Medical Chemical Peel

Medical chemical peels at Esthetic Medical use controlled acid application to exfoliate the outermost skin layers, stimulating cellular turnover and collagen synthesis. The clinic uses medical-cosmetics-grade peeling agents appropriate for the indication: AHA (glycolic, lactic) and TCA-based formulations for superficial-to-medium depth treatment of acne, pigment spots, fine wrinkles, and dull skin. All peels are performed under physician oversight, allowing higher active concentrations than salon treatments and more precise depth control. Consultation pricing ensures the right peel type is matched to skin phototype and concern.

Chemical peeling is one of the oldest evidence-based dermatological interventions — the controlled application of chemical agents to cause regulated epidermal or dermal wounding, followed by regeneration with improved skin quality. At Esthetic Medical, the approach is physician-led, allowing the use of higher-concentration actives and customised protocols not available in cosmetic salon settings. Superficial peels (penetrating to the stratum granulosum) use alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid (20–70%) or lactic acid, often in mandelic or pyruvic formulations. These are the workhorse for mild acne, comedone extraction, superficial pigmentation, and skin brightening. They require no pre-conditioning for most patients and carry a social downtime of 1–3 days (flaking, mild redness). A course of 4–6 sessions at monthly intervals produces cumulative collagen stimulation and progressive improvement in skin clarity. Medium-depth peels using trichloroacetic acid (TCA at 15–35%) or combination peels (Jessner's + TCA) penetrate to the papillary dermis. These address more established pigmentation (melasma, solar lentigines), moderate wrinkles, and mild acne scarring. The treatment session involves thorough degreasing, careful acid application in controlled layers, and physician assessment of frosting depth as a real-time indicator of penetration. Patients experience 5–7 days of visible skin shedding followed by fresh, pink, noticeably smoother skin. At Esthetic Medical, the selection of peel agent, concentration, and number of passes is determined at consultation based on Fitzpatrick skin phototype, the patient's concern, and prior treatment history. This physician-directed approach is critical for medium-depth peels particularly, where overpenetration risks post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — a particular concern in olive and darker skin tones. Pre-conditioning with topical retinoids and hydroquinone for 2–4 weeks before a TCA peel is discussed at the consultation and significantly improves outcome consistency.