A - Z Guide

What is BHA Chemical Peel?

A BHA or beta hydroxy acid peel is similar in strength to a AHA peel and is used to treat acne, remove blemishes and generate brighter, smoother looking skin.

What is it and how does it work?
Beta hydroxy acids, the most common of which used is salicyclic acid, is a lipid soluble acid extracted from willow bark. A BHA peel removes bacteria and sebum oil along with the top layer of dead skin cells, making it an ideal treatment for bacterial skin infections such as psoriasis, dermatitis and acne as well as clearing blackheads. BHA is an anti-inflammatory, reducing the amount of inflammation and irritation caused by a chemical peel. Common concentrations of BHA used are 20-30%.

What happens during a session?
During a BHA peel, the treatment area is cleaned thoroughly to remove oil and residual make up then the acid solution is applied and left on the skin for 10-20 minutes. The whole procedure should only take around half an hour.

Who and what is it good for?
A BHA peel is gentler to the skin than an AHA peel so is therefore better for more sensitive skin as well as oily complexions. Acne in particular is often treated with BHAs.

Who is it not good for and what can the side effects be?
As with all chemical peels, irritation and inflammation of the treatment area can occur and the BHA peel can not be used on the skin around the eyes. The repeated use of BHAs on black and dark skin can also cause hypo pigmentation, or fading of pigmentation, and scarring.

How much will it cost?
The cost of a BHA peel starts from £50. Several sessions are recommended, depending upon the condition of the skin.

Other chemical peels include:

• AHA peel
• Ogabi blue peel
• TCA peel
• Phenol peel
• Green Peel