A chemical peel uses a mild acid to lift off the top layer of skin so newer, smoother skin grows back. The benefits people notice most are fewer breakouts, lighter dark spots, softer fine lines and a brighter tone. A light peel heals in 3 to 7 days, and most goals take 3 to 5 peels a few weeks apart.
At Above & Beyond Wellness Spa in Fenton, Missouri, chemical peels cost $90 to $195 each. A peel is not for you if you took isotretinoin in the last six months, are pregnant, or have an active cold sore. The rest of this guide covers what a peel will and will not do, what it costs, and how to prepare.
I am Sarah Hankammer, owner of Above & Beyond Wellness Spa and a Licensed Massage Therapist, LMT (Missouri license 2015027635, verify with the state). Our licensed estheticians perform every peel at 50 Fenton Plaza, and this guide follows their written peel protocol and the medical sources listed at the end.
What a chemical peel does to your skin
The esthetician cleanses your face, then applies an acid such as glycolic, lactic, salicylic or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The acid loosens the bonds between dead surface cells. Those cells flake off over the next few days.
The skin that replaces them is smoother, brighter and more even in color. Medium-depth peels also signal the skin to build new collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm.
Peels come in three depths. A spa performs the first two. The third is a physician procedure done under sedation.
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Depth | What it removes | Heals in | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (superficial) | The outer layer only (epidermis) | 3 to 7 days. Makeup the next day | Every 2 to 5 weeks, usually 3 to 5 peels to reach a goal |
| Medium | The outer layer plus the top of the middle layer (dermis) | 7 to 14 days. Makeup after 5 to 7 days | Every 6 to 12 months to maintain |
| Deep (phenol) | Down to the lower middle layer | About 2 weeks for new skin. Redness for months | Once. Medical setting only, not offered at a spa |
Depth, healing and repeat intervals: Mayo Clinic (2024) and Cleveland Clinic. Links are in the references.
The main benefits, and which peel gives each
Every benefit below comes from the same event: dead cells come off faster and new cells replace them. The acid decides how deep that happens and which problem it fixes.
Tap the result you want. The answer opens right below it.
Fewer breakouts and less oilPeel that fits: Salicylic acid, light
How the peel does it: Salicylic acid dissolves oil inside the pore and clears the plug.
Peel that fits: Salicylic acid, light.
Lighter dark spots and sun spotsPeel that fits: Glycolic or lactic series
How the peel does it: Faster cell turnover carries excess pigment off the surface.
Peel that fits: Glycolic or lactic series. TCA for stubborn spots.
Smoother texture and smaller-looking poresPeel that fits: Glycolic, light to medium
How the peel does it: Dead-cell buildup and rough patches come off.
Peel that fits: Glycolic, light to medium.
Softer fine linesPeel that fits: TCA or a blended medium peel
How the peel does it: Medium peels prompt new collagen under the surface.
Peel that fits: TCA or a blended medium peel.
Brighter, more even tonePeel that fits: Lactic acid, light
How the peel does it: New cells reflect light more evenly than dull ones.
Peel that fits: Lactic acid, light.
Faded shallow acne marksPeel that fits: Glycolic or Jessner series
How the peel does it: Each round of turnover thins the mark.
Peel that fits: Glycolic or Jessner series.
Skincare that works betterPeel that fits: Any light peel
How the peel does it: Products reach fresh skin instead of sitting on dead cells.
Peel that fits: Any light peel.
What a peel will not do. A peel cannot remove deep scars, deep wrinkles or sagging skin, and Mayo Clinic says so plainly. For those, laser resurfacing and non-surgical lifting work at a depth a peel does not reach.
When you will see results
After one light peel, most people see brighter skin within days, once the flaking stops. Texture and pore size improve over 2 to 3 peels.
Dark spots and acne need a series. Cleveland Clinic puts the usual course at 3 to 5 light peels, 2 to 5 weeks apart. Our corrective series is 3 to 4 peels, 4 weeks apart.
A medium peel gives noticeably smoother skin once it heals, at 7 to 14 days. Redness peaks around day 4 or 5 and can linger for weeks.
Results are not permanent. New sun exposure brings new spots and lines. Your esthetician sets a maintenance schedule at your consultation, based on your skin and the peel you had.
What a peel series costs here
At Above & Beyond Wellness Spa a single chemical peel costs $90 to $195. The price depends on the depth and any add-ons, and your esthetician quotes the exact figure at your consultation.
Our corrective series for mature, sun-damaged or acne-prone skin is 3 to 4 peels spaced 4 weeks apart. It includes a Cosmedix pre- or post-care kit, a $44 value. At single-peel prices, a full series runs $270 to $780 before any package or membership discount.
We use Cosmedix medical-grade peels. We also offer a neck-and-chest peel and a hand peel, because the thin skin there shows sun damage first.
Peels are cosmetic, so insurance does not cover them. A spa membership lowers the per-peel price if you plan a course.
The week before your peel
Level 1+ and Level 2+ peels at our spa need at least one week of prep. This is the checklist our estheticians give, with the reason next to each rule.
- 7 days out: stop scrubs, exfoliating acids and retinoid creams unless your esthetician tells you otherwise. Skin that is already thinned peels unevenly.
- 7 days out: no electrolysis, hair-removal creams, hair dye or straightening treatments on the area. They irritate the skin the peel is about to work on.
- 14 days out: no tanning beds and no unprotected sun. Tanned skin is more likely to heal with uneven color.
- 3 days out: no waxing on the area. Freshly waxed skin lets the acid go deeper than planned.
- 24 hours out: do not shave the area.
- All week: drink water, and follow the pre-peel kit if your peel includes one.
- If you get cold sores: tell us when you book. A peel can trigger an outbreak. Your doctor can prescribe an antiviral to start 24 hours before.
Prep rules: our own peel protocol, plus Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic patient guidance.
Enter your peel date to see the day each rule starts. The same rules are written out in the text above. Your esthetician confirms your exact plan.
What happens at the appointment
- Consultation and skin analysis. Before your first peel we run a 360-degree skin analysis. It covers your home products, sun exposure, lifestyle and any medication that could react with the peel. You leave with a written plan the same day.
- Cleanse. The esthetician removes makeup and oil so the acid reaches the skin evenly.
- Apply. The peel goes on with a brush or gauze. You feel tingling or warmth. Mild stinging is normal.
- Neutralize or cool. Glycolic peels are stopped with a neutralizing solution, and a brief wave of warmth as it goes on is normal chemistry. TCA peels stop on their own and are cooled with compresses. Stinging from a medium peel can last up to 20 minutes.
- Protect. Moisturizer and sunscreen go on before you leave, with your post-care plan.
Aftercare in short
Cleveland Clinic puts light-peel healing at about 3 to 7 days and medium-peel healing at 7 to 14 days. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day after any peel, and stay out of the sun until the area has fully healed.
For every day of recovery by peel depth, plus when to restart retinol and makeup, read our chemical peel aftercare guide.
Red light therapy and LED sessions can be paired with a peel here to support healing. Ask at your consultation.
When to wait, and why
A peel is safe for most adults. These are the situations where our estheticians will ask you to wait, and what to do instead.
Tap anything that sounds like you.
Isotretinoin (Accutane) in the last 6 monthsWait 6 months
Why it matters: Skin heals slowly and can scar.
What to do instead: Wait the 6 months. A hydrating facial in the meantime.
An active cold sore, or frequent outbreaksWait until it heals
Why it matters: A peel can set off a flare across the face.
What to do instead: Wait until it heals. Ask your doctor about an antiviral before the next peel.
Open breakouts, cuts, sunburn or a rash on the areaWait until skin is intact
Why it matters: Acid on broken skin burns deeper and unevenly.
What to do instead: Wait until the skin is intact.
Waxed the area in the last 3 daysWait 3 days
Why it matters: Freshly stripped skin lets the acid go deeper than planned.
What to do instead: Book the peel first, or wait 3 days.
Pregnant or nursingAsk your doctor
Why it matters: Mayo Clinic lists pregnancy as a reason to hold off. Hormones also raise the risk of dark patches.
What to do instead: Ask your doctor. Choose a facial for now.
Keloids or raised scars, in you or your familyLight peels only
Why it matters: Higher risk of scarring.
What to do instead: Light peels only, after a consultation. Medium and deep peels are usually off the table.
Deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV to VI)Light peels, slower series
Why it matters: More risk of dark patches after healing, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
What to do instead: Light lactic or mandelic peels, a slower series and strict sunscreen. Ask about a patch test.
Cannot stay out of the sun while healingPick a cooler month
Why it matters: New skin can color unevenly, sometimes for good.
What to do instead: Book in a cooler month, or plan a quiet week indoors.
Sources: Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic patient pages, linked in the references.
Peel, microneedling or laser resurfacing?
A peel fixes what sits on the surface. Microneedling and lasers work below it (see does microneedling work). We offer all three, and the table compares them with our prices.
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Treatment | Good for | Downtime | Price here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical peel | Breakouts, dark spots, dullness, fine lines | Light: 3 to 7 days of flaking. Medium: 7 to 14 days | $90 to $195 |
| Microneedling | Acne scars, texture, fine lines, most skin tones | Minimal | $250 member, $285 non-member. 90-minute visit |
| Fractional non-ablative laser | Gradual collagen building with no surface break | Little to none | $250 to $300 per session |
| Fractional ablative laser | Mild to moderate wrinkles and age spots | 3 to 5 days of redness | $950 to $1,000 per session |
| Full-beam laser resurfacing | Deep wrinkles, heavy sun damage, acne scars | 7 to 14 days of redness | $1,100 to $1,200 per session |
Laser prices are the member and non-member rates on our laser services and pricing page. Every laser treatment here runs on one Fotona TimeWalker 4D Pro platform.
When to book a peel around St. Louis
A corrective series of 3 to 4 peels at 4-week spacing takes 12 to 16 weeks. Start in October and you finish by February, before the spring sun. Summer peels here are light ones, with sunscreen and a hat, and never the week before a lake trip.
Clients drive to us in Fenton from Valley Park, Sunset Hills, Arnold, Kirkwood, High Ridge and Des Peres. Most live within about 15 miles.
Pick the date of your first peel to see each peel date, four weeks apart.
This is the spacing in our corrective series, four weeks apart. Your esthetician sets your exact schedule at your consultation.
Book a chemical peel consultation
Your first visit is the consultation with the 360-degree skin analysis, and your peel plan is written the same day. Book online, or call 1-636-492-2668. Above & Beyond Wellness Spa, 50 Fenton Plaza, Fenton, MO 63026.
Frequently asked questions
The answers below cover points the sections above skip.
Results from a light peel last a few months, and a series lasts longer. New sun damage brings new spots and lines, so results are not permanent. Daily sunscreen and a maintenance peel keep the gain.
A light peel feels like tingling or warmth with mild stinging for a few minutes. A medium TCA peel stings for up to 20 minutes and is cooled with compresses. Numbing is not needed for either.
Yes, a light peel, with daily sunscreen, a hat and no tanning. A full corrective series fits better between October and March. New skin is easier to keep out of strong sun then.
Cleveland Clinic lists a risk of temporary or permanent color change in some skin types, a low risk of scarring that can usually be treated, rare infections and a small chance of reactivating a cold sore. Your esthetician checks your history at the consultation before choosing a peel.
They can. According to Cleveland Clinic, taking birth control pills, being pregnant, or having a relative with brownish skin discoloration on the face can raise the chance of uneven pigmentation after a peel. Tell your esthetician when you book, so the peel type and strength are planned around it.
Cleveland Clinic lists dark patches called melasma, linked to pregnancy or birth control pills, among the concerns a peel can help reduce. The right acid and depth depend on your skin, so your esthetician decides after a skin analysis and may plan a gentler series.
Compare peels with microneedling, browse the full facial and skin care range, or read more about Sarah Hankammer, who owns the spa. If you book microneedling, read the microneedling aftercare plan, day by day.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Chemical peel (reviewed March 2024)
- Cleveland Clinic: Chemical Peels
- PMC: A Practical Approach to Chemical Peels, a review of fundamentals and step-by-step protocol
- FDA: Alpha Hydroxy Acids and sun sensitivity
This guide gives general information, not medical advice. Ask a licensed professional about your own skin.