Toronto Chemical Peels

We offer light- to medium-depth peels known for their excellent results and safety profile. We believe in repeated treatments for progressive and gradual results, and to avoid the side effects and downtime associated with deeper peels. Chemical peels should be performed by a trained skin care professional in a clinical setting so that they are delivered safely and effectively.

Chemical peels work by deeply exfoliating the surface layers of skin forcing your body to quickly replenish it with new cells. When peels are performed regularly, the skin gets used to this process and begins to rejuvenate itself like younger skin. To be sure that the body doesn’t react to this deep exfoliation as it would to trauma, which can lead to pigment changes, exfoliation must be introduced gradually giving the skin time to adjust.

Your skin care specialist will complete a thorough skin analysis and recommend an individualized treatment program to address your skin concerns. She will create a personalized program that combines professional treatments with home care products since they work synergistically to improve the health and beauty of skin. Pre-treatment products precondition the skin, accelerate results and minimize complications. Post-treatment products minimize complications, heal and soothe the skin and then maintain the results. Professional treatments enhance the results of your home care products.

Some common peeling ingredients include alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and retinol. Alpha hydroxy acids include glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid (from milk), citric acid (from oranges and lemons), malic acid (from apples and pears), tartaric acid (from grapes) and mandelic acid (from bitter almonds). Salicylic acid is the only beta hydroxy acid. The strength of a chemical peel is determined by the type of ingredients used, their concentrations and the pH of the formulation.

Not all peels are created equally, and one peel type doesn’t suit all. Certain ingredients may be more effective for treating acne, while others may be more successful in treating hyperpigmentation or the signs of aging.

AHA peels work by reducing sulfate and phosphate groups from the surface of corneocytes to decrease corneocyte cohesion leading to exfoliation of epidermal cells.

BHA peels are lipid soluble allowing deeper penetration into the follicle. As well, BHAs have anti-inflammatory properties and are able to neutralize bacteria. These properties make BHAs ideal for acne. BHAs work as both keratolytic and comedolytic agents by causing cells of the epidermis and in the follicle to shed, clearing the pores and allowing room for new cell growth.