How A Chemical Peel Works

A chemical peel? Sounds scary right? No, not at The Pampered Cow, it is a safe and effective treatment. There are many different types of "Chemical Peels" on the market today. At The Pampered Cow, I specialise in a professional grade chemical peel by dermalogica that is clinically proven to deliver results.

The Dermalogica Pro Power Peel is a superficial peel, meaning it works on the outermost layers of your skin. It’s designed to gently exfoliate, brighten, and refresh the surface without causing significant downtime. It’s great for addressing concerns like dullness, fine lines, and uneven texture, all while being safe and comfortable for most skin types.

In contrast, a TCA peel is a deeper, medium-depth peel that penetrates further into the skin. It’s typically used for more intensive concerns, like deep wrinkles or significant scarring, but it can come with more downtime, redness, and peeling. The Pro Power Peel offers fantastic results with less recovery time, making it an excellent option for clients who want noticeable improvements without a long healing process

I have been trained by Dermalogica and assessed at their training centres to be able to perform this safely for my clients. In the Dermalogica Pro Power Peel range, there are three types of peels, depending on your skin's requirements. The specific type of peel will be selected for you during our skin analysis to target your skin's goals:

Ultra Bright Peel

The Ultra bright peel is designed to refresh and brighten your skin with a gentle yet powerful exfoliation with lactic acid. This peel works deeper than surface exfoliation to hydrate and even out your skin tone. It is perfect for reducing early signs of ageing and giving your complexion a radiant, healthy glow.

Key Points:

• Purpose: Designed to brighten dull skin, hydrate deeply, and even out skin tone.

• Key Ingredient: Contains Lactic Acid, a gentle exfoliant that promotes hydration while targeting early signs of aging.

• Benefits: Enhances skin radiance, smooths uneven tone, and provides a healthy, refreshed glow.

• Ideal For: Clients with dull, dehydrated skin or those seeking a gentle, brightening treatment.

Advanced Renewal Peel

This peel is more focused on resurfacing, smoothing texture, and targeting more advanced signs of aginglike fine lines. It uses Glycolic Acid which penetrates deeper than lactic acid, making it more intensive and better for rejuvenation renewal. This advanced treatment stimulates cell renewal to smooth and rejuvenate your complexion. Ideal for targeting signs of ageing, it leaves your skin feeling refreshed, youthful, and revitalised.

Key Points:

• Purpose: Specifically designed to target advanced signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture.

• Key Ingredient: Contains Glycolic Acid, a powerful exfoliant that penetrates deeply to resurface the skin and promote cell renewal.

• Benefits: Improves skin elasticity, smooths texture, and leaves the skin looking rejuvenated and youthful.

• Ideal For: Clients with mature or textured skin who want noticeable anti-aging results.

Power Clear Peel

Specially formulated for acne-prone and oily skin, this advanced treatment uses Salicylic Acid and Mandelic Acid to target blemishes, clear clogged pores, and reduce inflammation. Ideal for improving skin clarity and calming redness, it’s the perfect solution for clearer, healthier-looking skin.

• Purpose: Designed to target breakouts, acne-prone skin, and inflammation. It’s perfect for calming redness and helping with post-inflammatory marks.

• Key Ingredients:

  • Salicylic Acid: Works to clear clogged pores and reduce blemishes.

  • Mandelic Acid: Gently exfoliates to even out skin tone and reduce redness.

• Benefits: Reduces active breakouts, soothes irritated skin, and improves overall clarity.

• Ideal For: Clients dealing with acne, oily skin, or persistent redness who need a treatment that’s effective yet gentle.

How Does The Peel Actually Work?

Think of your skin like layers. The peel works by gently removing the dull, pigmented top layer of skin cells using specialised acids. This process helps to break down areas of darker pigmentation and uneven tone, while encouraging fresh, new skin cells to come to the surface.

It's like giving your skin a fresh start - removing the old, damaged cells to reveal the brighter, more evenly-toned skin underneath. The treatment also helps your other skincare products work better because they can penetrate more effectively.

You'll notice your skin looking brighter and feeling smoother right away, but the real magic happens over a course of treatments. I usually recommend a series of 3-6 treatments for the best results, although this is client dependent, especially if you're dealing with stubborn pigmentation or uneven skin tone.

After each treatment, your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight, so using a good SPF is absolutely essential - but I'll give you all the aftercare advice you need after the treatment.

How I Perform the Dermalogica Pro Power Peel Treatment

You will be patch tested 24-48hrs prior to the service, and I will conduct a full consultation and require a signed authorisation form of consent before the treatment begins.

Each treatment begins with a personalised skin analysis to understand your unique needs and determine the best plan for both the session and your ongoing skincare journey. Your treatment will typically include:

• A thorough double cleanse to prepare your skin.

• A detailed face mapping to identify key areas of concern.

• Skin preparation- Degrease to optimise your skin for the peel.

• Application of your customised Pro Power Peel. Peels may be layered to address multiple skin concerns, but no more than 2.

• 1-2 minutes to track your sensations and either neutralise or continue with another layer of peel

Depending on your skin’s sensitivity and needs, I may apply up to 4 layers of the peel to the face, only ever a maximum of two layers to the neck. For more reactive skin, a single layer may be sufficient. Throughout the treatment, I will maintain open communication to ensure your comfort and monitor your skin’s response. Once the desired effect is achieved, I will neutralise your skin’s pH to restore balance and ensure optimal results.

Post Care

After your treatment, I will ensure you have the sufficient after care advice to allow you to look after your skin and avoid any contra actions. I will write you a proposed treatment plan and prescribe you a free post procedure kit that will be used 2-3 days following the treatment to ensure optimum results.

FAQ

Will My Skin Peel?

Normal Reactions:
Post-treatment, you may experience mild redness, tightness, or dryness for a few days. This is a completely normal response, and every client’s skin will react differently to the treatment. The absence of visible peeling does not mean the treatment hasn’t worked. Instead of focusing on whether your skin peels, pay attention to how it feels—does it feel smoother and more refined? Results can take up to a week to fully develop.

It’s also normal for pigmentation to appear darker in the days following your treatment. This happens as pigmented cells rise to the surface before gently sloughing away, revealing brighter, more even-toned skin beneath.

Potential Peeling:
Light flaking in certain areas may occur as your skin renews itself, but it should not be extreme or uncomfortable. Peeling is not the primary goal of the treatment but rather a possible side effect. Rest assured, the treatment is working to enhance your skin’s texture and radiance, whether peeling occurs or not.

Can a chemical peel be applied around my eyes?

Yes and no. I wouldn’t recommend using the Pro Power Peel directly around your eyes, as this area is much too sensitive and the skin is quite different from the rest of your face. However, if you're specifically looking for a peel treatment for the under-eye area, I can offer the Pro Power Eye Peel, which is designed exclusively for this delicate region.

This targeted treatment can be added as an additional enhancement to your core peel service for a more tailored experience.

Does the Dermalogica Pro Power Peel damage the skin barrier?
No, the Dermalogica Pro Power Peel is professionally formulated to deliver effective exfoliation while being safe for your skin when applied correctly. Each peel is pH-balanced and designed to resurface the skin without over-stripping or compromising its barrier.

However, it’s normal to experience some redness or mild sensitivity after the treatment, as your skin adjusts to the exfoliation process. This is temporary and should subside within a day or two with proper aftercare.

To ensure your skin stays healthy and radiant:

• Treatments are customized to suit your skin’s specific needs and tolerance levels.

• A proper consultation is conducted beforehand to determine if the peel is suitable for you.

• Aftercare is key to protecting your skin post-treatment. This includes using a gentle cleanser, avoiding harsh skincare products (like retinol or strong acids), and applying sunscreen daily.

When performed by a trained professional and paired with appropriate aftercare, the Pro Power Peel works to strengthen and renew your skin, leaving it smoother, brighter, and healthier

contraindications

• Recent surgery or scar tissue

• Open wounds/abrasions/sunburn

• Bruises/swelling

• Undiagnosed lumps or lesions

• Eczema or psoriasis

• Broken bones or injuries

• High temperature

• Cardiovascular conditions

• Neurological diseases

pre-treatment guidelines

• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

• Viral infections such as colds, flu, herpes simplex

• Bacterial infections such as impetigo, conjunctivitus

• Fungal infections such as ringworm or Pityriasis Versicolor

• Parasitic infections such as scabies or head lice

• HIV

• Epilepsy