1 It didn't hurt at all

Unless you’re aiming to target sun damage or acne scarring (which require stronger solutions), you won’t feel much at all. The peel I tried used light lactic acid to detox the skin and help the blocked pores around my jaw. It tingled a little, and for a few hours after. Glycolic, Salicylic and Mandelic peels tend to feel the same. 

2 I wasn't red, just a little flushed

The thought of my skin looking raw had previously put me off trying peels, but it’s really not like that. At most, you’ll be a little pink – which is how I looked when I walked out the salon – but, overall, my skin was glowing. It was a flushed, healthy glow (the kind you try to create wth makeup). A little SPF 50 and I was good to go. 

3 My skin didn't flake, but did feel dry

Over the next few days, the area around my mouth and chin felt very tight and was dry in appearance. I applied a lot more moisturiser than I usually would to keep it hydrated, but within 72 hours, the dryness had cleared altogether. I didn’t feel my ‘best self’ until it had cleared up, so if you’re booking a peel before a special occasion, I’d head there a few days before. ​

4 A good enough glow to skip my at-home acids

The best bit of a peel is the after-effects, which continue to improve for a few weeks. Straight away my skin appeared fresher and clearer, makeup and skincare were sitting more comfortably on my face, and I skipped my every-other-day at-home acids regime for at least one month. ​

5 Where to try it?

 

My top spots for microdermabrasion in London would be Skinworks and Harley Injectables. Enjoy. 

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