Chemical Peels London
Medical-grade skin peels at Harley Street — from gentle AHA brightening to deep TCA resurfacing. Our clinicians customise every peel with supporting active ingredients for results that are visible, natural, and always your way.
CosmeDocs offers salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and TCA peels — each enhanced with mandelic acid, azelaic acid, pyruvic acid, retinol, and powerful antioxidants. Our signature Peel to Reveal cocktail combines multiple agents into one bespoke treatment.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a controlled medical procedure that uses acid solutions to remove damaged outer skin layers, stimulate collagen production, and accelerate cellular renewal. The result is smoother texture, reduced pigmentation, diminished scarring, and a brighter, more even complexion.
At CosmeDocs Harley Street, we go beyond single-acid peels. Our clinicians combine primary peeling agents — salicylic, glycolic, lactic, and TCA acids — with supporting ingredients such as mandelic acid, azelaic acid, pyruvic acid, retinol, and clinical-grade antioxidants including glutathione, kojic acid, and vitamin C. This multi-active approach ensures each peel is precisely calibrated to your skin type, Fitzpatrick classification, and treatment goals.
Our Skin Peels
Compare our peel types and find the right treatment for your skin concerns.
| Peel | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Salicylic Acid Peel | Acne, oily skin, blackheads, congestion | From £150 |
| Glycolic Acid Peel | Fine lines, dullness, sun damage, texture | From £120 |
| Lactic Acid Peel | Sensitive skin, hydration, mild pigmentation | From £120 |
| TCA Peel | Deep scarring, pigmentation, sun damage | From £250 |
| Peel to Reveal | Comprehensive renewal, anti-ageing, radiance | From £120 |
Explore Each Peel Type
Salicylic Acid Peel
The only BHA peel — fat-soluble, penetrating deep into pores to dissolve sebum, clear acne, and reduce oiliness. Enhanced with mandelic and azelaic acid.
Learn moreGlycolic Acid Peel
The gold standard AHA with the smallest molecular size for maximum penetration. Targets fine lines, dullness, and sun damage with retinol and antioxidant support.
Learn moreLactic Acid Peel
A gentle AHA derived from milk that exfoliates whilst hydrating. Ideal for sensitive skin and mild pigmentation. Paired with azelaic acid for enhanced brightening.
Learn moreTCA Peel
Medium-to-deep peel for significant scarring, pigmentation, and sun damage. Combined with retinol pre-treatment and antioxidant recovery for optimal results.
Learn morePeel to Reveal — Our Signature Cocktail
Peel to Reveal is CosmeDocs' proprietary multi-acid cocktail peel — a bespoke fusion of glycolic, lactic, salicylic, and TCA acids combined with mandelic acid, azelaic acid, pyruvic acid, kojic acid, glutathione, and natural botanical extracts including papaya, liquorice, and bearberry.
Unlike single-acid peels, the Peel to Reveal cocktail is fully customisable by the clinician according to your specific skin concerns. Using our CRES system (Cleanse, Revitalise, Exfoliate, Stimulate), the treatment addresses over a dozen skin issues simultaneously — from acne and pigmentation to fine lines and dullness.
Results are visible within 10 days. Treatment takes just 10–15 minutes with minimal downtime. Invisible art — transformation that speaks without saying a word.
Explore Peel to RevealSupporting Ingredients
Every CosmeDocs peel is enhanced with clinically proven supporting agents that amplify results and minimise side effects.
Mandelic Acid
Gentle exfoliation suitable for darker skin tones; anti-bacterial properties that complement salicylic and glycolic peels.
Azelaic Acid
Targets melasma, rosacea, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.
Pyruvic Acid
A keto acid that converts to lactic acid on the skin. Offers deeper penetration with sebum-regulating properties.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Accelerates cell turnover, boosts collagen synthesis, and enhances peel efficacy when used in pre-treatment protocols.
Antioxidants (Glutathione, Vitamin C, Kojic Acid)
Neutralise free radicals, brighten skin, and protect newly revealed skin layers from oxidative stress.
The Process
Skin Assessment
Thorough consultation to determine the best peel type and strength for your skin concerns, tone, and medical history.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Gentle cleansing and degreasing of the skin to ensure optimal and even peel penetration.
Acid Application
Careful, layered application of the chosen chemical solution — monitored for optimal timing and response.
Neutralisation & Calming
Safe neutralisation of acids followed by soothing treatments and barrier repair to calm the skin.
Aftercare Protocol
Comprehensive aftercare instructions, SPF guidance, and recommended products to maximise results and healing.
Am I Suitable?
May Be Suitable
- • Hyperpigmentation, melasma, or uneven skin tone
- • Active acne, congestion, or oily skin
- • Acne scarring or post-inflammatory marks
- • Sun-damaged or photo-aged skin
- • Fine lines, dull complexion, or rough texture
- • Enlarged pores or blackheads
May Not Be Suitable
- • Active eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis
- • Recent isotretinoin use (within 6 months)
- • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- • Active cold sores or bacterial skin infections
- • Recent sun exposure, sunburn, or laser treatment
- • History of keloid scarring (for deeper peels)
Before & After
Individual results vary. Images show real patients treated at our Harley Street clinic.
Clinical Standards
All chemical peels at CosmeDocs are performed by qualified medical practitioners with extensive training in dermatological procedures. Our Harley Street clinic adheres to CQC-equivalent clinical standards, and every treatment is preceded by a thorough skin assessment including Fitzpatrick skin typing and medical history review.
We use only medical-grade, pharmaceutical-quality peeling agents sourced from certified suppliers. Concentrations and pH levels are precisely calibrated — not off-the-shelf formulations. Our practitioners hold postgraduate qualifications in aesthetic medicine and attend regular continuing professional development in chemical exfoliation techniques.
Patient safety is paramount. Pre-treatment patch testing is available for sensitive individuals, and detailed written aftercare protocols are provided at every appointment. Our outcomes are documented with standardised clinical photography for objective progress tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
At a Glance
Duration
20–45 minutes
Course
3–6 sessions
Recovery
1–7 days peeling
Types
Light, medium, deep
Treatment Pricing
Includes skin assessment
Natasha W.
"After three chemical peels my pigmentation has faded dramatically. My skin is the clearest it's been in years. Worth every session."
More real experiencesChemical Peels at Harley Street — What You Need to Know
Chemical peels are one of the oldest and most evidence-based skin rejuvenation treatments in dermatology. The principle is straightforward: a controlled acid solution is applied to remove the outer damaged layers of skin, triggering the body's natural healing response and stimulating new collagen and elastin production.
At CosmeDocs, we classify peels by their primary active ingredient and penetration depth. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic and lactic acid are water-soluble and work on the skin surface to improve texture, tone, and hydration. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid are lipophilic — fat-soluble — allowing them to penetrate into the pore lining and dissolve sebum plugs, making them the treatment of choice for acne-prone and oily skin.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels operate at a medium-to-deep level, restructuring the dermal matrix and addressing more significant concerns such as deep acne scarring, photo-ageing, and resistant hyperpigmentation. TCA peels require longer recovery but deliver more dramatic results.
What distinguishes CosmeDocs is our multi-active approach. No peel is performed in isolation. We augment every primary acid with supporting ingredients — mandelic acid for gentle exfoliation suitable for Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin types, azelaic acid for its anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic properties, pyruvic acid for enhanced penetration and sebum regulation, retinol for accelerated cell turnover, and antioxidants including glutathione, kojic acid, and vitamin C for free radical protection and skin brightening.
Our signature Peel to Reveal treatment represents the culmination of this philosophy — a customisable cocktail fusion of multiple peeling agents, adjusted by the clinician to address your unique combination of skin concerns in a single session. This is invisible art: transformation that speaks without saying a word.