Opening treatment guide...

Light Chemical Peel | My Beauty Protocol

Correction

Light Chemical Peel

Superficial Chemexfoliation

Also known asGlycolic AcidLactic AcidSalicylic Acid

Educational info only, not medical advice. Ask a qualified provider. Disclaimer · Terms

A mild acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells.

Downtime: 2 days
Sessions: 3–6
Pain: Low
Cost per visit: Price level 2 of 5
Full course: 3–6 sessionsAsk the total price for all of them.
Results last: Builds; upkeep every 2–3 months

A light peel that can leave skin looking smoother and brighter, with little downtime.

Check first: Active skin infections, such as warts or cold sores (herpes simplex).

Will it work for me?

Skin tone

Often used on tones I–V.

On tone VI, dark or light patches are more likely. Ask your provider first.

IVery Light

IILight

IIIMedium

IVTan

VBrown

VIDeep

Often usedAsk first

General info, not a check of your own skin.

What people use it for

Tap one to see how it helps.

Skin types

Tap a profile to see what may change.

Skin types to ask about first

Dry or FlakyAsk first

Strong acids can sting and flake dry skin more. Ask your provider which peel suits dry skin.

Sensitive or Redness-proneAsk first

Needs a gentle, barrier-safe plan and careful screening.

Breakout-proneAsk first

Active breakouts in the area may need to calm down first. Ask your provider.

They differ mostly in strength and downtime.

In no special order. Ask your provider which one fits you, and why.

4 types

Ask your provider

Which one do you use, and why that one for me?
What is the total price, and what does it include?
What side effects do you see most with it, and what do you do about them?

Before and after your visit

Plan it around your lifeMakeup, sun, workouts — see what fits around your treatment.

The visit

Duration: 30–45 minutes
Total course: 2–6 months
Session interval: 2–5 weeks

What to expect, and what to avoid

Recovery

Up to 2 days of mild redness

Avoid sun

3 days

No makeup

24 hours

No sweat or heat

24 hours

Your provider may give you different timing.

Day by day

Before your visit: ask when to start
- Come with clean skin: no makeup or lotion
- Tell your provider about your medicines, allergies and health
5–7 days before
Stop retinoids, acids and scrubs for 5–7 days before
1 week before
No tanning or strong sun for 1 week before
Right after your visit
Avoid hard exercise, heat and heavy sweating for 24–48 hours
After your visit
- No direct sun
- Wear sunscreen every day
- No retinoids, acids or scrubs for 5–7 days
- Don't pick, peel or scratch
- Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer for 5–7 days
- Initial redness and a 'tight' feeling usually subside within a few hours to a day. Mild flaking or peeling may occur between days 2 and 5, which should be moisturized and not picked at. Skin will typically feel smoother and look brighter within 5-7 days.

Side effects, and who should wait

Who may want to think twice

Active skin infections, such as warts or cold sores (herpes simplex)
Open wounds or broken skin in the treatment area
Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) within the last 6-12 months
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
History of keloid or abnormal scarring
Aspirin allergy (specifically for Salicylic Acid peels)

Possible side effects

Common

Mild redness and irritation
Tingling or burning sensation during application
Dryness and light flaking or peeling for a few days
Temporary increased sun sensitivity

Less common

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), especially in darker skin tones if not performed correctly
Blistering or crusting
Scarring (very rare with superficial peels)
Reactivation of cold sores (herpes simplex virus)

Your own risks may differ. Ask a qualified provider.

How it works, and common myths

Mild acids loosen the top layer of skin, so newer cells show sooner.

A little more technical

A controlled, gentle acid solution is applied to the skin to remove the outermost layer, which in turn stimulates cell turnover and reveals smoother, more evenly pigmented skin.

Induces controlled keratolysis by disrupting intracellular bonds in the stratum corneum and epidermis. This leads to exfoliation, stimulates epidermal regeneration, reduces stratum corneum thickness, promotes more even melanin distribution, and can stimulate dermal collagen remodeling.

Material: Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acids (AHAs/BHAs); Uses gentle clinical acids like Glycolic, Lactic, or Salicylic acid to lower the skin's pH and dissolve the bonds holding dead cells together.
Mechanism category: Superficial Exfoliation; Only penetrates the uppermost layer of the epidermis (the stratum corneum) to rapidly clear out clogged pores and correct mild dullness.
Common device / product names: Glycolic Acid · Lactic Acid · Salicylic Acid · Mandelic Acid
Clinical descriptor: Superficial Chemexfoliation