Chemical Peels London Medical Grade

By Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical · Treatments delivered by Nurse Rashmi Mehta · Last updated 5 November 2026

A chemical peel is a medical grade acid solution that removes damaged surface skin so fresher skin replaces it. At our chemical peels London clinic, Orovenza in Marylebone, peels are chosen by skin type for pigmentation, dullness, breakouts, fine lines and uneven texture.

Chemical peels London: what it is and how it works

A peel applies a controlled acid to the skin for a set time. It loosens the bonds between dead cells, speeds up turnover and, at greater depths, triggers new collagen. The deeper the peel, the stronger the result and the longer the recovery. We use two depths. Superficial peels work on the outermost layers and are the mainstay for most skin types:

• Glycolic acid: the smallest alpha hydroxy acid, good for dullness, fine lines and sun damage.
• Lactic acid: gentler and hydrating, useful for dry or sensitive skin.
• Mandelic acid: a larger molecule that penetrates slowly, often favoured for darker skin and PIH.
• Salicylic acid: oil soluble, so it clears pores and suits acne-prone skin.

Medium-depth peels use trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which DermNet describes as typically used at 20 to 35% strength to improve texture and blotchy pigmentation. We use them only where they are appropriate for your skin type. We do not offer deep phenol peels.

Melasma and sun damage: our special interest

At Orovenza, our chemical peels London service has a particular interest in melasma and sun damage. Both are common, both are frustrating, and both respond best to a careful plan rather than a single strong treatment. Our first choice for these concerns is the VI Peel Precision + Peptides system, a medium depth peel designed for stubborn pigmentation that comes with its own patient aftercare kit.

Melasma shows as patchy brown or grey brown marks, usually on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and chin. It is driven by sunlight, visible light, hormones and genetics, so it can flare with pregnancy, the contraceptive pill or a summer holiday. Sun damage shows as freckling, sun spots, uneven tone and a rough, dull surface.

• Assessment first: we look at your pattern of pigment, skin type and history to confirm the diagnosis and rule out marks that need a medical opinion.
• Skin preparation: preparing the skin before a peel lowers the risk of rebound pigmentation. Where a prescription preparation is needed, Dr Edwin Anthony prescribes it after his own assessment.
• The right peel: VI Peel Precision + Peptides for melasma and sun damage, with lighter peels for sensitive or darker skin where that is safer.
• Maintenance: daily broad spectrum SPF and a simple home routine keep results for longer. Melasma can be controlled very well, but it is a long term condition and can return.

The chemical peels we use and why

We do not use one peel for everyone. At our chemical peels London clinic, your practitioner chooses the peel that suits your concern and your skin type.

• VI Peel Precision + Peptides: our peel of choice for melasma, sun damage and stubborn pigmentation. It is applied in clinic and continued with a home aftercare kit. Visible peeling usually starts around day 3 and settles within about a week.
• Modified Jessner peel: a well established peel based on salicylic and lactic acids. We use it for general aesthetic concerns such as dullness, congestion, uneven texture and mild pigmentation. Flaking is usually light.
• The Perfect Peel: a medium depth peel that includes glutathione, phenol and vitamin C. We use it for overall rejuvenation, tone, texture, fine lines and acne prone skin. Peeling usually begins around day 3 and lasts up to a week.

Intimate chemical peels: inner thighs, buttocks and perianal area

Darker skin in intimate areas is very common and is nothing to be embarrassed about. Friction, shaving, hormones, weight change and old inflammation can all leave the inner thighs, buttocks and perianal skin darker than the rest of the body. Nurse Rashmi Mehta offers intimate chemical peels at Orovenza to lighten and even out these areas, using Dermamelan Intimate and VI Peel Precision.

• Areas treated: inner thighs, buttocks and the perianal zone. We treat the skin only, never mucous membranes.
• Private and discreet: treatment takes place in a private clinical room at Langham Hospital with a female practitioner, and a chaperone is always available.
• Assessment first: Nurse Rashmi checks the skin before treatment. Some darkening, such as velvety patches in skin folds, can be linked to medical conditions, so we may suggest a check with your GP or with Dr Edwin Anthony first.
• Dermamelan Intimate: a depigmenting treatment designed for intimate areas. It is applied in clinic and removed at home after a set number of hours, then continued with a home maintenance cream for several months.
• VI Peel Precision: our pigmentation peel, also used for intimate darkening where it suits the skin. Peeling is usually light to moderate and settles within about a week, and some people benefit from a second treatment after 4 to 6 weeks.
• Which one is right for you: Nurse Rashmi recommends Dermamelan Intimate or VI Peel Precision after assessing your skin type, how dark the area is and your lifestyle.
• Aftercare: loose cotton clothing, no shaving, waxing or exercise that causes rubbing for a few days, and a gentle home routine to keep results.

Prices with Nurse Rashmi: Dermamelan Intimate costs £850 for one area including the home kit, plus £250 for each additional area. VI Peel Precision intimate lightening costs £450 per area. All prices include VAT. Intimate peels are not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or where there is broken, irritated or infected skin. Your consultation is confidential and you can ask anything. To ask about intimate chemical peels in London, message us on WhatsApp for an instant reply, call 020 3890 1911 or book a consultation online.

Who it is best suited for

• People with dull, tired or uneven skin tone
• Anyone with sun spots, PIH or mild melasma (with superficial peels)
• Oily or acne-prone skin with congestion and breakouts
• Early fine lines and rough texture
• Darker Fitzpatrick skin types, using carefully chosen superficial peels
• Those wanting a structured course with little time off work

Your treatment journey at Orovenza

1. Consultation and skin assessment: Nurse Rashmi Mehta assesses your concern, skin type, medical history and current skincare, and records your Fitzpatrick type. This decides which acid, strength and depth are safe for you.
2. Plan and skin preparation: Most patients prepare for 2 to 4 weeks with a home routine that may include a retinoid, an exfoliating acid or pigment control, plus SPF 50 every day. Preparation helps the peel apply evenly and lowers the risk of pigment problems. We patch test where needed.
3. Treatment day: Skin is cleansed and degreased, the peel is applied and timed, then neutralised or removed. It usually takes 30 minutes.
4. Aftercare: We apply a calming moisturiser and SPF, and give you a written plan for the peeling days.
5. Review: We check your skin before each peel in the course and adjust the strength. Dr Edwin Anthony (GMC registered), Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical, provides medical oversight.

Results and how long they last

Superficial peels give a brighter, smoother look within a week, with cumulative gains over a course. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that 3 to 5 light peels may be needed for the desired result, repeated every 2 to 5 weeks. Medium-depth peels give a more noticeable change from one treatment, but need more recovery. Results last longer with daily SPF and a good home routine. Most people keep them up with a maintenance peel every few months.

Recovery and aftercare

How long recovery takes depends on depth. The AAD gives healing times of 1 to 7 days for light peels and 7 to 14 days for medium peels.

• Superficial peel, day 1: pinkness and tightness. DermNet notes redness usually settles within 48 hours.
• Superficial peel, days 2 to 5: fine flaking for some people, often barely visible. Many see no peeling at all, and the peel still works.
• Medium peel, days 1 to 3: redness, swelling and a tight, darker, leathery feel.
• Medium peel, days 3 to 7: visible peeling in sheets, then fresh pink skin. Plan around a week off social events.
• Medium peel, weeks 2 to 4: mild pinkness fading gradually.
• For all peels: gentle cleanser, plain moisturiser, SPF 50 daily, and no retinoids, scrubs or waxing until your nurse advises.

Safety, side effects and who should avoid it

• Common: stinging during the peel, redness, tightness and flaking.
• Less common: prolonged redness, cold sore flare-ups, infection and pigment change.
• DermNet notes that Fitzpatrick types IV to VI have a higher risk of pigment change and scarring, so we favour superficial peels with thorough preparation. The British Association of Dermatologists also advises that peels for melasma need an experienced practitioner.
• Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding for most peels, or over active eczema, infection or broken skin.
• We wait after recent isotretinoin, waxing or laser, and avoid peeling a fresh tan.
• Tell us about keloid scarring, aspirin allergy (relevant for salicylic peels) and photosensitising medicines.

Comparing treatment options

How Orovenza compares

• Treatment in a hospital setting at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone
• Doctor-led care, with treatment by Dr Edwin Anthony or Nurse Rashmi Mehta and clinical leadership from Dr Edwin Anthony
• Named peel types chosen for your skin type, not one peel for everyone
• Skin assessment, preparation advice and patch testing where needed
• A consultation before every treatment, with the strength adjusted each time
• A fixed consultation fee, not deducted from treatment prices, and review appointments

Related treatments

• Pigmentation treatment London
• Picosecond laser London
• Microneedling London
• Acne scar treatment London
• All Orovenza treatments

Call us on 020 3890 1911 or book online to find the right peel for your skin. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices, and your practitioner confirms your personal treatment cost at consultation. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

How much does a chemical peel cost in London?

At Orovenza a skin peel costs from £300. VI Peel Precision Plus for pigmentation and melasma costs £450 for the face with Nurse Rashmi Mehta or £750 with Dr Edwin Anthony, and £595 or £950 for the face and neck. Eyes or lips cost £300 and a medium depth chemical peel costs £750. Intimate lightening with Nurse Rashmi costs £850 for one area with Dermamelan Intimate (£250 per extra area) or £450 per area with VI Peel Precision. All prices include VAT, and your practitioner confirms your course at consultation.

Do chemical peels hurt?

Superficial peels usually cause tingling or stinging for a few minutes, which most people rate as mild. Medium-depth peels feel hotter and more intense for a short time. We use a cooling fan and remove or neutralise the peel promptly, and the stinging fades soon after.

How long does peeling last after a chemical peel?

It depends on depth. After a superficial peel, any flaking is usually light and settles within about a week. After a medium-depth TCA peel, visible peeling typically starts around day 3 and finishes within 7 to 14 days. Keep moisturising and never pull flaking skin.

How many chemical peels will I need?

For superficial peels, a course of three to five is typical, spaced two to five weeks apart. Medium-depth peels are usually a single treatment, repeated only after several months if needed. After the course, a maintenance peel every few months helps keep results.

Are chemical peels safe for dark skin?

Yes, when the right peel is chosen. Darker skin is more prone to pigment change after inflammation, so we usually favour superficial mandelic, lactic or salicylic peels, prepare the skin for several weeks and patch test where needed. Medium-depth peels are considered case by case.

What is the best chemical peel for pigmentation?

There is no single best peel. Glycolic and mandelic peels suit many types of surface pigment, while salicylic peels help marks left by acne. Melasma needs particularly gentle peels alongside SPF and pigment control. Your nurse chooses the acid after assessing your pigment and skin type. At Orovenza our first choice for melasma and sun damage is VI Peel Precision + Peptides, with a Modified Jessner peel or The Perfect Peel for more general skin concerns.

Can I have a chemical peel in summer?

Superficial peels can often continue in summer with strict daily SPF. Medium-depth peels are better timed for autumn or winter, when sun exposure is lower. Avoid a peel within two weeks of a sunny holiday, and never peel skin that is freshly tanned.

When can I wear make-up after a chemical peel?

After a superficial peel, most people can wear make-up the next day. After a medium-depth peel, wait until peeling has finished, usually around a week, so products do not irritate healing skin. Mineral make-up and a clean brush are the gentlest choice.

Is a chemical peel or picosecond laser better?

They suit different needs. Peels are excellent for overall brightness, congestion and diffuse pigment across the face. Picosecond laser is more targeted for distinct sun spots, texture and some scarring. Many plans use both, alternating treatments a few weeks apart for the best overall result.

Can chemical peels be combined with other treatments?

Yes. Peels combine well with microneedling, picosecond laser and skin boosters, provided treatments are spaced so the skin recovers. We usually leave at least two weeks between a peel and another resurfacing treatment, and review your skin at each visit before going ahead.

What is the best chemical peel for melasma in London?

For most people with melasma we recommend the VI Peel Precision + Peptides system, combined with skin preparation and strict daily sun protection. At Orovenza, Langham Hospital in Marylebone, Nurse Rashmi Mehta and Dr Edwin Anthony assess your skin first, because melasma needs a gentle, planned approach to avoid rebound pigmentation.

Does VI Peel Precision work for melasma?

VI Peel Precision is designed for pigmentation, including melasma and sun damage, and many patients see a clear lightening of patches over a course of peels. Melasma is a long term condition, so results are maintained with sun protection and a home routine, and occasional top up peels if it flares.

Can a chemical peel remove sun damage?

A chemical peel can noticeably fade sun spots, freckling and uneven tone, and smooth rough sun damaged skin. VI Peel Precision + Peptides is our usual choice for sun damage. Deeper wrinkles or marked laxity may need other treatments, such as CO2 laser or Morpheus8, which we can discuss at consultation.

Can melasma come back after a chemical peel?

Yes. Peels can control melasma very well, but sunlight, visible light and hormones can trigger it again. Daily broad spectrum SPF, a maintenance skincare routine and reviews with your practitioner give you the best chance of keeping it under control.

What is a Modified Jessner peel?

A Modified Jessner peel is a long established chemical peel based on salicylic and lactic acids. It brightens dull skin, helps congestion and improves texture and mild pigmentation, usually with only light flaking for a few days. At Orovenza we use it for general aesthetic concerns rather than melasma.

VI Peel or The Perfect Peel: which is better?

They suit different goals. We use VI Peel Precision + Peptides for melasma, sun damage and stubborn pigmentation, and The Perfect Peel for overall rejuvenation, tone, texture and fine lines. Both are medium depth peels with roughly a week of peeling. Your practitioner recommends one after assessing your skin.

Who carries out chemical peels at Orovenza?

Peels are carried out by Nurse Rashmi Mehta, an NMC registered aesthetic nurse, or by Dr Edwin Anthony, a GMC registered doctor and Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical. Orovenza is doctor-led, and treatment takes place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, a short walk from Harley Street.

Do I need a test patch before a chemical peel?

We may recommend a test patch, particularly for darker skin types, sensitive skin or a first medium depth peel. It shows how your skin reacts before a full treatment and lowers the risk of unwanted pigment change.

Can you have a chemical peel on the inner thighs?

Yes. Inner thigh darkening caused by friction, shaving or hormones often responds well to a course of gentle chemical peels. At Orovenza in Marylebone, London, Nurse Rashmi Mehta assesses the skin first and treats it with Dermamelan Intimate or VI Peel Precision, chosen to suit your skin.

Is an intimate chemical peel safe for the perianal area?

When the skin is assessed first and a treatment designed for sensitive areas is used, such as Dermamelan Intimate, an intimate peel on the perianal skin is generally well tolerated. We treat the skin only, never mucous membranes, and we do not treat broken, irritated or infected skin. Expect mild stinging during treatment and light flaking afterwards.

Can a chemical peel lighten dark skin on the buttocks?

Yes. Darker skin on the buttocks, often from friction, sitting or old spots, can be lightened with Dermamelan Intimate or VI Peel Precision, followed by a simple home routine. Results build over the following weeks and last longer with good aftercare.

Who offers intimate chemical peels in London?

At Orovenza, intimate chemical peels for the inner thighs, buttocks and perianal area are carried out by Nurse Rashmi Mehta, an NMC registered aesthetic nurse, in a private room at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB. Treatment is doctor-led, with medical oversight from Dr Edwin Anthony, and a chaperone is always available.

How many intimate chemical peels will I need?

With Dermamelan Intimate, most people need one in-clinic treatment followed by several months of home maintenance cream. With VI Peel Precision, one or two treatments 4 to 6 weeks apart are typical. The plan depends on how dark the area is, your skin type and how well you avoid friction between treatments, and Nurse Rashmi agrees it with you at consultation.

What is the best treatment for intimate area lightening in London?

At Orovenza we use Dermamelan Intimate and VI Peel Precision for lightening the inner thighs, buttocks and perianal area. Both are medical grade treatments for pigmentation. Dermamelan Intimate costs £850 for one area and VI Peel Precision costs £450 per area. Nurse Rashmi Mehta assesses your skin at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, and recommends the one that suits you best.

Sources

1. Chemical peels: FAQs, American Academy of Dermatology
2. Chemical peels, DermNet
3. Melasma patient information, British Association of Dermatologists