Resurfacing · MorpethChemical Peels in Morpeth, Northumberland

What a peel actually does

A chemical peel uses acids to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so the surface sheds faster than it would naturally. That clears congestion, lifts superficial pigmentation, smooths texture and lets everything you apply afterwards work better. Deeper formulations reach into the dermis and stimulate collagen as well.

Choosing the acid

• Lactic and mandelic — gentle, hydrating, safe on sensitive and darker skin
• Glycolic — the workhorse for dullness, texture and early ageing
• Salicylic — oil-soluble, gets into the pore, the choice for congestion and acne
• Blended medical-grade formulations for pigmentation and photodamage

Which one you get is decided at consultation after a proper look at your skin, not chosen from a menu. Skin type, Fitzpatrick, medication, previous reactions and what you are using at home all change the answer.

Building tolerance

We start conservatively and step up. A first peel at a strength your barrier cannot handle causes irritation, post-inflammatory pigmentation and a fortnight of repair work — which is slower than going carefully in the first place. Most protocols run as three to six peels spaced two to four weeks apart.

What to expect afterwards

Light peels: a slight tightness and a fresher look the next day, with little or no visible flaking. Medium: two to five days of flaking, often starting around day three. Either way SPF is non-negotiable for a fortnight, and no retinol or acids at home for five days.

Prep and pigmentation

For pigmentation and melasma, what you use for the four weeks before a peel matters as much as the peel itself. We will set a homecare protocol at consultation, and we would rather delay a treatment than peel skin that has not been prepared.

From the journal

• Hydrafacial or chemical peel?

All articles