Chemical Peels in London

A chemical peel at Harley Street Aesthetics in London costs £149 per session, or £399 for a course of three sessions. The £399 is the total for all three peels, saving £48 compared with booking them individually. Your clinician selects the peel type and strength at consultation, so the price covers a peel chosen for your skin rather than a fixed menu option.

Chemical peels can be good for your face when the peel is matched to your skin type and concern. They can help brighten dull skin, even out tone, reduce congestion and soften fine lines. Problems usually arise when a peel is too strong for the skin or aftercare is not followed, which is why a clinician assessment comes first.

The main negatives of a chemical peel are temporary redness, stinging, tightness and flaking, plus increased sun sensitivity for several weeks. Less commonly, peels can cause breakouts, prolonged redness or temporary dark patches, particularly in darker skin. Infection and scarring are rare. Results also build gradually, so most concerns need a course rather than one session.

Chemical peel results typically last several weeks to a few months after a superficial peel, and longer after a course or a medium-depth peel. How long they last depends on sun protection, skincare and natural ageing. Many people maintain results with a peel every one to three months, and daily SPF helps protect the improvement.

A chemical peel usually feels warm, tingling or stinging rather than painful, and the sensation eases once the peel is neutralised or removed. Superficial peels are generally well tolerated. Medium-depth peels feel more intense for a few minutes, and your clinician will use cooling and pacing to keep you comfortable. Skin may feel tight or tender for a day or two.

There is no single best age for a chemical peel, because the choice depends on your skin concern rather than your age. Adults in their twenties often choose peels for acne and congestion, while those in their thirties and beyond may want help with pigmentation, sun damage and fine lines. We treat adults aged 18 and over after consultation.

A chemical peel is often worth it for pigmentation, dullness, congestion and early sun damage, particularly as a course with good sun protection. It is less effective for deep scarring, loose skin or deep wrinkles, where other treatments may suit you better. Your clinician will tell you at consultation whether a peel is likely to meet your goals.

Most people need a course of three to six superficial chemical peels, spaced two to four weeks apart, to see a noticeable change in pigmentation, acne or texture. A course of three at our clinic costs £399 in total. Medium-depth peels are repeated less often, usually after several months, and your clinician will plan the number of sessions with you.

Yes, many people with darker skin can have a chemical peel safely, but peel choice and preparation are important. Darker skin is more prone to temporary dark patches after inflammation, so your clinician will usually favour superficial acids such as mandelic, lactic or salicylic, may recommend a preparation phase, and will stress strict daily SPF before and after treatment.

After a chemical peel, avoid sun exposure, picking or pulling peeling skin, saunas, steam rooms and intense exercise for the first few days. Pause exfoliating acids, scrubs and retinol-type products until your clinician says it is safe to restart. Use a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and broad-spectrum SPF 50 every day while your skin heals.