😰 Have you been struggling for years with skin concerns such as pigmented spots, melasma, or acne? Many people find that over-the-counter cosmetics don’t deliver the results they’re looking for. If that sounds familiar, chemical peeling treatment may be worth exploring!
💡 On this page, we primarily cover the following topics.
- ✨ What chemical peeling is
- 🎯 Skin conditions where peeling may be beneficial, and the effects you can expect
- 🏥 The difference between over-the-counter peeling products and clinic-based treatment
📢 Do any of these concerns sound familiar?
😔 You’ve almost given up on pigmented spots that just won’t fade after years of trying…
😭 Recurring acne makes it hard to enjoy wearing makeup…
😣 You feel self-conscious about blackheads when anyone gets too close…
Reading this article may help you find a way forward for your skin concerns! In just 5 minutes, you can learn about professional-grade peeling treatments available only at a clinic✨
At our clinic, we listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and symptoms, and propose a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. Please use the button below to book a consultation.
🔬 What Is Chemical Peeling? A Treatment That Removes Dead Skin Cells from the Surface
Chemical peeling is a treatment that uses a specially formulated agent to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Some people may feel apprehensive when they hear the phrase “peeling away the skin.”
Please rest assured, however! 😊 The process involves softening the stratum corneum before gently removing part of the outer skin layer, so there is no significant pain or bleeding. The type of peeling agent and its concentration are determined by the physician based on the treatment goals and your skin type.
🏥 Peeling performed at a clinic is carried out with the aim of treating the skin by removing the stratum corneum. Over-the-counter peeling products are designed for general skincare maintenance, so there is a considerable difference in efficacy compared to clinic-based peeling.
🎯 Three Skin Conditions Where Peeling May Be Beneficial
✨ Peeling may help improve a variety of skin concerns. As the name suggests, peeling works by removing layers of skin to encourage renewal. The three skin conditions where improvement may be expected include👇
- 🟤 Pigmented Spots & Melasma
- 🔴 Acne
- ⚫ Blackheads (clogged pores)
For those who have long struggled with persistent skin concerns without seeing improvement, peeling may offer a meaningful path forward!
🟤 Pigmented Spots & Melasma | Melanin Deposits in the Skin
“Pigmented spots” refer to a condition in which melanin becomes visible on the skin. Melanin is a pigment that protects skin cells from UV radiation; when produced in excess, it accumulates in the skin and forms pigmented spots. The color of these spots varies from person to person, ranging from light brown to near-black.
💡 “Melasma” is also a type of pigmented spot, primarily caused by hormonal imbalances related to female hormones and friction or other physical stimulation. When significant stress occurs, hormonal balance can be disrupted, and melasma may become more pronounced.
When the skin’s cell turnover (natural renewal cycle) does not function normally, melanin can accumulate in the skin, making pigmented spots more likely to develop.
🔴 Acne | Inflammation Caused by Clogged Pores
“Acne” is a condition caused by clogged sebum and debris in the pores, resulting in inflammation and swelling at the pore opening.
📊 Acne is classified into the following four types based on the stage of progression👇
- ⚪ Whiteheads
- ⚫ Blackheads
- 🔴 Red (inflammatory) acne
- 🟡 Yellow (pustular) acne
“Whiteheads” appear as pale blemishes on the affected area. As the affected area oxidizes, it darkens into “blackheads,” which can then progress to “red acne” as inflammation worsens. If red acne deteriorates further, pus accumulates and the condition advances to “yellow acne,” causing more severe inflammation.
⚫ Blackheads | Oxidized Debris and Keratin Plugs in the Pores
The sebaceous glands on the face are larger and more developed than those on the rest of the body, which makes clogged pores more noticeable. When debris and keratin plugs remain trapped in the pores, they eventually oxidize and turn dark.
💡 “Keratin plugs” are formed when keratin—a type of protein—becomes lodged in the pores, blocking them. You may be tempted to squeeze them out, but ⚠️ you should not forcefully push out keratin plugs!
Doing so can damage the skin and actually make it more prone to further sebum buildup. Please take care to avoid irritating the area.
✨ Five Ways Peeling May Benefit the Skin
🌟 The five specific ways in which peeling may benefit the skin are as follows👇
- 🔄 Promotes skin metabolism and helps normalize cell turnover
- ✨ Clears clogged pores and helps refine skin texture
- 💎 Helps eliminate melanin and may improve skin clarity
- 💧 Improves moisture retention for softer, more supple skin
- 🛡️ Helps inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria, supporting acne prevention
Let’s look at each of these effects in more detail 😊
🔄 Promotes Skin Metabolism and Helps Normalize Cell Turnover
Cell turnover refers to the cycle by which the skin undergoes natural renewal. In healthy skin, the stratum corneum sheds approximately every 28 days, allowing new cells to form.
⚠️ When old skin cells remain on the surface, they can become a source of skin concerns. Normalizing cell turnover may help restore healthier-looking skin.
Peeling is drawing attention as a treatment that can help normalize disrupted cell turnover and support skin rejuvenation!
✨ Clears Clogged Pores and Helps Refine Skin Texture
Finer skin texture is associated with a more even, radiant complexion. However, excessive sebum production or makeup residue left on the skin can significantly disrupt skin texture. This is because sebum and keratin plugs become trapped in the pores.
✨ Peeling can help thoroughly clear debris from clogged pores. Keeping pores clear is a fundamental step toward healthier-looking skin!
💎 Helps Eliminate Melanin and May Improve Skin Clarity
Melanin is a pigment responsible for skin coloration. It is produced deep within the epidermis and plays a role in blocking UV rays from reaching skin cells. However, when melanin is produced in excess, cell turnover alone may not be sufficient to eliminate it. Melanin that cannot be cleared through cell turnover accumulates in the skin and can become a cause of pigmented spots.
💡 Peeling is a treatment approach aimed at helping to eliminate the melanin that contributes to pigmented spots. By breaking down melanin pigment through peeling, you may work toward a clearer, more luminous complexion ✨
💧 Improves Moisture Retention for Softer, More Supple Skin
Have you ever found that your dry skin didn’t improve no matter how diligently you cared for it? 😔 When dry skin stubbornly persists, it is often because the skin’s barrier function—responsible for retaining moisture—has become compromised. The barrier function works to prevent excessive evaporation of the skin’s moisture.
✨ Peeling may improve the skin’s moisture retention and help strengthen the barrier function. Since it can support improvement toward a softer skin texture, many people who receive peeling treatment for rough or dull skin notice a meaningful difference!
🛡️ Helps Inhibit the Growth of Acne-Causing Bacteria, Supporting Acne Prevention
Peeling may help prevent the development of acne. Acne develops because acne-causing bacteria (C. acnes) proliferate in sebum and keratin plugs trapped in the pores.
When these bacteria become more active, acne can develop. Because peeling is a treatment that removes sebum and keratin plugs from the pores, it helps reduce the environment in which acne-causing bacteria can thrive 🛡️
Since existing acne takes time to heal, it is worth focusing on creating skin that is less prone to breakouts in the first place!
💬 Are you starting to feel curious about peeling after reading this far?
The truth is, over-the-counter peeling products are unlikely to deliver the kind of results you can expect from professional treatment… 😥
In the next section, we’ll explain in detail why clinic-based peeling makes a difference 👇
⚠️ Three Reasons to Reconsider Over-the-Counter Peeling Soaps and Gels
❌ It is generally advisable to avoid over-the-counter peeling soaps and gels. The three specific reasons are as follows 👇
- ❌ Over-the-counter products are unlikely to be effective on existing pigmented spots
- 🏠 It is difficult to have access at home to the equipment required for peeling treatment
- ⚠️ Self-treatment based on uninformed judgment can lead to worsening of symptoms
Treating skin concerns safely requires high-performance equipment and the knowledge and experience of a specialist physician. To avoid causing serious skin problems down the line, it is important to make careful, informed decisions.
❌ Over-the-Counter Products Are Unlikely to Be Effective on Existing Pigmented Spots
Over-the-counter peeling soaps and gels are unlikely to fade existing pigmented spots 😥 This is because they do not contain ingredients that promote the elimination of melanin.
💡 Melanin is the pigment produced to protect the skin from UV radiation. The ingredient that promotes melanin elimination is salicylic acid macrogol, which has the effect of dissolving and exfoliating the stratum corneum.
Effective treatment of pigmented spots requires the use of ingredients that actively promote melanin elimination!
🏠 It Is Difficult to Have Access at Home to the Equipment Required for Peeling Treatment
An accurate assessment of skin condition is essential to maximize the effects of peeling. At our clinic, we use skin diagnostic devices equipped with advanced analysis technology to assess primarily the following parameters 👇
- 🎨 Uneven skin tone
- 👁️ Condition of underlying (non-visible) pigmented spots
- 🦠 Porphyrins (metabolic byproducts of acne-causing bacteria)
Since it is difficult to have access at home to equipment capable of performing a detailed analysis of skin condition, there is a risk of being unable to select an appropriate treatment approach.
⚠️ Self-Treatment Based on Uninformed Judgment Can Lead to Worsening of Symptoms
There are many over-the-counter peeling soaps and gels available. When using such products, it is essential to follow the recommended frequency and amount exactly. ⚠️ Proceeding on uninformed self-judgment carries a risk of causing serious skin problems.
If you notice any abnormality in your skin while using an over-the-counter peeling soap or gel, stop use immediately and seek advice from a physician.
💫 If You Are Considering Peeling, Should You Also Consider Iontophoresis or Collagen Peel?
🎯 The two treatments that complement peeling particularly well are 👇
- ⚡ Iontophoresis
- ✨ Collagen Peel
After peeling, the skin is in a state where active ingredients delivered through iontophoresis are absorbed more efficiently! Collagen Peel is a treatment that may support collagen production, making it a suitable option for those seeking firmer, more resilient skin 💕
⚡ Post-Peeling Skin Is in a State That Allows Active Ingredients from Iontophoresis to Penetrate More Effectively
Iontophoresis is a treatment that uses a mild electrical current to deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin. Its penetration is said to be many times greater than that of standard skincare products! 😲
💡 When iontophoresis is performed on skin that has just been treated with peeling, the effects may be further enhanced. This is because the removal of dead skin cells through peeling leaves the skin in an especially receptive state for absorbing active ingredients.
Over-the-counter beauty devices are designed with lower electrical output as a safety consideration for general consumers. In contrast, iontophoresis devices used at clinics can be set to higher output levels under physician supervision.
✨ At our clinic, we offer treatment combining peeling with iontophoresis.
✨ Collagen Peel May Support Collagen Production
Collagen Peel is an advanced peeling treatment designed to deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin than conventional methods. Since it involves massaging the active ingredients into the skin during application, it is also known by the alternative name “massage peel.”
Conventional peeling works by delivering active ingredients from the skin surface to the epidermis. In contrast, Collagen Peel delivers active ingredients from the epidermis into the dermal layer.
🌟 As its name suggests, Collagen Peel may also support collagen production. This means Collagen Peel has the potential to provide the skin with greater firmness and elasticity than conventional peeling!
⚠️ Three Potential Drawbacks of Peeling, Iontophoresis, and Collagen Peel
📋 If you are considering peeling, iontophoresis, or Collagen Peel, it is important to understand the potential drawbacks beforehand. The three key considerations are as follows 👇
- 💰 Treatment costs are higher than self-care options
- ☀️ The skin becomes more sensitive and susceptible to UV exposure
- 😣 Some people may experience discomfort or itching
🏥 At a clinic, specialist treatment is performed under a physician’s supervision using equipment and agents available only in medical settings. As a result, treatment costs tend to be higher, and the skin may become more sensitive following treatment.
💰 Treatment Costs Are Higher Than Self-Care Options
Clinic-based treatment is more costly than self-care. However, if you want to address skin concerns safely, focusing solely on low cost is not necessarily the best approach.
✨ This is because clinics offer tailored treatment plans suited to your individual condition and have access to equipment for accurate skin assessment. The higher cost reflects the quality of care provided, and treatment focused on meaningful results can be expected. At our clinic, installment payments starting from 3,000 yen per month (3,300 yen including tax) are available 💳
☀️ The Skin Becomes More Sensitive and Susceptible to UV Exposure
⚠️ The skin is particularly sensitive immediately after receiving peeling or other treatments at a clinic. This is because the removal of the stratum corneum temporarily makes the skin more permeable to UV radiation.
☀️ After treatment, please apply a gentle sunscreen and take care to minimize sun exposure as much as possible. Sunscreens that use “UV-scattering agents” (physical blockers) are recommended, as they tend to place less burden on the skin.
If you notice any abnormality in your skin during post-treatment care, please consult a physician promptly 🏥
😣 Some People May Experience Discomfort or Itching
Depending on the individual, some discomfort or itching may be experienced during clinic treatment. The discomfort is typically described as a mild snapping sensation, similar to a rubber band flicking against the skin, and is generally tolerable.
In addition, some individuals may experience itching if their skin is sensitive to the agents used during treatment. Since the degree of itching varies from person to person, we recommend trying your first treatment session at the special introductory price to see how well it suits your skin!
💰 Peeling & Iontophoresis Pricing at IC Clinic
Pricing for peeling and iontophoresis at our clinic varies depending on the treatment area, number of iontophoresis sessions, and other factors.
💡 For details, please refer to the Skin Beautification & Radiance Price List.
🏥 For Comprehensive Skin Improvement, Visit IC Clinic
✨ Summary ✨
Chemical peeling is a treatment that uses a specially formulated agent to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. In addition to addressing pigmented spots and melasma, it may also be beneficial for acne and skin dullness. Furthermore, normalizing disrupted cell turnover may support an improvement in your skin’s natural condition 💕
🌟 At our clinic, we also offer treatments combining iontophoresis and Collagen Peel. If you are concerned about pigmented spots, melasma, or acne, please feel free to consult us.
🎁 Introductory pricing available for first-time patients!
😊 We propose a treatment plan tailored to each individual patient and are committed to delivering meaningful results.
💬 We take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and symptoms, so please feel free to start with a consultation ✨
⏰ Don’t put it off any longer! Take your first step toward healthier skin today 👇
