New a-peeling way

THERE has been much excitement in the beauty world this week about the launch of Boots No 7 Resurfacing Skin Paste, £18 (boots.com). This at-home peel contains glycolic and fruit acids and promises similar results to a salon peel – decongesting pores, exfoliating the surface of the skin and leaving the complexion looking younger, smoother and brighter.

We are huge fans of both home and professional peels.

However, it is a treatment many people still worry about, fearing they will be left with red, painful and peeling skin.

After all, who can forget the episode of Sex And The City when Samantha had a disastrous chemical peel and ended up looking as if she had severe burns?

Thankfully this type of old-school acid peel – which was famously painful both during and after treatment – is now very much out of fashion.

Rather than stripping the skin, the goal is to infuse the complexion with ingredients that smooth lines and boost collagen production without any discomfort or recovery time.

But if you’re still not sure, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions about peels so you can see which one is right for you.

What is the difference between home and salon peels?

Home peels are not as strong as professional treatments so are generally safe for most people.

However, if you have a skin condition such as rosacea or psoriasis, ask an expert which ingredients would suit your skin type.

Professional peels use stronger concentrations of ingredients that can reach deeper layers of the skin to soften lines and wrinkles while tackling pigmentation and acne scarring.

How strong should a home peel be?

Home peels should contain at least 10 per cent acid in order to be effective. It’s not always easy to find out the concentration used as cosmetic companies aren’t required to list the quantity of each ingredient on the product label.

But some do, such as Boots Resurfacing Paste, which is 10 per cent glycolic acid, and The Ordinary AHA Peeling Solution, £6.30 (cultbeauty.co.uk), which is 30 per cent AHAs.

If you’re worried about irritation, stick to lower-concentration peels at first and test any product on your inner arm. Mild stinging is fine but pain or burning means it should be avoided.

Professional peels come in a variety of strengths, from 20-40 per cent which is used in salons, up to medical strengths of 70-90 per cent that must only be used by a cosmetic doctor.

What about recovery time?

Despite the name most home peels are not strong enough to cause any noticeable peeling. Even most professional and salon peels won’t cause anything worse than minor irritation, dryness and flaking.

Post-peel care is very important. It’s essential to wear at least SPF30 every day after treatment to protect the new skin.

Hydrate your skin with a soothing moisturiser twice a day and avoid products that contain retinol and AHAs. If you’ve had a professional peel, your doctor will advise you.

Can you peel too often?

At the clinic we usually recommend a professional peel once a month for up to six months, depending on your skin type.

With home peels, apply no more than twice a week as overuse of