Upper Cambourne, CB23 6EP

Chemical Peels in Cambridge

Skin resurfacing for pigmentation, congestion, uneven texture and dullness, carried out by Shannon Dry Aesthetics a short drive west of Cambridge.

  • Consultation and patch test first
  • Free parking on site
  • By appointment

Ask about your skin

Tell us what you would like to change and roughly where you are. We will come back with a straight answer on whether a peel is the right thing for it.

Treatments carried out by Shannon Dry Aesthetics · Upper Cambourne, CB23 6EP

Getting here

Every route ends in the same place

Find your village for the road in and an honest door-to-door drive time.

All routes end atUpper CambourneCB23 6EP · free parking on site

How deep a peel goes decides how long you look like you have had one

Peels are graded by the layer of skin they reach. Deeper means a bigger change and a longer recovery. This is the general picture; the strength that suits your skin is agreed at your consultation and patch test.

  1. Superficial peelEpidermis onlyLifts the outermost layer of skin. Brightness and texture improve over the following week, with fine flaking rather than obvious peeling. Usually done as a short course spaced a few weeks apart.1-3days of light flaking
  2. Medium peelInto the upper dermisReaches deeper pigmentation and texture. Expect redness and real peeling for the better part of a week, so it is worth booking with a clear diary either side.5-7days of visible peeling
  3. Deep peelLower dermis, medical settingA single significant procedure carried out under medical supervision with aftercare to match. This is not a beauty therapy treatment and it is not offered here.14+days of recovery

Which depth suits you depends on your skin type, your history and what you are trying to change. That is decided at your consultation and patch test, not before it.

What a chemical peel actually involves

A chemical peel is a controlled exfoliation. A solution is applied to cleansed skin, left on for a measured time, then neutralised or removed. It loosens the bonds holding dull, pigmented and congested cells at the surface so that the skin sheds them faster than it would on its own.

The appointment itself is short, usually well under an hour including preparation. Most of the work happens afterwards, over the following week, as the skin turns over. That is why peels are normally done as a course rather than a one-off, spaced to match your skin's own renewal cycle.

Who it suits

Peels are most useful for people dealing with sun damage and uneven pigmentation, post-inflammatory marks left behind after breakouts, rough or congested texture, early fine lines, or skin that simply looks tired and flat.

They are not right for everyone. Active or inflamed acne, eczema or psoriasis in the treatment area, recent isotretinoin use, cold sore outbreaks, pregnancy and some medications all change what is sensible. Darker skin tones need a more cautious approach because of the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation. This is exactly what the consultation and patch test are for.

What it costs

Prices depend on the peel used and the number of sessions your skin actually needs, so they are confirmed at your consultation rather than quoted blind. You will be given the full cost of the course before anything is booked, and there is no obligation to go ahead after the consultation.

What happens at your first appointment

The first appointment is a consultation and a patch test, not a full treatment. We go through your skin history, any medication, and what you are hoping to change. A small test patch is applied and you go away and see how your skin settles over the next few days.

If it settles well, you leave with a plan: which peel, how many sessions, how far apart, and what you will need to do at home between them. Aftercare matters more with peels than with most treatments, and sun protection is not optional afterwards.

Questions

Will I have to hide indoors afterwards?

Not with a superficial peel. Expect a few days of light flaking that makeup covers easily. A medium peel is different and needs planning around, which is why we talk through your diary before choosing one.

How many sessions will I need?

Most courses run to somewhere between four and six sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, but that is set after your patch test rather than guessed in advance.

Can I have a peel if I have darker skin?

Often yes, but the approach is more conservative and the patch test matters more, because darker skin tones carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes after treatment. This is discussed properly at consultation.

Do I need to stop any skincare beforehand?

Usually yes. Retinoids, acids and strong exfoliants are normally paused for a period before a peel. You will be given specific instructions once the peel is chosen.

Where exactly are you?

Upper Cambourne, CB23 6EP, with free parking on site. It is a straightforward run out from Cambridge on the A428 and easy to reach from the villages either side of it.

Ask about your skin

Send us a note about what you would like to change and we will tell you honestly whether a peel is the right route.