Edinburgh Chemical Peel for Red Carpet Results

If your skin feels dull, uneven, or congested, our Red Carpet facial - based on the renowned Obagi® Radiance Peel. It offers a fast, effective way to restore a radiant, smoother complexion.

This light to medium peel uses salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, clear pores, and stimulate renewal, giving you noticeably fresher skin in days, not weeks.

Whether you want to reduce breakouts, or even out skin tone, this professional peel is tailored to your individual needs and performed safely by our trained aesthetic practitioners.

This peel is suitable for most skin types and can be performed as a one-off refresh or part of a regular skin health programme.

What is the Obagi® Radiance Peel?

Developed by world-renowned dermatologist Dr Zein Obagi, the peel is trusted by millions worldwide for its proven results. This professionally formulated peel gently exfoliates and renews the skin with minimal downtime. Unlike deeper medical peels, it causes only light flaking rather than heavy peeling, so its the perfect prep for a special event.

We’ve enhanced this treatment into our signature Red Carpet facial by combining it with Dermalux® LED Light Therapy, which helps calm the skin and accelerate healing.

Benefits of the Red Carpet facial

Instant radiance: Brighter, smoother skin within days of treatment.
Improved clarity: Reduces congestion, blackheads, and surface blemishes.
Refined pores and texture: Helps smooth uneven tone and rough patches.
Reduce pigmentation: Gradually fades dark spots and sun damage.
Minimal downtime: Gentle flaking, not full peeling, so it’s event-ready.

How the Chemical Peel Works

At the heart of its formula is 20% salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) known for its multifunctional benefits:

Exfoliation: Salicylic acid removes dead skin cells from the surface, revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Pore Cleansing: Its oil-dissolving properties help unclog pores, making it especially effective for treating acne and preventing future breakouts.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Salicylic acid soothes redness and irritation, leaving your skin calm and balanced.
Cell Renewal: By clearing away surface layers, the peel accelerates natural skin renewal, improving pigmentation, tone, and texture.

This versatile chemical peel is suitable for most skin types and can be tailored to address specific concerns, ensuring that your skin receives the care it needs.

What to Expect During Treatment

Consultation & skin assessment

Your aesthetician will review your skin health and ensure suitability. If desired, we may use our Observ520X skin analysis system to visualise underlying pigmentation and oil distribution.

Preparation & application

The skin is cleansed and prepped to ensure even penetration. The Obagi® Radiance Peel solution is then applied in one or more layers, depending on your skin type and goals. You may feel a light tingling or warmth.

Neutralisation & LED therapy

Once complete, the peel is neutralised, and Dermalux® Red and Near-Infrared LED Light is applied to calm and repair the skin barrier.

Duration

The full appointment typically takes around 40–50 minutes, making it ideal for a lunchtime treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which facial is best for me?

Not sure what your skin needs? Start with a skin analysis. It captures detailed images, highlights concerns, and you’ll review them with our skin experts, who’ll recommend the right facial and skincare to help you reach your goals.

What preparation is required for a chemical peel?

1 week before the peel: Avoid any laser or IPL treatments.
3 days before: Stop products with tretinoin (vitamin A), benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid to reduce sensitivity.
After treatment: Restart these 2–7 days later, as advised by your aesthetician.

Which is right for me: Obagi® Radiance Peel or Hydrafacial®?

Both include a chemical peel step, but they work differently. Hydrafacial® uses a gentle peel with no visible flaking, ideal for a same-day glow. The Obagi® Radiance Peel is stronger and designed to cause light peeling for more noticeable resurfacing over a few days. Many clients alternate the two to suit their schedule and maximise results.

Can I wear makeup after my peel?

You can wear light, non-occlusive makeup the next day, but we recommend allowing your skin to breathe for 24 hours post-treatment.

Peel Aftercare & Recovery

You may experience light redness immediately after treatment and gentle peeling over the following few days. This is a normal and essential part of skin renewal.

Aftercare guidelines:

Avoid active ingredients (retinol, glycolic acid, exfoliants) for 3–5 days.
Keep skin well-hydrated and avoid picking or exfoliating flaking skin.
Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50 daily to protect your new skin.
Avoid heat, saunas, and intense exercise for 24–48 hours.

Your skin will continue to improve for several weeks as new collagen forms and tone evens out.

Who Should Avoid This Peel?

You may not be suitable for treatment if you:

Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Have an aspirin (salicylate) allergy.
Have open wounds, cold sores, or active dermatitis.

Your practitioner will always review contraindications during consultation.

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How Often Should I Have an Chemical Peel?

For healthy skin needing a quick pick-me-up, one session will deliver good results.

For lasting improvement with specific skin concerns, we typically recommend a course of 3–6 peels, spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Regular maintenance peels can help preserve your results and keep your skin healthy all year round.

Many of our patients alternate between the Red Carpet facial and Hydrafacial® for continuous glow and long-term rejuvenation.

Chemical Peel Price

No prior consultation required, but check the FAQs to ensure you are suitable. If you are unsure what your skin needs then consider booking a Skin Analysis to start your journey.