Chemical Peels in Sunnyvale

Short answer: A chemical peel at J.H Beauty in Sunnyvale is the Chemical Peeling Series Treatment: $278 for a 90-minute session, on the face or the back. It uses an I-peel formula with vitamin C and hydroxy acids and is offered for acne, anti-aging and lightening. Ask whether more than one session makes sense for your skin, wear sunscreen daily afterward, and see a dermatologist if you need a medium or deep peel.

What a chemical peel does

Cleveland Clinic describes it plainly: a chemical solution is applied to the skin and deliberately injures its outer layers, which then "peel off revealing more youthful skin." The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists what peels are used for: some types of acne, age spots, blotchy or uneven tone, dullness, fine lines, freckles, melasma, rough skin and sun damage.

Peels come in three depths, and depth decides your downtime:

Depth	What it treats (Cleveland Clinic)	Healing time (AAD)
Light ("lunchtime")	Fine wrinkles, acne, uneven colouring	1 to 7 days; redness and possibly scaling
Medium	Age spots, moderate discoloration, fine to moderate wrinkles	7 to 14 days; skin is red and swollen
Deep	Moderate lines and wrinkles, extensive sun damage, deep acne scars	14 to 21 days, bandaged, recovery at home

Glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol are the acids commonly used across that range. Cleveland Clinic says light peels can be repeated every two to five weeks, and three to five are typical. It also notes that sags, bulges, deep scars, deep facial lines and more severe wrinkles don't respond well to chemical peels.

The peel at J.H Beauty

The Chemical Peeling Series Treatment (Acne, Anti-aging, Lightening) is $278 for 90 minutes. The menu describes it as an I-peel formula built on vitamin C and hydroxy acids. It is offered for the face or the back, so body breakouts are covered too. Ask at your appointment whether additional sessions are appropriate for your skin.

Not sure a peel is right for you? The European Deep Cleaning Facial ($168, 75 minutes) and our other acne options are compared on the acne facial page.

Who it suits

• Breakout-prone skin with clogged pores. The AAD says a peel "helps remove dead skin cells that are clogging your pores and excess oil."
• Dullness, uneven tone and marks you'd like to lighten, which fits the menu's lightening and anti-aging labels.
• Breakouts on the back, since the treatment is offered for the back as well as the face.
• People who can protect their skin from the sun while it heals. Cleveland Clinic lists being unable to avoid the sun during healing as a reason not to peel.

Who should see a dermatologist instead, or first

• Deep scars, extensive sun damage or deep wrinkles. Let a dermatologist choose the treatment. Cleveland Clinic says deep scars and severe wrinkles don't respond well to peels in general, while deep peels are one option for deep acne scars and extensive sun damage. The AAD recommends a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon for peels, and a person can have only one deep peel.
• Isotretinoin (Accutane), now or ever. The AAD says to tell your provider if you are taking or have ever taken it. MedlinePlus advises avoiding waxing, laser treatments and dermabrasion during isotretinoin and for six months after. J.H Beauty's own rule is to wait at least six months after finishing before a facial.
• A history of abnormal scarring, or skin conditions and medicines that make your skin more sensitive (Cleveland Clinic).
• Frequent cold sores. A peel can reactivate them. Tell your provider.
• Darker skin tones. Cleveland Clinic notes a greater risk of darkening after a peel. The AAD warns that without the right expertise, people with skin of color can develop permanent pigment problems. Ask about your skin tone before you book.
• Painful, deep acne nodules or cysts. The AAD says these need a dermatologist's help.

Before your peel

• Stop retinoid products such as tretinoin one to two weeks beforehand (Cleveland Clinic). J.H Beauty's own facial guidance is to stop prescription retinoids about five days beforehand. Ask your prescriber and the studio for instructions specific to your peel, and tell us what you use.
• Tell us about every medicine, supplement and past cosmetic treatment. The AAD's own preparation list asks for all of these, plus whether you scar easily.
• Skip DIY acid peels. The AAD notes the FDA advises buying and using a chemical peel only under the supervision of a licensed, trained provider, because some at-home peels have caused serious injuries.

Aftercare

• Sunscreen every day. Both the AAD and Cleveland Clinic list it as essential after any peel.
• Moisturize. The AAD warns that skin which dries and cracks can scar.
• Don't pick. The AAD says not to pick off scabs. Let peeling skin come away on its own.
• Expect some redness and flaking. After a light peel, Cleveland Clinic describes three to seven days of redness and scaling. Makeup is usually fine right after treatment or the next day.

Book a chemical peel in Sunnyvale

J.H Beauty is at 525 W Remington Dr, Suite 102, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. We're open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:45 AM to 8 PM. Book the Chemical Peeling Series on our menu or call +1-650-784-6076, and mention whether you want the face or the back treated.