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A facial or a peel?

Both leave your skin looking brighter, but one restores and the other resurfaces. Here is how they differ and which tends to suit which skin.

Cleansing versus resurfacing

A facial and a chemical peel can look similar on a treatment list, and some facials include a light peel step, which adds to the confusion. The real difference is how deep the treatment goes and what your skin does afterwards. Both are part of our facials in Southport.

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Which Treatment Is Right For You?

Facial

A layered treatment that cleanses, gently exfoliates, treats and hydrates. It can include dermaplaning, extraction, a mask or LED, chosen to suit your skin on the day.
A fresher look for two to four weeks, repeated every four to six weeks

This is suitable for those looking for:

Dullness, dryness, congestion and regular upkeep

Chemical peel

A solution of acids applied to the skin to loosen and lift the outer layer so newer skin comes through. Strengths vary a great deal, from a light peel to a deeper clinical one.
Usually a course of three to six, spaced two to four weeks apart

This is suitable looking for:

Pigmentation, rough texture, congestion and dull tone

The core difference

A facial works with your skin. It removes surface debris, softens congestion and puts moisture back, and you leave looking well. A peel deliberately changes the skin, using acids to lift the outer layer so fresher skin replaces it. That means a peel can shift pigmentation and rough texture in a way a facial cannot, but it also asks more of your skin afterwards, with dryness, tightness or light flaking for a few days depending on the strength used.

Which is right for you

If you want your skin to look and feel better with no fuss afterwards, a facial suits you. If your concern is pigmentation, sun damage, persistent congestion or rough texture, a peel is the treatment that actually addresses it and we would plan a course. Skin that is very reactive, sensitised or currently inflamed usually does better starting with facials while we settle it down. We assess that properly at your consultation rather than guessing.

Can you have both?

Yes, across a plan, but not stacked into one appointment. A common pattern is a course of peels for a specific concern, then facials to hold the result. We space them so the skin is not overworked.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A peel, in almost every case. A facial exfoliates gently at the surface, while a peel uses acids to lift the outer layer of skin, so it works deeper and asks more of your skin afterwards.
It depends on the strength. Light peels often cause nothing more than slight dryness or tightness. Stronger ones can bring visible flaking around days two to four. We tell you what to expect beforehand.
Not in the few days before. Allow at least a week, ideally two, so any dryness or flaking has fully settled. A facial is the better choice close to an event.
Some do. A facial may include a gentle acid step to exfoliate, at a much lower strength and with no real downtime. That is different from a peel course aimed at a specific concern.
After a facial, the same day, although skin often looks better left bare. After a peel we usually ask you to leave the skin alone for at least 24 hours, and we confirm that on the day.

Elevating Natural Beauty

Unsure whether your skin needs a facial or a peel? Book a consultation and we will look properly and tell you which one will help.
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Related Pages:

facial vs microneedling

BioRePeel in Southport

which facial is right for my skin type

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Request an appointment using the form below and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Every facial at The Skin and Aesthetics House starts with a proper look at your skin, so we choose the treatment that fits rather than the one on the poster. If we think a facial is not the answer, we will say so. We treat only over-18s.

Request A Consultation

Request an appointment using the form below and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. 

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