Guide · Chemical peels
Chemical peels in Singapore superficial, medium and deep, and what suits Asian skin
A chemical peel can mean a gentle lunchtime acid or a medical procedure with two weeks of healing. Here is how the depths and acids differ, the pigment risk for Asian skin, and how a peel compares with HydraFacial and laser.
Quick answer
- A chemical peel applies an acid to remove damaged outer layers of skin in a controlled way; superficial peels with glycolic or salicylic acid usually mean a few days of redness and flaking at most, while medium peels (usually TCA) and deep peels take one to three weeks to heal.
- Medium and deep peels are medical procedures performed by doctors; superficial peels may be done by trained therapists, and dermatology guidance stresses extra care in Asian and other darker skin because of the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- For dullness and congestion with no downtime, the HydraFacial cleanse-and-peel step uses a mild glycolic and salicylic blend; Signature HydraFacial Syndeo is S$288 before GST at SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall.
- Melasma, deeper pigment and acne scars need a doctor's assessment; at IN Eternity Clinic, Dr Sin Yong treats these with lasers or, for some scars, TCA CROSS, priced at consultation.
The basics
How a chemical peel works
A chemical peel applies an acid solution for a set time, then neutralises or removes it. The acid loosens and removes cells to a planned depth, and the skin heals with a fresher surface. The deeper the peel, the bigger the change, and the higher the chance of side effects.
Dermatology references group peels into three main families: alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and phenol. A 2018 review noted that lasers have largely replaced deep peels, while superficial peels have become more popular and more varied.
Depth
Superficial, medium and deep peels
| Depth | Common agents | Often used for | Healing time | Who performs it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superficial ('lunchtime') | Glycolic, salicylic or lactic acid; Jessner's solution | Dullness, mild acne, oily skin, mild pigment, rough texture | Redness, then light scaling; about 1 to 7 days. Often 3 to 5 peels, 2 to 5 weeks apart | A doctor, or a trained therapist for the mildest peels |
| Medium | TCA, usually about 20 to 35% | Sun damage, blotchy pigment, fine lines, some shallow scars | Swelling, crusting and peeling for about 7 to 14 days | A doctor |
| Deep | Phenol | Deep wrinkles and severe sun damage | About 14 to 21 days, with dressings; months of sun avoidance | A doctor, in a surgical setting; now rarely used on the face |
Acids
Glycolic, salicylic, lactic and TCA: which does what
- Glycolic acid: a small alpha-hydroxy acid that loosens dead cells on the surface. Used for dullness, rough texture and mild uneven tone.
- Salicylic acid: a beta-hydroxy acid that dissolves in oil, so it works inside pores. Suits oily, congested and acne-prone skin, and has been studied in darker skin types.
- Lactic acid: a gentler alpha-hydroxy acid, often chosen for drier or more sensitive skin.
- TCA (trichloroacetic acid): reaches deeper at medium strengths, so it is used by doctors. A high-strength drop placed into individual scars, called TCA CROSS, is a different technique used for narrow ice pick scars.
Asian skin
Peels and Asian skin: the pigment risk
The main risk of peeling Asian skin is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): the irritated skin responds by making more pigment, leaving darker patches that can take months to fade. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that people with skin of colour can safely have chemical peels, but should see a dermatologist experienced with darker skin, because without that expertise permanent pigment problems can develop.
This is why lighter peels are generally preferred for darker skin. Studies in darker skin types have found that carefully planned superficial peels, such as salicylic acid or serial glycolic acid peels with a topical regimen, can improve acne and PIH with mostly mild side effects.
- Do not peel tanned or sunburnt skin.
- Follow any pre-peel skincare plan your doctor gives you; this can be two to four weeks.
- Say if you get cold sores; medium and deep peels usually need antiviral cover.
- Tell the provider about isotretinoin, retinoids or recent waxing.
- Use sunscreen daily after the peel; Singapore's UV is strong all year.
Compare
Chemical peel vs HydraFacial vs laser
| Superficial peel | Medium peel | HydraFacial | Pigment laser (pico, toning) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Acid left on the skin for a set time | Stronger acid (usually TCA) reaching the upper dermis | Mild glycolic and salicylic peel step, vortex extraction, then serums | Laser light targets pigment |
| Downtime | None to several days of flaking | About 7 to 14 days | None; make-up the same day | Redness for hours; spots may flake for days |
| Best for | Texture, mild acne, mild pigment | Sun damage, blotchy pigment, fine lines | Congestion, dullness, dehydration | Defined spots, freckles, stubborn post-acne marks |
| Pigment risk in Asian skin | Low to moderate, by strength | Higher | Low | Depends on settings; chosen by a doctor |
| In our group | Not offered as a standalone treatment | Not offered | SkinRev Lab, S$288 to S$438 before GST | IN Eternity Clinic, priced at consultation |
Who suits
Who a peel suits, and who should wait
- Usually suits: dull or rough skin, oily and congested skin, mild acne, and mild, superficial pigment.
- Needs a doctor first: melasma, grey-brown or long-standing pigment, pitted acne scars, or any spot that is changing.
- Wait if: you have active cold sores, broken or sunburnt skin, eczema flaring on the face, or a beach holiday coming up.
- Ask your doctor first if: you take isotretinoin or have recently stopped, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have had pigment problems after past treatments.
Melasma
Chemical peels and melasma
Melasma is driven by sun, visible light, heat and hormones, and it is managed rather than cured. Peels can help some people as part of a doctor's plan, but irritation can also darken melasma, so strong peels done without a diagnosis are risky.
If your pigment is symmetrical across both cheeks, the forehead or upper lip, have it diagnosed first. A doctor will usually combine strict sun protection, prescription creams and, where suitable, gentle laser, rather than relying on peels alone.
Where we fit
What SkinRev Lab and IN Eternity Clinic offer
SkinRev Lab does not offer standalone chemical peels. The closest treatment is HydraFacial Syndeo, whose first step is a mild glycolic and salicylic peel, followed by vortex extraction and hydration. It takes about 45 minutes with no downtime: Signature S$288, Deluxe S$388 and Platinum S$438 before GST, with a first-timer rate at the counter. SkinRev Lab is at CityLink Mall #B1-28, linked underground to City Hall and Esplanade MRT, open daily 11am to 8pm.
IN Eternity Clinic does not list chemical peels as a standalone treatment either. For pigment and texture, Dr Sin Yong uses lasers such as Pico Laser and Laser Toning, and for narrow acne scars, TCA CROSS within the 4D Scar Reconstruction protocol. These are priced at consultation by the clinic at 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza (WhatsApp +65 8815 3008).
Sources
References & sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Chemical peels: FAQs.
- DermNet. Chemical peels.
- Soleymani T, Lanoue J, Rahman Z. A practical approach to chemical peels: a review of fundamentals and step-by-step algorithmic protocol for treatment. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(8):21-28.
- Lee KC, Wambier CG, Soon SL, et al. Basic chemical peeling: superficial and medium-depth peels. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(2):313-324.
- Grimes PE. The safety and efficacy of salicylic acid chemical peels in darker racial-ethnic groups. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25(1):18-22.
- Sarkar R, Parmar NV, Kapoor S. Treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation with a combination of glycolic acid peels and a topical regimen in dark-skinned patients: a comparative study. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43(4):566-573.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
How much does a chemical peel cost in Singapore?
It depends on the depth and the provider: a superficial peel is a short visit, while a medium peel is a medical procedure with follow-up. SkinRev Lab does not offer standalone peels; HydraFacial Syndeo, which includes a mild peel step, is S$288 to S$438 before GST. Doctor-led treatments at IN Eternity Clinic are priced at consultation.
Is a chemical peel safe for Asian skin?
It can be, when the peel is chosen and timed carefully. The main risk is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so lighter peels, sun protection and an experienced provider matter. Medium and deep peels on Asian skin should only be done by a doctor.
How long is the downtime after a chemical peel?
Superficial peels usually mean redness and light flaking for up to about a week. Medium peels take about one to two weeks to heal, with swelling and crusting. Deep peels take about two to three weeks and need dressings.
Which chemical peel is best for acne?
Salicylic acid peels are often chosen for oily, acne-prone skin because salicylic acid works inside the pore. Painful, cystic or scarring acne needs a doctor's treatment first, not a peel.
Can a chemical peel remove pigmentation?
Superficial peels can help mild, superficial pigment and post-acne marks gradually. Melasma, Hori's naevus and defined sun spots need a doctor's diagnosis, and often respond better to a medical plan or a pigment laser.
How often can I do a chemical peel?
Superficial peels are often repeated every two to five weeks, usually in a series of three to five. Medium peels are spaced months apart, and dermatology guidance notes a deep peel is usually done only once.
Is HydraFacial a chemical peel?
Not exactly. HydraFacial includes a mild glycolic and salicylic peel step, but it is a hydradermabrasion facial with vortex extraction and serum infusion, and it has no peeling downtime. It suits congestion and dullness rather than deeper pigment.
Can I do a chemical peel at home?
Low-strength acid toners and serums are designed for home use and can help texture over weeks. Stronger peel kits bought online can burn or darken skin, especially Asian skin. Introduce one acid at a time, use sunscreen daily, and stop if your skin stings or stays red.