Clifton / DHA
Closest to you4.8(984)
3rd Floor, 4C, Khayaban-e-Tanzeem, Tauheed Commercial Area, DHA Phase-5
How does a glycolic acid peel work?
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and has the smallest molecule of its family, so it passes easily into the top layer of skin. There it loosens the bonds holding dull, dead cells together, so they shed and fresh, radiant skin shows through.
Your doctor applies it for a few minutes, then neutralises it to stop it working. Each peel is light, so you carry on with your day while results build over a course. It suits dullness, fine lines and mild pigmentation, but not deep wrinkles or deep pigmentation; a TCA peel goes deeper.
Who shouldn’t have a glycolic acid peel?
It isn’t suitable with sunburn, broken or inflamed skin, an active cold sore or infection, or if you take isotretinoin (Roaccutane). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor first. Your doctor checks this at your consultation.
Your glycolic acid peel, step by step
- Free consultation: your doctor checks your skin and plans the strength and number of peels.
- Preparation: the skin is cleansed and degreased; you may use a cream at home first.
- Treatment: the acid is applied for a few minutes, then neutralised; 20–30 minutes in all.
- Course: usually 4–8 peels, 2–4 weeks apart, gently increasing the strength.
- Maintenance: an occasional top-up peel keeps your skin bright.
Results and recovery
Skin looks fresher after your first peel, and tone, marks and fine lines improve further through the course. Results last for months with daily sunscreen and occasional top-up peels.
You’ll feel tingling or mild stinging during the peel, then mild redness for a few hours, and sometimes light flaking for a few days. Temporary dark patches are uncommon, and building the strength up slowly keeps that risk low.
Aftercare
- Light make-up from the next day
- No gym, sauna or steam for 24 hours
- Pause retinol and scrubs for 3–5 days
- Wear sunscreen every day
Why choose Cutera Aesthetics
- Doctor-led: your glycolic acid peel treatment is assessed, planned and performed by our qualified doctors.
- Free consultation: an honest assessment and a clear plan before you commit to anything.
- A plan made for you: your treatment is tailored to your goals, your skin and your health.
- 12 clinics in 7 cities: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Hyderabad and Sialkot. Find your nearest clinic.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels: Overview. What peels treat.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels: FAQs. Light peels: healing time, number of peels and aftercare.
- Sharad J. Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2013; 6: 281–88.
- Soleymani T, Lanoue J, Rahman Z. A practical approach to chemical peels: a review of fundamentals and step-by-step algorithmic protocol for treatment. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2018; 11(8): 21–28.
