Chemical Peels
Controlled resurfacing for pigment, melasma and clarity — chosen by depth, and written for a city with no off-season.
A chemical peel applies a provider-selected acid for a controlled interval to accelerate turnover. Depth determines reach: light peels brighten tone with little to no flaking, medium peels address pigment sitting deeper. In Charleston we favour lighter, more frequent peels with strict daily SPF.
Pigment challenges in Charleston.
Every city has a signature skin complaint. Here it is pigment — melasma across the cheeks, sun spots along the hairline, the uneven tone that arrives after enough summers on the water. Humidity and reflected light off the harbour mean UV exposure is effectively year-round, and pigment responds to that accumulation rather than to any single burn.
Peels are the most reliable tool we have for it, provided they are chosen properly. Depth is the entire decision: too light and nothing changes, too aggressive and melasma-prone skin can rebound worse than it started. So we work in series, at lighter depths, and we adjust as your skin tells us what it tolerates.
The prevention for all pigment issues is sunscreen — the primary reason we offer our Society-exclusive medical grade sunscreen, Throwing Shade.
Six concerns, adjusted by depth.
Melasma
Managed, not cured — a series of lighter peels with a home protocol and non-negotiable SPF.
Sun damage
Spots and mottled tone from accumulated Lowcountry exposure.
Acne & congestion
Salicylic-based peels clear pores and calm active breakouts.
Post-acne marks
Red and brown marks left behind after breakouts have healed.
Dullness
Turnover accelerates and light returns to the skin within days.
Fine texture
Rough patches and fine lines soften as surface cells are cleared.
Three levels, one honest recommendation.
Your provider selects the depth and agent at assessment. In Charleston, lighter and more frequent usually beats deeper and rarer.
Light
RefreshSurface brightening and clarity. Safe every four weeks, and the right choice a week before an event.
Medium
CorrectReaches pigment sitting deeper. Book two weeks clear of anything that matters.
Series
ManageThe approach for melasma and accumulated sun damage — cumulative, monitored, and paired with a home protocol.
Lighter, more often.
Aggressive peels photograph well in before-and-afters and behave badly in a subtropical climate. We build results in series and protect them with sunscreen.
What the appointment looks like.
Assessment
Magnified analysis, pigment history, sun exposure and a frank conversation about depth.
Prep
Degreasing cleanse so the acid contacts skin evenly.
Application
The peel is applied and timed precisely, then neutralized. Expect warmth and tingling.
Aftercare
Barrier balm, sunscreen, and written instructions — no retinoids, acids or sun for a week.
Any peel we offer, monthly.
Chemical peels are one of the monthly Society Circle selections — which is how most members run a full pigment series without paying per session.
Frequently asked.
What does a chemical peel treat?
{{ s0 }}Pigment and melasma, sun damage, congestion and acne, dullness, and fine texture. Depth determines what it reaches — a light peel refreshes surface tone, a medium peel addresses pigment sitting deeper.
Will I actually peel?
{{ s1 }}It depends on the depth. A light peel often produces no visible flaking at all, just a brighter finish over a few days. Medium peels typically flake between days three and five. Your provider will tell you exactly what to expect before you book around an event.
How many peels do I need for melasma?
{{ s2 }}Melasma is managed rather than cured, and it usually takes a series of three to six light-to-medium peels alongside a home protocol and strict daily SPF. In Charleston, without the sunscreen the peels will not hold.
Are peels safe in a sunny climate like Charleston?
{{ s3 }}Yes, with discipline. We favour lighter, more frequent peels here rather than aggressive single treatments, and every plan requires daily broad-spectrum SPF — starting with our own Throwing Shade. Peeling without sun protection in the Lowcountry is how pigment comes back worse.
Can I have a peel if I have darker skin?
{{ s4 }}Yes, with the right agent and depth. Deeper skin tones carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory pigment, so we choose gentler acids and build slowly. This is precisely the sort of judgement a provider-led practice exists for.
How soon before an event should I have one?
{{ s5 }}Two weeks for a medium peel, one week for a light one. If your event is in three days, book GLACE or dermaplaning instead.
What can I not do afterwards?
{{ s6 }}No retinoids, acids or scrubs for a week, no waxing, and no direct sun. Swimming and heavy sweating should wait 48 hours.
Preserved. Never altered.
Consultations are unhurried and thorough. Historic King Street, Third Floor, downtown Charleston.