Skin peels improve skin texture, tone, and color by exfoliating the upper most damaged, dull layers to reveal the more beautiful, fresher and younger looking skin below. Peels vary in strength and in type, with each suited to different skin conditions and skin types. Skin peels are classified as light, medium or deep according to their depth of penetration. All skin peels at Heber Davis are performed by qualified doctors or specialized cosmetic nurses.

Skin Peels, Sydney

Light skin peels are superficial treatments that use gentle acids to freshen your skin. They restore moisture and lustre to dry skin, reduce pigmentation and freckling, improve acne, and stimulate collagen growth to help fine lines and wrinkles.

A variety of solutions are used for light peeling. The specific formula chosen for you will depend upon the characteristics of your skin and its condition.

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• Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) peels - also called fruit acid peels or lactic acid peels. Lactic acid occurs naturally in sour milk and as a 30-50% peel hydrates and freshens   your skin with minimal downtime.   It removes dull, sun damaged or abnormally pigmented cells in the skin’s uppermost layers and encourages growth of new collagen and elastin. It also deeply cleanses and refines pores to help reduce congestion and acne breakouts.
• Mandelic acid peel - is a higher concentration AHA peel that uses mandelic acid derived from almonds. It efficiently eliminates dead skin cells, unblocks pores, reduces pigmentation and evens out the complexion. This treatment is ideal for all skin types, including oily and acne prone skin and aging skin.
• Beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) peels - Salicylic acid is main ingredient in these peels. Because salicylic is oil soluble it penetrates more deeply than AHA’s in oilier skins. BHA peels deep cleanse younger oily, congested or acne prone complexions to improve skin texture and tone. Light peeling is to be expected for a few days following these deep cleansing peels.
• Vita peels – also called Jessner’s peels, this is a combination peel that includes BHAs (salicylic acid) AHAs (lactic acid) and resorcinol. Resorcinol is a derivative of phenol (a very deep peeling agent) that boosts exfoliation. Vita peels are highly recommended for those with problem pigmentation, congestion or acne and who can accept moderate peeling and downtime. 
• A-Zyme peels - a pain free, minimal downtime skin rejuvenation peel that combines the benefits of retinol (vitamin A)  with natural fruit enzymes to help improve the quality and texture of your skin.
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels 10% - Performed at lower concentrations, TCA light peels provide superficial resurfacing of the skin to improve skin texture, wrinkles, and pigmentation.  Higher concentrations can be used to spot treat troublesome blemishes.
• High strength antioxidant vitamins - though not peeling agents themselves, high strength solutions of vitamins A and C are often applied alone, or in combination with your peel, in order to plump and super hydrate your skin. They are a great skin pick me up to help get your skin into shape before a big event.
• Retinoic acid peels - retinoic acid is a vitamin A derivative that has proven anti-aging and anti-acne properties. It rejuvenates aging skin by restoring a youthful rate of cell turnover and by reversing dehydration and signs of sun damage and is sometimes used in conjunction with other peels to augment results.

Your practitioner will consult with you, discuss your goals, take a thorough medical history and photograph your skin using our computerized photographic system. We will use photography throughout the course of your treatments to monitor your progress. In order to maximize results and minimize risk, your practitioner may also recommend that you condition your skin in preparation for your course of light peels. She will prepare a home skin care programme for you that incorporates products targeted to your needs.

The peel itself - After thorough cleansing, the appropriate solution will be applied to your skin. Some peels create a warm tingling or stinging sensation. No pain relief, other than a cool fan, is needed.

The entire process takes less than an hour. You may or may not experience light flaking or slight irritation for a few days, but can usually expect to return to daily activities almost immediately. Your practitioner will give you guidelines to follow to help ensure the success of your treatment. Generally, you will be instructed to use a gentle cleanser and a bland moisturizing lotion for the first few days. You should avoid exposing the treated skin to the sun. Though improvement in skin quality and texture may be apparent after your first treatment, results accrue over the course of your treatments.

Light skin peels are ideal for those with superficial blemishes or signs of aging who want to improve their skin quality gently and gradually without the downtime associated with stronger treatments. Because these peels exfoliate the skin and unclog pores they are highly effective for improving acne.

Your practitioner will recommend a skin care programme to augment your results, containing additional AHAs, BHAs, high strength antioxidant vitamins and possibly a skin lightening agent.

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Peeling cannot be performed if you have active cold sores, open wounds, active eczema, dermatitis or rosacea in the areas to be treated. You may not be suitable for peeling if you have taken Roaccutane in the last 6-12 months, have had cancer or radiation therapy in the area to be treated, are sunburnt, have waxed the area in the previous week or have had IPL, laser or injectable treatments within the previous 2 weeks. Asian, Hispanic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or black skin may not be suitable for some peels. Peels involving high strength retinol are not recommended during pregnancy.

Light skin peels are specifically intended to be "light", gentle and safe. However, the possibility of side effects occurring whenever the skin is penetrated cannot be entirely eliminated. You should be prepared for some degree of mild irritation, redness and peeling for a few days after each treatment. You will generally be able to return to work or everyday activities almost immediately or within days of your treatment.

All skin treatments carry some risk of discomfort, bruising, redness, swelling, itching, grazing, infection, pigment changes, flaking, scarring or activation of pre-existing cold sore infections. As a rule, the deeper the peel, the longer your recovery, and the higher the chance of side effects. Following pre- and post-procedure instructions will minimize the potential for adverse side effects.

Just as the formulation of the light peel solution is customized for each patient, so too the number and spacing of the treatments varies according to individual needs. As a rough guide, 4-6 light peels spaced at 2-4 weekly intervals usually deliver impressive results.