes a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (typically at 1064nm) across the skin in two sequential phases. In the first pass at lower fluence, the laser energy is selectively absorbed by the carbon particles on the skin surface, heating the uppermost layer of the stratum corneum gently without vaporisation. This pre-heating primes the dermal collagen for remodelling. In the second pass at higher fluence, the carbon particles absorb the laser energy rapidly and explosively vaporise — a controlled micro-blast that mechanically dislodges dead cells, oxidised sebum, and the carbon itself from the pores. This exfoliative action leaves the skin surface clean, smooth, and temporarily tightened. Beyond surface exfoliation, the laser energy that penetrates past the carbon layer induces mild dermal heating, stimulating fibroblast activity and collagen remodelling over the weeks following treatment. Regular sessions — typically four to six for a full course — progressively refine skin texture, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, regulate sebum production (making it particularly effective for oily and acne-prone skin), and even out superficial pigmentation. There is no redness, peeling, or recovery time; patients can return to activities immediately after the procedure.