Chemical skin peels in Thames Ditton

Thames Dental & Skin offers peels from two clinical ranges: Zein Obagi and AlumierMD.

The Zein Obagi "Red Carpet" peel is a superficial-to-medium peel with minimal downtime, designed to brighten and refresh the skin. The Zein Obagi 3-Step Peel combines TCA (10%), salicylic acid, lactic acid, and retinol (6%) for a more comprehensive resurfacing effect suited to pigmentation, acne scarring, and deeper texture concerns — this is priced from £350.

AlumierMD peels use a range of AHAs, BHAs, fruit enzymes, and TCA in varying strengths, making them highly customisable for different skin types and concerns. Single peel prices start from £125, with course pricing available for a series of treatments.

AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids — such as glycolic and lactic acid) are water-soluble and work primarily on the surface of the skin. They are effective for brightening, improving hydration, and treating mild pigmentation and fine lines. Lactic acid is particularly gentle and often used for sensitive-skin peels.

BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids — primarily salicylic acid) are oil-soluble and can penetrate into the pores, making them particularly well suited to oily and acne-prone skin, where they help to clear congestion and reduce breakouts.

TCA (trichloroacetic acid) is a medium-depth peel acid that penetrates more deeply than AHAs or BHAs, producing more significant results for deeper pigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring, and moderate lines — but also requiring more post-treatment peeling and a longer recovery. Dr Bravi uses TCA within formulated, buffered systems to control depth and minimise risk.

Professional peels and at-home products both use acids, but at very different concentrations and delivery systems. Over-the-counter products are formulated at low concentrations to be safe for unsupervised use; they provide gentle, cumulative benefits but cannot produce the degree of cellular turnover that a clinical peel achieves.

Professional peels applied in a clinical setting use higher-strength acids, TCA, and multi-acid combinations that would not be safe without trained supervision and appropriate aftercare. A clinical setting also allows for proper skin preparation, neutralisation where required, and management of any adverse skin reaction. For patients with complex concerns such as melasma or active acne, the precision of a clinically assessed and professionally applied peel typically produces meaningfully better outcomes than even the best home product.

Chemical peels can address a broad range of skin concerns. They are commonly used for fine lines and early wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sun damage, mild-to-moderate pigmentation and melasma, active acne and post-acne congestion, acne scarring, enlarged pores, and rough or dull skin texture.

Certain peel formulations — particularly those using salicylic acid or lower-concentration lactic acid — can be adapted for rosacea-prone skin. The choice of peel is made carefully for each patient, particularly for conditions such as melasma, which can worsen with the wrong type or concentration of acid.

Chemical peels can be effective as part of a structured approach to melasma and pigmentation, working best alongside consistent SPF use and, in some cases, a pigment-inhibiting skincare regimen. Peels accelerate the shedding of pigment-laden skin cells and encourage more even new cell production.

The choice of peel matters considerably with melasma — some acids can trigger a rebound pigmentation response if used at too high a strength or with too much heat generation. Dr Bravi selects peel types and concentrations appropriate to each patient's skin tone and the underlying cause of their pigmentation. For some patients, a structured Skin Health Programme combining peels and LED therapy provides a more holistic and sustainable outcome than a peel course alone.

A course of peels is generally recommended for best results, with sessions scheduled every 4–6 weeks to allow the skin time to complete its renewal cycle between treatments. Thames Dental & Skin offers course pricing — two peels for £335, or a course of six for £625 — reflecting the cumulative nature of the treatment.

For patients with more significant concerns such as pigmentation or acne scarring, six sessions may be recommended before reassessing. For ongoing skin maintenance, a peel every 6–8 weeks can be a sustainable long-term approach. A realistic treatment plan will be outlined at your skin assessment.

Downtime varies considerably depending on the peel type and depth. Superficial peels — such as the Zein Obagi Red Carpet peel or lighter AHA/BHA peels — typically cause minimal or no visible peeling, with only mild redness or tightness in the hours immediately after treatment. Many patients return to normal activities the same day.

Medium-depth peels, including those using TCA, produce more noticeable peeling and flaking over days 2–5 post-treatment, with redness that may persist for several days. You should plan for 3–5 days of visible skin shedding if undergoing a medium-depth protocol. Avoiding sun exposure and following the provided aftercare instructions is essential during this period to protect the newly revealed skin.

Superficial peels often deliver an immediate brightening effect, with skin appearing fresher and more even in tone within a day or two once any initial redness settles. The deeper benefits — improved collagen density, reduction in pigmentation, and refined pore size — develop progressively over the weeks following treatment as the skin remodels.

For conditions such as pigmentation and acne scarring, meaningful improvement generally becomes apparent after a series of treatments rather than from a single session. The full benefit of a six-peel course is typically visible 2–3 months after the final treatment, as collagen remodelling continues beneath the surface.

Yes — Thames Dental & Skin is based in Thames Ditton, Surrey, and is convenient for patients from Kingston upon Thames, Esher, Surbiton, Walton-on-Thames, Molesey, Hinchley Wood, Long Ditton, and the wider Surrey area.

Peels are available as standalone treatments or as part of the Skin Health Programme, which pairs professional peels with Celluma Pro LED therapy in a structured plan. If you are unsure which type of peel is right for your skin, a consultation is the best place to start.