Alpha Hydroxy Acid Chemical Peels

Alpha Hydroxy Acid Chemical Peels At A Glance

  • Best Results3-6 treatments
  • Treatment Recovery0-2 days
  • Procedure Time15 min
  • Skin SpecialistDermal therapist
  • Duration of Results2-8 weeks
  • AnaestheticNil required
  • Back to WorkImmediately to 1 day
  • Cost$

Alpha Hydroxy Acid Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are used to treat skin conditions such as pigmentation, melasma, acne, blackheads, enlarged pores, congestion, & oily skin. AHA peels include glycolic, lactic, citric & mandelic acids. Our team at Cutis Dermatology can tailor a chemical peel program based upon your acne & skin type to help improve your complexion and texture.

FactsFacts on AHA Chemical Peels

  • AHA peels include lactic, glycolic, malic, citric & mandelic acids
  • These compounds can be in a cream or lotion base, or a clinical peel
  • AHA peels can improve acne, blackheads, pigmentation & sun damage
  • The correct peel depends on your skin type, clinical findings & skin goals
  • Lactic acid is best for skin hydration
  • Mandelic acid is best for sensitive skin
  • Peels can be incorporated into your skin care routine
  • Treatments start from just $98
  • Glycolic acid is best for sun damage, wrinkles & dull skin

What can Alpha Hydroxy Acid Chemical Peels do for my skin?

AHA peels include glycolic, lactic, citric, malic & mandelic acids. They can –

  • Treat sun damage including sun spots & solar keratosis.
  • Treat fine wrinkles, pigmentation, blemishes, open pores.
  • Reduce pigmentation including melasma.
  • Reduce enlarged pores.
  • Improves the appearance of acne scars
  • Aids in skin hydration

* BHA peels – salicylic acid peels are better for acne & congestion as this peel is lipophilic (goes into oily better).

How do AHA peels work?

Chemical peels work as an exfoliant. By definition, AHA peels are superficial peels, meaning their action is within the top layer of skin called the epidermis. Within the AHA family, there are a glycolic, lactic, critic, malic, and mandelic acids. Glycolic acid is the smallest molecule meaning it has better penetration than larger molecules such as mandelic acid.

Glycolic acid in higher concentrations, typically 50 to 70% can stimulate cells to produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. 

Lactic acid peels are best for skin hydration as it increases the skin’s natural moisturizing factor. Chemical peels increase the turnover of skin cells, improving dullness & pigmentation.

aha-peeling
AHA peels do not have any downtime, however they are delivered in a ‘step-up’ program.

How long does it take to recover from an AHA peel?

These peels are by definition lunchtime peels. Hence recovery should be immediate. You may be a wee bit red following glycolic peels if the concentration reaches 50 to 70%. Your nurse or therapist will guide you accordingly.

What is the difference between home use AHA & clinical peels?

Buffer and pH. Home use AHA serums, lotions & creams have a higher pH, whist clinical peels have a much lower pH. AHA peels require neutralisation with water or sodium bicarbonate.

 

Davin’s Viewpoint on AHA peels

Peels are underutilized. Even though we have the very latest lasers, chemical peels are very useful in the management of many skin conditions, including sun damage, photoaging, pigmentation & acne.

Glycolic & lactic acid peels are our go to AHA peels. For patients with sensitive skin, it is either mandelic acid or enzyme peels. In this subgroup of patients, lasers are usually advised as they are even gentler than mandelic acid. A simple chemical peel routine is to incorporate these peels into your home skin care, for example a lactic acid peel every 4 to 6 weeks will keep your skin cells exfoliated.

Join the conversation

Join Dr Davin Lim on Instagram to stay up to date

@drdavinlim

Enquire now!

Get In Touch

Quick Contact

Dr Lim has unparalleled experience in dermatology. Fill in the form below and he will get back to you with your query
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.