Aesthetic medicine · Cape Town
Chemical Peels
Resurfaced, clearer, brighter skin
From R75060 min
What it is
A chemical peel applies a controlled acid solution to the skin to loosen the bonds between dead surface cells, lift them away and prompt the skin beneath to renew faster. Depending on the acid and its strength, a peel can work superficially on dullness and congestion or reach deeper to address pigmentation and texture.
Peel choice matters enormously on South African skin. Dr Allison selects the acid, strength and number of layers based on your Fitzpatrick skin type and history, because the wrong peel on richly pigmented skin can trigger the very pigmentation you came in to treat.
Who it’s for
Patients dealing with dullness, uneven tone, congestion and blackheads, active or post-acne skin, or pigmentation from sun exposure or melasma.
Peels also suit anyone wanting a straightforward, well-priced way to maintain skin quality as part of an ongoing routine.
The benefits
- Brightens dull, tired-looking skin
- Improves pigmentation and evens skin tone
- Clears congestion and reduces breakouts
- Refines texture and the appearance of pores
- Softens fine surface lines
- Helps your home-care products absorb and work better
What to expect
The process
Every appointment follows the same considered sequence, so you always know what is coming next.
Step 1
Skin consultation and priming
Your skin type, history and current products are reviewed and the right peel selected. Some skins — particularly those prone to pigmentation — are primed with home-care for two to four weeks before the first peel.
Step 2
Double cleanse and degrease
The skin is thoroughly double-cleansed and degreased so the solution penetrates evenly. Uneven prep is the most common cause of a patchy peel result, so this step is never rushed.
Step 3
Peel application
The solution is applied in measured layers and timed carefully. You'll feel warmth and tingling, which builds over the first few minutes — a small fan is on hand. Dr Allison monitors the skin's response throughout and neutralises when the endpoint is reached.
Step 4
Neutralise and protect
The peel is neutralised or removed, then soothing and barrier-supporting products are applied along with a high-factor sunscreen. You'll go home with specific aftercare and a strict instruction not to pick at flaking skin.
Step 5
Review and course planning
Skin is reviewed after two to four weeks. Peels work cumulatively, so a course of three to six spaced treatments delivers far more than any single session — the plan is set out clearly at the start.
Downtime & aftercare
What to plan for
- Downtime
- 0–5 days of flaking
- Results visible in
- 5–7 days
- Results last
- Cumulative with a course
You are welcome to contact the practice at any point if something doesn’t look or feel as expected. Individual responses vary — what to expect for your skin is discussed at your consultation.
Pricing
| Treatment | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|
| Retinol Peel | 60 min | R995 |
| Glow Peel | 60 min | R750 |
Prices are a guide and start from the amounts shown. Final pricing depends on the product and quantity your treatment plan calls for, and is confirmed at your consultation before anything goes ahead.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
The questions patients ask most often about chemical peels. If yours isn't here, ask us on WhatsApp — we're happy to answer before you book.
A controlled application of an acid solution — commonly glycolic, lactic, salicylic, mandelic or a TCA blend — that removes the outermost layers of dead skin and stimulates renewal beneath. Everything performed here is superficial to medium depth.
The acid dissolves the bonds holding dead cells to the surface. As those cells shed, the skin accelerates its own turnover, which brings up fresher cells, disperses surface pigment and stimulates a degree of collagen production.
It stings rather than hurts. Expect warmth and tingling that builds for a few minutes and then settles, with a fan available for comfort. Stronger peels feel more intense but are also timed shorter.
It varies. A superficial peel may cause nothing more than slight dryness, while a medium-depth peel typically causes light flaking from day two to day five. Whatever happens, do not pick — that is what causes pigmentation and scarring.
Skin usually looks brightest around five to seven days after treatment, once flaking has finished. Pigmentation and acne concerns need a course before the change is convincing.
Peels are maintenance rather than a one-off fix. A course of three to six treatments spaced two to four weeks apart, followed by maintenance every few months and diligent sunscreen use, is what holds the result.
Yes, with the right choice of acid and appropriate priming. Deeper skin types carry a genuine risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so Dr Allison uses gentler acids such as mandelic or lactic, primes the skin beforehand, and builds strength gradually rather than pushing depth.
No sun exposure without high-factor SPF, no retinoids or exfoliating acids for a week, no waxing or hot yoga, and absolutely no picking at flaking skin. Sunscreen is non-negotiable — a peel without sun protection can make pigmentation worse.
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Ready when you are
Considering chemical peels?
Book a consultation and we'll talk it through properly — what it can realistically achieve for you, what it will cost, and whether it's the right treatment at all.