Skin Peels
Medical skin peels in Marylebone and St John’s Wood, London, with Dr Toro Ogundoyin: a clinical-strength resurfacing treatment at a depth chosen for your skin rather than one house peel applied to everyone.
The short answer
What is a medical skin peel?
A skin peel uses a clinical-strength acid solution to lift away the dull, damaged outer layers of skin so fresher skin can come through, and to speed up turnover in the layers beneath. It is one of the oldest treatments in dermatology and still one of the most useful, because it treats tone and texture at the same time.
Depth is the whole decision. A light peel brightens, smooths and unclogs with almost no downtime, and suits someone who wants their skin to look better next week. A moderate peel does considerably more for pigmentation, sun damage and texture, and asks for a few days of visible flaking in return.
The second decision is whether your skin is ready. Peels on deeper skin tones can trigger post-inflammatory pigmentation if the depth or the preparation is wrong, so Dr Toro often prescribes a skincare routine for a few weeks first. That preparation is not an upsell; it is what makes the peel safe.
Skin peels at a glance
- Treatment time30 to 45 minutes
- Light peel downtimeMild flaking, 2 to 4 days
- Moderate peel downtimePeeling, 3 to 7 days
- CourseOften 3 to 6, spaced a few weeks apart
- AfterwardsDaily SPF, no exceptions
- Do notPick or pull the flaking skin
- From£240 per treatment
A skin peel can help to:
Brighten skin that has gone flat and dull
Removing the built-up surface layer changes how skin reflects light almost immediately. This is the fastest visible result a peel gives.
Fade pigmentation and sun damage
A moderate peel reaches the layers holding excess pigment. It works best as a course, alongside prescribed skincare and daily sun protection, rather than as a one-off.
Smooth rough or congested texture
Clearing the pore lining and speeding up turnover reduces the bumpy, blocked feel that no amount of scrubbing at home improves.
Soften the marks acne leaves behind
The flat brown or red marks left after a spot are pigment and inflammation rather than scarring, and they respond well to peeling.
Refine fine lines
Increased turnover and a smoother surface soften fine lines. Deeper lines need a different treatment and Dr Toro will say so.
Prepare skin for other treatments
Injectables sit in the skin you already have. Improving tone and texture first is often what makes a full plan look considered rather than patched together.
What a skin peel is used for
Follow any of these to read what causes it and how Dr Toro treats it.
- Pigmentation and uneven skin tone
- Skin quality, dullness and dryness
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Looking tired
- Congestion and enlarged pores
- Marks left after acne
Areas treated
Face
Body
Skin peels near you, at either London clinic
- UNTIL Marylebone 1 Orchard Street, London W1H 6HJ View location →
- Kailash Centre, St John’s Wood 7 Newcourt Street, London NW8 7AA View location →
Boundaries of practice
What's not treated
Good practice means saying no when indicated:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Under 18 years of age
- Active infection, eczema, dermatitis or a cold sore outbreak in the treatment area
- Recent sun exposure, sunburn or recent self-tan on the area
- Oral acne medication currently or within the past six months, assessed individually
- A history of keloid scarring or of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, assessed individually
Patient journey
What to expect from a skin peel
Consultation & preparation
Stop retinoids and exfoliating acids five days beforehand and avoid waxing, threading or hair removal creams on the area for a week. No sun exposure or self-tan for two weeks. Come with clean skin and no makeup, and tell Dr Toro about any oral acne medication in the past six months.
During treatment
Aftercare
Use only a gentle cleanser and a plain moisturiser until the skin has settled, and daily SPF without exception. Do not pick, pull or exfoliate flaking skin. Avoid exercise, saunas, swimming and direct sun for 48 hours, and makeup for 24 hours. Restart retinoids only when Dr Toro says your skin is ready.
Skin peel prices in Marylebone and St John’s Wood
Pigmentation in particular is treated as a course alongside prescribed skincare rather than as a single peel, and the consultation sets out the whole plan and what it costs before you commit. Prices are reviewed periodically.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Toro Ogundoyin, Aesthetic Doctor: MBBS, DIP. FSRH · General Medical Council: a medical skin procedure assessed and carried out by a GMC-registered doctor in a CQC-registered clinic.
FAQ
Skin peel questions
How much will I actually peel?
A light peel usually gives mild flaking around the nose and mouth on days two to four, and many people barely peel at all. A moderate peel peels visibly across days three to seven. Plan a moderate peel for a quiet week, and never in the week before an event that matters.
Are peels safe on darker skin?
Yes, with the right depth and preparation. Deeper skin tones carry a real risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation if a peel is too aggressive, so Dr Toro often prescribes skincare for a few weeks first, starts gentler, and insists on daily sun protection. Where the risk outweighs the benefit she will suggest something else.
How many peels will I need?
One peel gives brightness. Changing pigmentation or texture usually takes a course of three to six, spaced a few weeks apart, alongside a prescribed routine at home. Dr Toro will tell you at consultation roughly how many your skin is likely to need rather than selling them one at a time.
What should I stop using before a peel?
Stop retinoids and exfoliating acids about five days beforehand, and avoid waxing, threading and hair removal creams on the area for a week. Avoid sun exposure and self-tan for two weeks. Tell Dr Toro about any oral acne medication, currently or in the past six months.
Can I have a peel with other treatments?
Yes, spaced rather than stacked. Peels combine well with prescription skincare, which does the daily work between appointments, and with microneedling in a longer plan. Leave around two weeks between a peel and injectable treatment in the same area so the skin is calm for each.
Related Treatments
Get Started
Book your consultation
with Dr Toro
Dr. Toro Aesthetics • 1 Orchard Street, UNTIL Marylebone, London W1H 6HJ • Kailash Centre, 7 Newcourt Street, London NW8 7AA
BookConsultations are £90 and include a written treatment and skincare plan.