Tired of sun damage, acne scars, or skin that just looks tired? Chemical peels can reset your skin by removing damaged outer layers and revealing fresh, healthy skin underneath. But here’s what nobody tells you upfront: your skin will actually peel. Like, visibly shed. For days.
If you live in Dania Beach, your skin has been through a lot. Every day at the beach, every walk to Dania Pointe, every afternoon in the Florida sun adds up. Chemical peels at Manhattan Laser Spa can help reverse that damage, but you need to know what you’re getting into before you commit.
Let’s talk about what chemical peels really involve.
Chemical peels use acid solutions to cause controlled damage to your skin. That sounds scary, but it’s intentional. The acid dissolves the bonds holding dead skin cells together, making the damaged outer layers shed off. Your body then generates new skin to replace what’s been removed.
Think of it like renovating a house. You can’t just paint over water-damaged walls and expect good results. You need to remove the damaged drywall first, then rebuild. Same concept with your skin.
The depth of the peel determines how much skin gets removed and how dramatic your results will be. Deeper peels give better results but require more recovery time.
Light Peels (Superficial)
These use mild acids like glycolic acid (10-30%), lactic acid, or low-strength salicylic acid. They only affect the outermost layer of skin (epidermis).
You’ll have light flaking for 2-3 days, like mild sunburn peeling. Most people can wear makeup the next day. Results are subtle: brighter skin, smoother texture, smaller-looking pores. You need multiple treatments (usually 4-6) to see significant improvement.
Light peels are good for maintenance, mild sun damage, and dull skin. They’re the “gateway” peel. Low commitment, low risk, decent results.
Medium Peels
These use stronger acids like TCA (trichloroacetic acid at 20-35%) or combination formulations like Jessner’s solution or VI Peel. They penetrate into the upper dermis (the second layer of skin).
Your face will peel significantly for 5-7 days. We’re talking visible sheets of skin coming off. You can’t hide this with makeup. You’ll look weird. Plan to stay home or work remotely.
But the results are worth it: dramatic improvement in sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne scarring. One medium peel can give you results that would take 6-8 light peels to achieve.
Deep Peels
These use high-strength TCA (over 50%) or phenol. They reach the mid-dermis and cause significant injury that takes weeks to heal.
We rarely do deep peels because the risks are high and the recovery is intense (10-14 days of looking pretty rough, followed by months of pinkness). They’re typically only for severe sun damage or deep wrinkles, and they’re not safe for darker skin types.
Most people get the best results from medium peels or a series of light peels.
Sun damage is huge in Dania Beach. If you’ve got brown spots, uneven tone, or that leathery texture from years of beach life, chemical peels help a lot. The acids break up excess melanin and remove sun-damaged cells.
Acne and acne scarring respond well to peels, especially salicylic acid peels. The acid penetrates into pores, clears out oil and bacteria, and helps smooth out shallow scarring over multiple treatments.
Fine lines and wrinkles improve because peels stimulate collagen production as your skin heals. Medium peels give the best anti-aging results.
Hyperpigmentation and melasma (those stubborn dark patches that won’t go away) often need a series of peels combined with prescription lightening products. It’s a process, not a one-time fix.
Rough texture and large pores improve dramatically. The exfoliation smooths your skin surface, and the tightening effect makes pores look smaller.
What peels don’t fix: Deep wrinkles from muscle movement (like forehead lines or crow’s feet), loose skin, or volume loss. For those, you need Botox, fillers, or more aggressive procedures.
Consultation First
We need to assess your skin type using the Fitzpatrick scale. This matters because darker skin types (IV-VI) have a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We’ll be more conservative with peel strength if you have darker skin.
We’ll also check your medical history. If you’ve taken Accutane in the past year, you can’t get a chemical peel. If you get cold sores, you’ll need antiviral medication before treatment to prevent an outbreak.
Pre-Treatment Prep (2-4 Weeks)
You’ll need to prep your skin with specific products. Usually retinoids and sometimes hydroquinone. This primes your skin for better results and reduces complication risk.
You must avoid sun exposure. This is non-negotiable. If you go to the beach and get tan, we’re canceling your appointment. Tanned skin + chemical peel = disaster (think: permanent pigmentation problems).
During Treatment
We’ll clean your skin thoroughly, then apply the peel solution with a brush or cotton applicator. You’ll feel tingling, warmth, or burning depending on the peel strength. It’s uncomfortable but tolerable. Most treatments take 15-30 minutes.
For TCA peels, you’ll see white “frosting” appear on your skin as the acid works. That’s normal. It looks alarming but it’s just the protein in your skin coagulating.
We may neutralize the peel after a specific time, or you might go home with it still working (depends on the type of peel).
The Peeling Phase: Reality Check
Here’s what happens over the next week. This is the part most places gloss over, but you need to know:
Days 1-2: Your skin looks red and feels tight, like a sunburn. You might have some swelling. You can’t wash your face for the first 6-12 hours with some peels.
Days 3-4: Your skin starts to darken and feel thick. This is when peeling begins. It usually starts around your mouth and spreads outward.
Days 5-7: Active peeling. Your skin literally sheds in sheets. It’s not subtle. Don’t pick at it. Let it come off naturally or you risk scarring.
Days 8-10: Peeling is mostly done. You’ve got new pink skin that’s sensitive and needs protection.
You cannot work client-facing jobs during the peeling phase. You cannot attend events. You will not look presentable. Anyone who says medium peels have “minimal downtime” is lying to you.
This is why timing matters. Schedule your peel when you can actually recover without social or professional consequences.
Sun protection is absolutely critical. Your new skin is extremely vulnerable to UV damage. If you don’t protect it properly, you’ll end up with worse pigmentation than you started with. SPF 50+ physical sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. Hats. Shade. No exceptions.
This is particularly important in Dania Beach. You live near the beach. You’re outdoors a lot. But you cannot go to John U. Lloyd Beach State Park during recovery. You cannot walk around Dania Pointe at midday. The sun will destroy your results.
Moisturize constantly. Your skin will be dry and tight. Use the healing ointment or cream we provide. Apply it multiple times a day.
No picking, pulling, or forcing the peel. Let your skin shed naturally. Forcing it causes scarring.
Avoid heat. No hot showers, saunas, or intense exercise for the first week. Heat increases swelling and irritation.
Wait to resume active skincare. No retinoids, acids, or exfoliants for 2 weeks minimum. Your skin needs time to rebuild its barrier.
You’ll see immediate glow after the peeling is done and your new skin is revealed. But the real improvements continue for weeks as collagen production ramps up.
Light peels: Results last 2-4 weeks. You need ongoing treatments (monthly or every 6 weeks) for cumulative benefits.
Medium peels: Results last 3-6 months. Most people do 1-2 treatments per year.
Why multiple treatments help: Each peel builds on the previous one. Your skin quality improves cumulatively. Pigmentation fades more with each session. Texture gets smoother.
But here’s the catch: if you don’t protect your skin from the sun after treatment, you’ll undo your results quickly. This isn’t a one-and-done situation where you can go back to your old habits.
Sun exposure is your biggest challenge. You can’t avoid the sun completely, but you need to be smart about timing.
Fall and winter are ideal for chemical peels. Lower UV index, cooler weather, easier to cover up. Summer is risky because you can’t avoid sun exposure as easily, and you’re probably planning beach trips.
Plan around events. Got a wedding at Dania Beach Pier? Don’t schedule a peel 2 weeks before. You need at least 3-4 weeks for medium peels to be fully healed and looking great.
Saltwater and chlorine are off-limits during recovery. If you swim regularly, plan your peels during times when you can stay out of the water.
Humidity actually helps. One benefit of living in Florida is the humidity keeps your healing skin from getting too dry. Silver lining.
Be honest about these factors. They matter.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Wait until after. The acids can potentially be absorbed systemically, and we don’t know if they’re safe for babies.
Recent Accutane use? You need to wait at least 6 months, ideally a year. Accutane thins your skin and impairs healing. Chemical peels on Accutane-treated skin can cause severe scarring.
Active infections or cold sores? The peel will spread the infection. Wait until it clears, or take antiviral medication first.
Keloid scarring history? You’re at high risk of abnormal scarring from peels. Not worth the risk.
Very dark skin (Fitzpatrick V-VI)? You need to be extremely careful. Medium and deep peels carry high risk of permanent hypopigmentation (light spots). We’ll be very conservative with peel selection.
Unrealistic expectations? If you think one peel will completely remove deep wrinkles or decades of sun damage, it won’t. Be realistic.
Let’s talk numbers because you deserve to know what you’re getting into financially.
Light peels: $150-250 per treatment. You’ll need 4-6 for significant results, so $600-1,500 total.
Medium peels (VI Peel, TCA, Jessner’s): $300-500 per treatment. Most people do 1-2 per year, so $300-1,000 annually for maintenance.
Deep peels: $800-1,500. Usually one-time treatment.
We offer package pricing that reduces the per-treatment cost if you buy a series upfront. During your consultation, we’ll give you exact pricing based on your specific needs.
Manhattan Laser Spa is conveniently located to serve residents throughout Dania Beach and the surrounding communities. Whether you’re coming from the Marina District, near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, or anywhere along Federal Highway, we’re easy to reach.
We also welcome clients from Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, and throughout Broward County.
We’re a medical spa with actual medical oversight. Chemical peels can cause complications if not done properly. We take safety seriously.
Our practitioners are trained in proper peel application and complication management. We know how to assess skin types and select appropriate peel strengths.
We’re honest about downtime and risks. If we don’t think you’re a good candidate, we’ll tell you. We’d rather lose a sale than give you bad results.
We understand Florida skin. Sun damage is our specialty. We see it every day and know how to treat it effectively.
Yes, for medium peels you will. Your skin will visibly shed in sheets, and it looks obvious. You can’t cover it with makeup because the peeling skin will clump up with foundation. This is why we tell people to plan 5-7 days at home or working remotely. Light peels cause much less visible peeling (more like light flaking that makeup can hide), but medium peels are unmistakable. Don’t schedule a medium peel if you can’t take time off.
It depends on how dark and what type of peel. Lighter chemical peels (glycolic, lactic, low-strength salicylic) are generally safe for all skin tones. Medium and deep peels are risky for very dark skin (Fitzpatrick types V-VI) because they can cause permanent hypopigmentation (light spots) or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots). We’ll assess your skin type during consultation and only recommend peels that are safe for you. Some people with darker skin are better candidates for other treatments like microneedling or certain lasers.
Not soon enough. You need at least 4-6 weeks after a medium peel before you can safely have sun exposure at the beach. Your new skin is extremely vulnerable to UV damage for weeks after treatment, and beach sun exposure will cause hyperpigmentation that’s worse than what you started with. If you have a beach vacation coming up, schedule your peel for after you return, not before. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but protecting your results matters more than timing it for a specific event.
Microdermabrasion physically scrapes off dead skin with crystals or a diamond tip. It only affects the very surface layer and gives subtle results. Chemical peels use acid to dissolve deeper layers of skin, giving more dramatic results. Microdermabrasion has zero downtime but minimal impact. Chemical peels have real downtime but significant improvement. They’re different tools for different needs. For sun damage, pigmentation, and anti-aging, chemical peels give better results.
It depends on what you’re treating and what type of peel you get. For light peels, you’ll need 4-8 treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart to see significant improvement, then monthly or quarterly maintenance. For medium peels, most people see great results from 1-2 treatments, then do annual or semi-annual maintenance. For severe sun damage or melasma, you might need a series of 3-4 medium peels spaced 8-12 weeks apart. During your consultation, we’ll give you a realistic treatment plan based on your specific concerns.
You can buy weak peels online, but they’re not strong enough to give the results you want, and you don’t have the training to apply them safely or manage complications. Professional peels use much higher acid concentrations that require medical oversight. Home peels might give you a slight glow, but they won’t treat real concerns like sun damage, melasma, or scarring. Plus, if something goes wrong (infection, severe reaction, scarring), you’re on your own. Professional peels are done in a controlled environment with proper prep, application, and aftercare support. It’s not worth risking your face to save money.
No. Once the peel is applied, the process is happening. You can’t reverse it or make it stop. This is why we’re very clear about what to expect before you commit. The peeling phase is temporary and necessary for results, but it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient. If you absolutely cannot handle a week of looking rough, choose light peels that cause minimal visible peeling, or consider other treatments that don’t involve shedding skin. Don’t get a medium peel if you’re not fully prepared for the recovery.
Chemical peels can dramatically improve sun damage, acne scarring, pigmentation, and aging concerns. But they require commitment to prep, recovery, and sun protection.
If you’re ready to actually address your skin concerns (not just temporarily improve them), schedule a consultation at Manhattan Laser Spa. We’ll assess your skin, discuss your goals, and create a treatment plan that fits your life and your schedule.
Call us today or book online. Let’s talk about what chemical peels can realistically do for your skin.
