Chemical peels

What does a peel correct?

By exfoliating the surface layer of the skin, a peel smooths away certain irregularities: enlarged pores, excess sebum, brown spots, acne, blackheads and very fine lines. It evens out the complexion and makes the skin more radiant.

It does not erase wrinkles: expression lines (forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet) are treated with Botox, and deeper wrinkles with hyaluronic acid fillers.

Peels are chemical “resurfacing” treatments. Other kinds exist, thermal (laser) or mechanical (dermabrasion, now hardly used because it is harsh on the skin), which Dr Médard de Chardon does not offer.

Which peel should you choose?

Peels are classified by depth: superficial (fruit acids), medium (TCA) or deep (phenol); Dr Médard de Chardon does not perform deep peels. The choice is made at the consultation, according to your skin type and the result you want.

Light, medium or depigmenting peel?

	Light peel	Medium peel	Depigmenting peel
Product	Fruit acids: glycolic, lactic, mandelic, salicylic	Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)	Depigmenting product
For	Radiance, complexion, acne, pores	Brown spots, skin texture, dull complexion	Mask of pregnancy (melasma), spots after inflammation
Session	15 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes
Social downtime	None	8 days	No sun exposure afterwards
Frequency	3 to 4 sessions a year	1 to 2 sessions a year	1 to 2 sessions, from late September to late May
Price	€130 per session	€400 per session	Given at the consultation

The light fruit-acid peel

Also called a gentle or superficial peel, it uses fruit acids: glycolic, lactic, mandelic or salicylic. The session lasts 15 minutes, with no social downtime (a “lunchtime peel”); it is repeated 3 to 4 times a year.

To prevent ageing

It improves the radiance and elasticity of the skin and evens out the complexion. It does not rejuvenate: it helps you “age well”. It can be combined with a skin booster or mesolift, which hydrate the skin in depth.

For acne

It reduces excess sebum, microcysts, comedones and visible pores, and restores radiance. On its own it is never enough: it complements the underlying treatment prescribed by the dermatologist (isotretinoin, antibiotics of the cycline family, an adapted diet, non-comedogenic sebum-regulating skincare).

The medium TCA peel

It uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at different concentrations; a little phenol is sometimes added to strengthen its action. It fades brown spots, fine lines and slightly enlarged pores, brightens the complexion and smooths the skin texture. It does not erase wrinkles.

The session lasts 15 minutes. The skin peels for a week, then looks clearer and more radiant; 1 to 2 sessions a year.

The depigmenting peel

It fades melasma (mask of pregnancy), spots that follow inflammation (pigmented acne or surgical scars) and certain sun spots, by helping the skin to clear the pigment. One or two sessions are enough to fade the spots. It suits all skin types (phototypes I to VI).

It is performed from late September to late May, and the skin must not be exposed to the sun afterwards.

What happens during a peel?

1. ConsultationFree, at the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes: examination of the skin, choice of peel according to your skin type and the result you want.
2. SessionAt the practice, without anaesthesia: the skin is cleansed, the solution applied and then neutralised or removed; about 15 minutes.
3. AftercareMoisturising cream and sun protection.
4. Follow-up sessions3 to 4 a year for the light peel, 1 to 2 a year for the medium peel.

Is a peel painful?

No. It does not require anaesthesia; tingling or a feeling of warmth is felt during application, more marked with the medium peel.

What is the recovery like?

• Light peel: back to normal immediately, with no social downtime; the skin is sometimes slightly pink for a few hours.
• Medium peel: the skin reddens and then peels for a week; social downtime of 8 days. It then looks clearer and more radiant.
• Depigmenting peel: no sun exposure during recovery.
• In all cases: strict sun protection for several weeks.

What are the risks?

For a light peel, side effects are rare: temporary redness or irritation. For a medium peel: prolonged redness, pigment spots if the skin is exposed to the sun, more rarely infection, in particular reactivation of a cold sore (herpes), or scarring.

Contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding, an active skin infection or wound, active herpes, sun exposure planned in the following weeks.

Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.

Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience

How much does a chemical peel cost in Cannes?

Frequently asked questions about chemical peels