What is a chemical peel and how does it work?
A chemical peel is a skin treatment in which your doctor applies an acid solution to clean skin for a few minutes, then neutralises or removes it. The acid loosens the bonds between dull, damaged surface cells, so they shed over the following days and fresher, more even skin replaces them. Peels come in three depths: light peels work on the very top layer with little downtime, medium peels reach a little deeper for lines and scars, and deep peels need weeks of healing. The peels on our menu are light and medium, and your doctor sets the strength for your skin.
Chemical peel benefits
- A more even tone: dark spots, acne marks and tan fade over a course.
- Clearer pores: oil and dead cells loosened, so fewer breakouts form.
- Smoother texture: rough patches and fine lines softened as skin renews.
- Quick visits: a face peel takes about 20 minutes.
- Little downtime: most people go back to work the same day.
- Face and body: peels for the neck, underarms, hands, back and more.
Which chemical peel is right for me?
The right peel depends on what you want to change and how much downtime you can take. Light peels suit pigmentation, acne and dullness with almost no time off, while a medium TCA peel goes deeper for fine lines and acne scars. At your free consultation, your doctor matches the peel to your skin and may alternate peels over a course.
| Peel | Best for | Downtime |
|---|---|---|
| Glycolic acid peel | Dull skin, uneven tone, mild pigmentation and fine lines | Redness for a few hours |
| Salicylic acid peel | Pimples, blackheads, oily skin and back acne | Mild flaking for a few days |
| Glutathione peel | Dull skin and sun-darkened patches | Mild flaking for a few days |
| Pumpkin and papaya peel | Sun tan and dull skin; a gentle fruit-enzyme peel | Mild redness for hours |
| TCA peel | Fine lines, sun damage and acne scars | Peeling for 1–2 weeks |
| Carbon laser facial | Oily skin, open pores and a glow before an event; a laser, not an acid | None |
| Underarm whitening | Dark underarms, with peels or pico laser | Little: mild redness |
Chemical peel for pigmentation and acne
For pigmentation, light peels such as glycolic and glutathione fade sun spots, acne marks and uneven tone a little more with each session, usually alongside a brightening cream and daily sunscreen; melasma needs an ongoing plan, often with a pico laser too. For acne and pimples, a salicylic acid peel dissolves into oil, unblocks the pores and calms breakouts on the face, chest and back. Deeper acne scars respond better to a TCA peel or microneedling than to light peels.
Chemical peel before and after
Most people see fresher, brighter skin within a few days of a light peel, once any flaking settles, and changes in marks, pores and tone build over a course. In a study of 50 people with mild to moderate acne, salicylic or TCA peels every two weeks for 12 weeks cut their spots significantly, with no serious side effects. Our patients share their own results in the videos below.
Chemical peel price in Pakistan
A chemical peel costs from Rs 4,995 a session, the same at all 12 of our clinics.
Face
Our most popular peel, for tone, marks, acne or glow
Rs 5,995 per session
Face and neck
The neck alone is Rs 4,995
Rs 7,995 per session
Underarms
Hands are also Rs 5,995
Rs 5,995 per session
Back
For back acne and marks; the chest is Rs 9,995
Rs 14,995 per session
3 face peels Save Rs 3,597
About Rs 4,800 a visit; every area has a 3-peel price
Rs 17,985 Rs 14,388 for the course
Free consultation first · Any current offer is explained at the clinic
Peels are priced by the area treated. BioRePeel, a premium TCA-based peel with little visible peeling, is Rs 15,000 a session.
Who shouldn’t have a chemical peel?
A chemical peel should wait if your skin is sunburnt, broken or infected, or you have an active cold sore. Tell your doctor if you take or recently took isotretinoin (Roaccutane), are pregnant or breastfeeding, use prescription skin creams, or have had dark marks after cuts, waxing or past treatments.
Your chemical peel, step by step
- Free consultation: your doctor checks your skin and picks the peel and strength.
- Preparation: you may use a brightening cream at home for a couple of weeks first.
- Cleanse: the skin is cleansed and degreased so the peel works evenly.
- Peel: the acid is applied for a few minutes, then neutralised; about 20 minutes for the face.
- Course: light peels are repeated every 2–4 weeks, usually three to six times.
Results and recovery
After a light peel your skin may feel tight and look a little pink for a few hours, and some people have fine flaking for a few days, which you should let fall away on its own; most people go back to work the same day, while a TCA peel peels more visibly for one to two weeks. Results build over the course and last for months with daily sunscreen and an occasional top-up peel.
Aftercare
- Light make-up from the next day
- Let flaking skin fall away; don’t pick it
- Pause retinol and scrubs for 3–5 days
- Wear sunscreen every day
Why choose Cutera Aesthetics
- Doctor-led: your peel is chosen, applied and followed up by our qualified doctors.
- Free consultation: an honest assessment and a clear plan before you commit to anything.
- Chemical peels near you: at all 12 clinics in 7 cities, at the same price. Find your nearest clinic.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels: Overview. What light, medium and deep peels treat.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels: FAQs. Healing time, number of peels and aftercare.
- 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.
- Dayal S, Singh S, Sahu P. Efficacy and safety of 25% trichloroacetic acid peel versus 30% salicylic acid peel in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a comparative study. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2021; 11(3): e2021063.
