Chemical Peels in St. Petersburg
Desiree offers four chemical peels, from $99 to $275, out of her studio in downtown St. Petersburg. They range from a gentle resurfacing treatment you can have on a lunch break and go straight back to work, to a medium-depth peel that takes ten days and is not offered on a first visit.
Which one you want depends entirely on what you are trying to fix and how much visible peeling you are willing to live with. Thirty years behind the chair means the recommendation you get is based on your actual skin, not on what is on the shelf.
Which peel is right for me?
Start with the concern, not the price.
- Dullness, rough texture, an event this week — Alpha Jewel. No downtime, safe in summer, and the one to choose if you have never had a peel.
- Acne, blackheads, oiliness, hyperpigmentation, scarring — Illumin Peel. Four acids, very little to no shedding.
- Already booked for microneedling or a Korean facial — add the Illumin Peel to it for $99 instead of booking it separately.
- Deep coarse wrinkles, stubborn pigment, pore size, real scarring — Isomer Peel. This is the serious one, and it comes with real peeling.
- You just want to look smooth for something on Saturday — dermaplaning, not a peel at all. See below.
Clear Choice Alpha Jewel, the no-downtime peel, $165
A gentle resurfacing treatment that removes dead skin while infused precious gems deliver minerals and antioxidants to stressed skin. Steam, gentle extractions and a mask are included.
This is the peel for busy people and for anyone new to peels. It is also the one that is safe in summer, which matters in Florida more than it does most places.
Illumin Peel, the four-acid peel, $199
The Illumin peel contains four different types of acid, TCA, AHA, BHA and PHA, for an instant brightening and rejuvenated effect. Squalane and Bixa Orellana seed protect the formula from oxidation and lay down a moisturising, protective oil film on the skin during the treatment.
Indications include skin rejuvenation, acne, scarring, blackheads, hyperpigmentation and regulating sebum production, with very little to no shedding or downtime.
If your skin is congested or you are fighting pigment and you cannot take a week off looking presentable, this is the one.
Illumin Peel as an add-on, $99
The same peel, added onto a treatment you are already booked for. It can be added to microneedling, to a VIP treatment, or to any of the medical-grade Korean facial treatments.
If you are already coming in for something else, this is the cheaper way to get it.
Add the Illumin Peel to a treatment
Isomer Peel, medium depth, $275
This peel delivers acids to the papillary layer of the skin. It penetrates deeper and combines several types of acid aimed at specific concerns, namely hyperpigmentation, scarring, rough texture, deep coarse wrinkles and pore size.
Be honest with yourself about the downtime. There will be three to four days of heavy peeling, beginning three days after the peel is applied. The whole thing is a ten-day process and you must avoid sun exposure throughout.
It is not offered on a first visit. Prep is needed to get the best result, and post care is included.
Not a peel, but often the right answer
A lot of people who search for a chemical peel actually want dermaplaning. It is $85 for thirty minutes, it removes dead surface skin and fine peach fuzz with a sterile blade, there is no acid involved and no downtime at all, and the difference is visible the moment you sit up.
If your goal is to look smooth and have makeup sit properly for something this weekend, that is usually the better booking.
How to prepare
For the Isomer Peel specifically, come off all exfoliants, acne medications, spray tans and waxing services one full week before your appointment. That last one matters, so book any facial waxing well clear of the peel rather than the week of.
For the gentler peels, tell Desiree at booking what you are currently using on your skin, particularly retinoids and acids. She will tell you what to pause.
After your peel
Sun protection is not optional after any peel, and it is the single thing most likely to undo the result. With the Isomer Peel you must avoid sun exposure for the full ten days.
Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ is the mineral sunscreen she keeps in the studio for exactly this.
Questions people ask
Will I actually peel?
It depends which one. The Alpha Jewel has no downtime. The Illumin Peel produces very little to no shedding. The Isomer Peel produces three to four days of heavy peeling that starts three days after the treatment.
Can I have a peel in the summer?
Yes, and the Alpha Jewel is specifically safe for summer. The Isomer Peel requires avoiding sun exposure for ten days, which is harder to manage in July in Florida, so plan that one for a quieter stretch.
Can I have a peel on my first visit?
The Alpha Jewel is safe for those new to peel treatments, so yes. The Isomer Peel is not offered on a first visit, because prep is needed to get the best result.
How far before an event should I book?
Alpha Jewel and Illumin can be done close to an event, since there is little to no downtime. Do not book an Isomer Peel inside two weeks of anything you need to look good for, because the heavy peeling lands on days three through six.
What do I need to stop using beforehand?
Before the Isomer Peel, stop exfoliants, acne medications, spray tans and waxing one week out. For the other peels, ask at booking.
Can I add a peel to another treatment?
Yes. The Illumin Peel can be added to microneedling, a VIP treatment, or any of the medical-grade Korean facial treatments for $99.
Is aftercare included?
Post care is included with the Isomer Peel.
Book a peel in St. Petersburg
Clear Choice Alpha Jewel, no downtime — $165
Illumin Peel — $199
Illumin Peel add-on — $99
Isomer Peel, medium depth — $275
Dermaplaning — $85
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