Dealing with sun spots from too many beach days? Acne scars that won’t fade? Fine lines that seem to multiply every year?
Chemical peels at Manhattan Laser Spa can help. We use medical-grade acid solutions to remove damaged outer skin layers, revealing fresher, healthier skin underneath.
Living in Fort Lauderdale means year-round sun exposure. That takes a toll on your skin. Chemical peels help reverse the damage, brighten your complexion, and give you smoother skin without surgery or long downtime.
A chemical peel is a treatment where we apply an acid solution to your skin. This solution causes the damaged outer layers to peel away over several days, revealing new skin underneath.
Think of it like shedding a layer. The old, damaged skin comes off, and fresh, healthy skin takes its place.
The acids work by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells. This triggers your skin’s natural healing process, which stimulates collagen production and accelerates cell turnover.
Different acids penetrate to different depths. Light peels work on the surface. Medium peels go deeper into the upper dermis. Deep peels penetrate even further.
Which type you need depends on your skin concerns and how much downtime you can handle.
Not all peels are the same. We offer several types based on strength and the specific issues you’re treating.
These are the gentlest option. They use alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid or lactic acid, or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid.
Light peels only affect the outermost skin layer. They’re great for:
Recovery is minimal. You might experience light flaking for 3-5 days. Most people can go right back to work.
You can repeat these every 2-4 weeks. Many people do a series of 4-6 treatments for best results.
These penetrate deeper, reaching the upper dermis. The most common is the TCA peel (trichloroacetic acid).
Medium peels address:
You’ll see more dramatic results, but recovery takes longer. Expect 7-14 days of peeling and redness.
These are typically done every 3-6 months.
The VI Peel is one of our most popular options. It’s a medium-strength peel that works on all skin types, including darker skin tones.
It combines TCA, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, and vitamin C. This blend treats multiple concerns at once.
Recovery takes about 7 days. The peel starts around day 3 and completes by day 7.
VI Peel Purify: Specifically for active acne and acne-prone skin. Contains benzoyl peroxide to kill acne bacteria.
Jessner’s Peel: Combines lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol. Great for oily skin and acne.
Salicylic Acid Peel: Perfect for oily, acne-prone skin. Penetrates oil-filled pores.
Mandelic Acid Peel: Gentle option for sensitive skin or darker skin tones. Lower risk of irritation.
During your consultation, we’ll recommend the right peel for your skin type and concerns.
Chemical peels address pretty much every common skin issue except for severe sagging (that needs surgery or non-surgical tightening).
Sun damage: Fort Lauderdale’s year-round sunshine causes serious skin damage. Dark spots, rough texture, and premature aging all respond well to chemical peels.
Hyperpigmentation: Whether it’s melasma, age spots, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from old acne, chemical peels can significantly lighten and even out your skin tone.
Acne and acne scars: Salicylic acid peels help clear active breakouts. TCA and VI Peels improve the appearance of acne scarring.
Fine lines and wrinkles: Peels stimulate collagen production, which plumps skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines.
Uneven skin tone: Peels remove surface pigmentation and promote even cell turnover.
Rough texture: The exfoliation smooths bumpy, rough skin.
Enlarged pores: Deep cleaning and exfoliation make pores appear smaller.
Dull complexion: Removing dead skin cells reveals the brighter skin underneath.
Most people can get chemical peels, but your skin type and concerns affect which peel is best for you.
You’re probably a good candidate if you:
Darker skin tones need special consideration. Chemical peels can cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (light spots) on darker skin if not done correctly.
We can safely treat darker skin, but we use specific peels (like mandelic acid or lower-strength VI Peels) and take a more conservative approach.
You shouldn’t get a chemical peel if you:
Be honest during your consultation. We need accurate information to keep you safe and get good results.
Here’s exactly what happens during your appointment.
Before Treatment:
We’ll cleanse your face thoroughly to remove all makeup, oils, and dirt. Clean skin ensures the peel penetrates evenly.
For deeper peels, we might apply a numbing cream to keep you comfortable.
During Treatment:
We apply the chemical solution to your face using a brush or gauze. You’ll feel tingling, warmth, or mild stinging. This is normal.
The solution stays on for a specific amount of time depending on the type of peel and your skin’s response. We monitor your skin carefully.
Some peels self-neutralize (they stop working on their own). Others need to be neutralized with water or a special solution.
With TCA peels, you might see “frosting” where your skin turns white. This is the acid working and is expected.
Treatment takes 15-45 minutes depending on the peel type.
After Treatment:
We’ll apply a moisturizer or healing ointment. Your skin will feel tight and might look red.
You’ll get detailed aftercare instructions to take home.
Let’s be real about what happens after your peel. The timeline varies by peel type, but here’s what most people experience.
Day 1-2: Skin feels tight and looks slightly red, like a mild sunburn.
Day 3-5: Light flaking or peeling, similar to dry skin. Nothing dramatic. You can cover it with makeup if needed.
Day 5-7: Peeling complete. Skin looks fresh and bright.
Day 1-2: Redness and tightness. Your skin might darken, especially pigmented areas.
Day 3: The fun begins. Your skin starts peeling, usually around your mouth and chin first.
Day 4-5: Active sheet peeling. Your skin comes off in larger pieces. Don’t pick at it (seriously, don’t). Let it come off naturally.
Day 6-7: Most peeling is done. You’re left with pink, new skin.
Day 7-14: Redness fades gradually. You can wear makeup to cover any remaining pinkness.
We don’t perform deep peels at our spa. They require significant downtime (2-3 weeks), carry higher risks, and need to be done by a physician in a surgical setting.
If you need a deep peel, we’ll refer you to an appropriate provider.
Taking care of your skin after a peel is just as important as the peel itself. Skip the aftercare, and you risk complications and poor results.
Keep your skin moisturized constantly. Use a thick, bland moisturizer (like Aquaphor or CeraVe Healing Ointment) multiple times per day. Your skin needs to stay hydrated to heal properly.
Don’t pick, pull, or peel your skin manually. Let it come off naturally. Pulling it off can cause scarring and pigmentation issues.
Avoid sun exposure completely. Your new skin is incredibly sensitive to UV damage. Stay indoors as much as possible during peak peeling.
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen every single day once your skin has stopped peeling. Reapply every 2 hours if you’re outside.
Skip all active ingredients for at least 1-2 weeks. No retinol, acids, vitamin C, or exfoliants. Stick to gentle cleansers and moisturizers only.
Don’t exercise for 48 hours. Sweat can irritate healing skin.
Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and ocean water until all peeling is complete. Chlorine and salt water are irritating.
Sleep propped up on extra pillows for the first few nights if you have swelling.
Living in Fort Lauderdale makes sun avoidance tricky. This is why we often recommend scheduling peels in fall or winter, or planning them around times you’ll be indoors more.
Let’s set realistic expectations. Chemical peels give noticeable improvements, but they’re not miracles.
After one peel, you’ll see:
After a series of peels (usually 3-6 treatments), you’ll see:
What peels won’t do:
Results are progressive. Each peel builds on the last.
Maintenance peels every 1-3 months help preserve your results.
Here’s the thing about living in Fort Lauderdale: the sun is relentless. Year-round UV exposure, humidity, and salt water all affect your skin and your peel recovery.
Sun exposure is your biggest enemy after a chemical peel. The new skin has zero protection and will burn quickly. It can also develop dark spots if exposed to sun too soon.
Plan your peel around your lifestyle. If you’re at Fort Lauderdale Beach every weekend, schedule your peel when you can stay indoors for 1-2 weeks.
Best timing for chemical peels in Fort Lauderdale:
Avoid peels if you have:
The humidity actually helps with healing. Your skin won’t get as dry as it would in a drier climate. But you still need to moisturize constantly.
Pricing varies based on peel type and treatment area.
General price ranges:
Light peels (glycolic, salicylic): $100-200 per treatment
Medium peels (TCA, VI Peel): $250-450 per treatment
We often recommend packages of 3-6 treatments, which brings the per-treatment cost down.
During your consultation, we’ll give you exact pricing for your specific needs and discuss any current promotions or package deals.
Here’s what makes us different:
Medical Oversight: All treatments are performed under physician supervision. We’re a medical spa, not a day spa. You’re getting medical-grade treatments with proper safety protocols.
Multiple Peel Options: We carry various brands and formulations so we can customize your treatment. One type doesn’t work for everyone.
Experience with All Skin Types: We’ve safely treated all skin tones, including darker skin that many providers won’t treat. We know how to adjust protocols to minimize pigmentation risks.
Honest Assessments: We’ll tell you if a chemical peel isn’t the best option for your concern. Sometimes laser, microneedling, or a different treatment gives better results.
Fort Lauderdale Expertise: We understand the unique challenges of maintaining skin in South Florida’s climate. We give realistic advice about timing and sun protection.
Comprehensive Aftercare: You’ll get detailed written instructions, post-peel products, and access to our team if you have concerns during recovery.
Whether you’re coming from Las Olas, Victoria Park, Coral Ridge, or anywhere in Broward County, we’ll help you get clearer, healthier skin.
During treatment, you’ll feel tingling, warmth, or mild stinging. It’s not painful, but it’s not exactly comfortable either. Most people tolerate it fine.
The sensation peaks when the acid is on your skin, then fades quickly once it’s neutralized or removed.
Light peels cause minimal discomfort. Medium peels have more stinging. We can use cooling fans or apply numbing cream for sensitive areas.
After treatment, your skin will feel tight and hot, like a sunburn. This is normal and fades within a few hours to a day.
Yes, but we need to be more careful. Darker skin has a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (developing dark spots after treatment).
We use specific acids (like mandelic acid) that are safer for darker skin. We also start with lower concentrations and build up gradually.
Proper pre-treatment and post-treatment care is crucial. You’ll need to prep your skin for 2-4 weeks before the peel and be extremely diligent about sun protection after.
We’ve successfully treated all skin tones at our Fort Lauderdale location. During consultation, we’ll assess your specific skin type and recommend the safest approach.
Light peels: 3-5 days of light flaking. You can cover this with makeup after day 2.
Medium peels: 5-7 days of visible sheet peeling. Days 4-5 are usually the worst. You can’t really hide it with makeup during active peeling, and you shouldn’t try. Let your skin breathe.
The actual peeling phase is annoying but temporary. Most people take a week off social activities for medium peels.
Working from home? Perfect timing for a chemical peel.
For light peels, you can usually wear makeup after 24-48 hours once any initial redness fades.
For medium peels, wait until all peeling is complete (usually 7-10 days). Applying makeup to actively peeling skin is difficult, looks worse, and can interfere with healing.
Use mineral-based makeup when you do start wearing it again. Skip liquid foundations with lots of ingredients for at least 2 weeks.
They can significantly improve acne scars, but “completely remove” is unrealistic for most types of scarring.
Chemical peels work best for:
They work less well for:
Most people see 40-70% improvement in acne scarring after a series of 4-6 medium-depth peels. That’s enough to make a real difference in how your skin looks.
Yes, but you’ll need antiviral medication first. Chemical peels can trigger cold sore outbreaks, which can be severe if they develop on freshly peeled skin.
We’ll prescribe (or have your doctor prescribe) an antiviral like Valtrex that you’ll take starting the day before your peel and continuing for several days after.
Don’t skip this. A herpes outbreak on healing skin can cause scarring and serious complications.
If you have an active cold sore, we’ll reschedule your peel until it’s completely healed.
Light peels: Every 2-4 weeks. Many people do monthly peels for maintenance.
Medium peels: Every 1-3 months. We usually recommend starting with a series of 3-4 treatments, then maintaining with 1-2 peels per year.
Deep peels: Only once a year at most, and only by a physician.
The right frequency depends on your skin concerns and how your skin responds. We’ll create a treatment schedule during your consultation.
If you’re dealing with sun damage, acne scars, uneven tone, or just want healthier-looking skin, chemical peels can help.
Manhattan Laser Spa offers medical-grade chemical peels customized for your skin type and concerns. We’ll help you choose the right peel, guide you through recovery, and get you the results you want.
Schedule your consultation today. We’ll assess your skin, discuss your options, and create a treatment plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Call us or book online. Brighter, smoother skin is just one peel away.
