Chemical Peels
Tier 2 Chemical Peel
Mid-depth exfoliation. Visible peeling over 3 to 5 days. Used when a Tier 1 peel has not resolved the concern.
What it does
A fuller shed for concerns that need more movement.
Tier 2 penetrates deeper than a superficial peel, reaching the lower epidermis.
The result is a more complete cell turnover cycle: more significant exfoliation, more pronounced improvement in tone, texture, and discoloration, and a visible healing phase that Tier 1 does not produce.
We do not escalate peel depth to accelerate results. The depth is matched to what your skin is ready for.
What it addresses
Used after your baseline is established.
Persistent dullness
Tone that has not responded to lighter exfoliation.
Moderate PIH
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that needs more turnover.
Early photodamage
Sun damage and uneven surface quality.
Comedonal acne
Active congestion that responds to controlled chemical exfoliation.
Fine lines and roughness
Surface texture that needs a more visible shed.
What to expect
Visible peeling. Plan around it.
Application takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Tingling and warmth are expected and more noticeable than with Tier 1. A neutralizing step is performed in-office.
After treatment, redness and tightness can last 24 to 48 hours. Peeling usually begins around day 2 or 3 and continues through days 4 to 5. Do not pick. Pulling skin early disrupts healing and risks post-treatment pigment.
Preparation and aftercare
Give the peel room to finish.
Before
Stop retinoids and active exfoliants 7 days before treatment.
Sun
Avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least 2 weeks before treatment.
During recovery
Gentle cleanser only for 5 to 7 days. No actives until peeling is complete.
Heat
No exercise, hot showers, or saunas for at least 48 hours.
SPF
Wear SPF 30 or higher every morning.
After your peel
Keep it gentle and let the shedding happen on its own schedule.
Gentle cleanser and a hydrator
Cleanse gently and keep your skin comfortable. We'll send you home with an aftercare plan matched to your peel level.
Know your level
Tier 1: a pink flush for a few hours and mild dryness for a day or two, usually no visible peeling. Tier 2: redness for a day or two, then light flaking days 3 to 5. Tier 3: visible shedding days 3 to 7, with possible tightness for up to 10 days.
Strict SPF
SPF every single day for at least two weeks, no exceptions. Add a hat and shade through the full recovery window.
Don't rush the shed
When the flaking starts, leave it completely alone. It comes off when it's ready.
What to avoid
Newly resurfaced skin is fragile and pigment-prone. Give it room.
Picking, pulling, or exfoliating
Do not pick, peel, or scrub. Let your skin shed on its own. Helping it along is how you trade a peel for a scar or a dark spot.
Sun
Strict sun avoidance, especially after deeper peels. Sun on freshly peeled skin is the fastest route to post-treatment hyperpigmentation.
Actives
Pause retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, and hydroquinone until your skin is fully healed.
Heat and sweat
Skip hot showers, saunas, and hard workouts while you're actively peeling. Heat and sweat irritate raw skin.
Healing, and your next peel
Recovery tracks with your tier. A Tier 1 peel and you'll look normal in public the whole time. Tier 2, light flaking days 3 to 5 that most people work right through. Tier 3 is real recovery, so plan around it: visible shedding days 3 to 7 and possible tightness and sensitivity for up to 10 days. Your skin should feel progressively better as it goes, not worse.
Most clients see real change across a series of 3 to 6 peels, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart depending on the level. Tier 3 is usually 1 to 3 treatments, spaced further apart. We'll book your next one once your skin has fully recovered, and we'll tell you when it's safe to bring your actives back in. If you notice blistering, spreading redness, or anything painful, that's outside the normal range, so message us.
Is this for you
Tier 2 is for skin ready for a visible recovery.
We decide that at consultation, based on your concern, your history, and how prepared your skin is for a mid-depth peel.