Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels - Albany & Saratoga NY - Complexions Spa

Chemical Peels & Facial Exfoliation

At Complexions Spa, we offer medical-grade chemical peels for a quick and effective way to enhance your appearance and boost self-confidence with minimal downtime. Chemical peels rejuvenate the skin by removing damaged outer layers, revealing a clearer, more radiant complexion. Suitable for the face, hands, neck, back, and shoulders, these peels target fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne, scarring and uneven skin tone.

Complexions offers a variety of  professional chemical peel options to treat all skin types and conditions. These advanced solutions combine exfoliating acids and skin-strengthening agents for maximum benefits and minimal discomfort.

Available Chemical Peel Options

  • Sensi Peel®: Gentle TCA formulation for sensitive skin and higher fitzpatricks.

  • PCA Peel® HQ Free: Ideal for sensitive skin, helps unclog pores and even pigmentation.

  • Pigment Correct Peel: A multi-Acid synergistic solution that corrects hyperpigmentation including sun damage, melasma, and post inflammatory (PIH).

  • Ultra Peel®:  Helps improve maturing skin with fine lines and wrinkles while promoting an even skin tone and improved texture.

  • Advanced Retinol Boosters: For skin in need of maximum rejuvenation. Increases exfoliation through improved cell turn over and peeling, brightens and smooths skin tone.

  • Pumpkin Peel BETA-C: Antioxidant treatment that brightens and rejuvenates.

  • Oxygenating Facial Trio: Revitalizes sluggish skin, perfect before special events.

  • Smoothing Body Peel: Promotes an even skin tone and clear complexions on the arms, legs, back, chest, hand and feet.

What to Expect After a Peel

Following a chemical peel, your skin may feel tight, and you could notice some initial redness or sensitivity, which usually subsides within a few hours. Peeling and flaking are common starting 2-3 days after your treatment, although the degree of peeling can vary depending on the type and strength of the peel. Not all peels result in visible peeling; some work beneath the surface to promote cell turnover and renewal without excessive shedding. During this time, it’s important to keep your skin moisturized and avoid picking or pulling at any flakes.

You may also notice a gradual improvement in the overall brightness and texture of your skin, with continued benefits appearing over the next week as the skin continues to renew itself. Sunscreen is critical after a peel, as your skin will be more sensitive to UV rays, and avoiding direct sun exposure is essential to protect your investment and prevent pigmentation.

Post-Peel Care Tips

  • Keep the skin hydrated using a recommended gentle moisturizer.

  • Avoid active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliants for at least 7-10 days post-treatment.

  • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily to prevent sun damage.

  • Avoid excessive sweating, hot tubs, or saunas for the first 48 hours.

  • Stick to a gentle skincare routine for the first week following your peel.

Results from peels typically start to become more noticeable after a series of treatments, with skin appearing smoother, brighter, and more evenly toned.

Start Your Skin Transformation Today

Ready to reveal your most radiant skin? Book a personalized consultation with one of our expert estheticians to determine the best peel for your skin type and goals. Whether you’re looking to reduce fine lines, improve texture, or achieve a glowing complexion, we’ll guide you every step of the way with a customized treatment plan and home care recommendations.

Call Today or Inquire Below

Take the first step toward beautiful, healthy skin by scheduling your consultation. Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs and get you on the path to long-lasting results!

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Chemical Peel Before & After Photos

Complexions clients achieve professional results with a combination of proper home care, and chemical exfoliation. | Schedule a Consultation Now

Chemical Face Peel - Before and After - Complexions Spa

Complexions clients achieve professional results with one oxygen treatment and one LED light therapy. | Schedule a Consultation Now

Chemical Peel - Before and After - Complexions Spa

Chemical Peels FAQs

The word peel can be a pretty scary word with regards to our skin especially when we think of the Sex in The City episode where Samantha went into hiding behind a big black hat and a vail because of her red, peeling face. Today, the approach to this skin treatment is more persistent than it is aggressive and produces minimal down time. Chemical exfoliation is a very effective treatment for creating beautiful skin any where on the body including face, hands, neck, chest, back, and arms. Chemical peels do the following;

  • Removes dead skin cells

  • Reduces uneven pigmentation

  • Increases hydration

  • Diminishes large pores

  • Softens the appearance of fine lines and rough texture

Our skin’s surface, known as the stratum cornium, naturally renews itself approximately every 28 days by replacing dead cells on the surface. This process slows over time due to the normal aging process as well as environmental damage. Chemical exfoliation is performed using a variety of solutions that loosen the dead layer causing it to shed. This controlled injury stimulates cells to produce more collagen and elastin restoring the skin texture, improved tone, and evening out the color.

To get the most out of a professional peel a thorough consultation should be performed. Your goals and what you have done to take care of your skin, up to this point, is important information which can affect the outcome of your treatment. A visual evaluation along with the use of imaging and a woods lamp ensures the success of a treatment program.

A supportive home skin care regime should be used to prep your skin for 10-14 days before your first treatment and proper care after is very important to maximize the results. Often times a patch test is done during the consultation to test for skin sensitivity. Following the treatment proper home care will enhance the results in the same way that having peels can improve product penetration. They work together to obtain the best results.

Most everyone and all skin types can benefit from a chemical exfoliation treatment. Contraindications would be Accutane use, Retin A use within 5 days, pregnancy or lactating, active sun exposure or tanning bed use, waxing services, recent injectables and any compromised surface condition such as eczema, scratches, wounds, cold sores and/or inflammation. The Fitzpatrick Scale is a classification used to determine the amount of melanin in the skin and guides the esthetician in choosing the best peel options for the desired outcome.

There are many different types of exfoliating/peeling agents ranging from fruit acid enzymes such as papaya which decompose dead skin to commonly used acids like Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy Acids such as lactic, glycolic, mandelic, and salicylic acid. Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), and Jessner solutions are also an option. Solutions can be blended together creating custom designer formulations and often times include tyrosinase inhibitors to decrease pigment. All peels come in varying potency and PH which increases or decreases penetration and irritation. Some are left on while others are removed after the desired length of time.

Dermaplaning and microdermabrasion are manual exfoliation methods that can be performed solely or in conjunction with a chemical peel. Doing so can increase penetration of a peeling solution due to removing two to three layers of skin before the application of the peeling agent. The decision to possibly have a deeper peel is based on the amount of damage an individual has. Professional estheticians perform light to medium depth peels and deeper peels, which can reach the deeper dermal layer, should be performed by a medical doctor. It isn’t always the best option to go deeper and consistent light to medium depth peels can be just as effective if done regularly with the appropriate solution. Working with an experienced esthetician is very important.

Consistency and commitment is important for the best results. It is recommended to have a series of a minimum of 6 peels performed regularly, every 2-3 weeks. This will depend on skin conditions. As you proceed through the program, constant consultation, evaluation and customization of the solutions will be decided upon based on the results you are achieving. Remember, your part is also critical with a commitment to proper home care every day, twice a day. Once the six treatments are completed, maintenance should be done approximately every 4-6 weeks and can be achieved with fruit enzymes incorporated into a facial treatment for long lasting results. You will experience minimal irritation and virtually no down time while delivering maximum results. Your skin will look more radiant, luminous, and less likely to show signs of discoloration. Skin is healthier, younger looking and more beautiful.