Chemical Peels in Raleigh, Cary, and Wake Forest
Corrective Peels in Raleigh, North Carolina
Give Your Skin New Life
Uneven tone, stubborn dark spots, rough texture, and fine lines all trace back to the same place, which is the condition of your skin’s outer layers. A chemical peel resurfaces those layers on purpose so healthier skin comes to the surface.
Synergy Face + Body offers chemical peels at four Triangle locations, with formulas ranging from a gentle first peel to stronger depth treatments. Every peel starts with a look at your skin, your history, and how much visible peeling you can realistically plan around.
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel applies a professional-grade acid solution to exfoliate the outer layers of skin, prompting the cell turnover that improves tone, texture, and clarity as newer skin surfaces.
The solution stays on for a controlled amount of time, and your provider adjusts strength by how many layers go on. Peels treat concerns that live in the surface and upper layers of skin, including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dullness, mild laxity, and general skin imperfections. Results build with repeat treatments rather than arriving all at once.
A VISIA skin analysis can map sun damage and pigment below the surface before you choose a peel, which helps set realistic expectations about how many treatments your concern will take.
About Corrective Peels in Raleigh
What
Corrective Peels Treat:
• Fine Lines
• Wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation
• Laxity
• Dullness
• Skin Imperfections
Procedure
Time:
• All skin services include 15 minutes beyond the treatment time to allow for consultation and to answer any questions about your skin, treatment options, and home care regimen.
Recovery
Time:
• Recovery depends on treatment
• Most peels require a recovery period before returning to a normal skincare regimen or applying makeup
Additional
Information:
• If you are currently using a topical prescription on your face such as Retin A, Renova, Tazorac, Benzol Peroxide, or any form of AHAs such as Glycolic Acid you will need to stop and wait at least 72 hours before a facial peel can be performed
Chemical Peel Types: Light, Medium, and Deep
Chemical peels are grouped by depth. Light peels exfoliate the surface layer, medium peels reach deeper into the skin, and deep peels go further still and require medical supervision.
Depth drives everything else, including what a peel can treat, how long you visibly peel afterward, and what it costs.
| Depth | What it treats | Visible peeling | Price | Our peels at this level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Peel | Dullness, congestion, rough texture, pre-event glow | Little to none | $60 to $200 |
|
| Superficial Peel | Fine lines, uneven tone, early discoloration, sensitive skin | Mild to moderate, starting day 2 or 3 and lasting 5 to 10 days | $150 |
|
| Medium-depth Peel | Sun damage, brown spots, fine lines, acne scarring | Significant, up to 10 days | $175 |
|
| Strongest Medium-depth Peel | Pronounced lines and texture for experienced peel patients | Significant, up to 2 weeks | $350 |
|
| Body Peel | Tone and texture on arms, back, and chest | Mild to light flaking, up to 5 days | $200 per area |
|
Body peels are measured on their own scale, since body skin tolerates a different approach than facial skin. Deep phenol peels sit outside the Synergy peel menu.
Which Chemical Peel Is Right for Your Concern?
Peel selection starts with your concern. Acne and congestion respond to salicylic-based formulas, discoloration to lactic and TCA blends, and fine lines to stronger medium-depth peels.
| Your concern | Starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Acne and clogged pores | PCA Peel HQ Free | Salicylic acid clears congestion while kojic acid works on the marks breakouts leave behind |
| Post-acne dark marks | SensiPeel or PCA Peel HQ Free | Gentler acid blends improve pigment with less risk of provoking more of it |
| Melasma | Melasma Peel | A dedicated arbutin and retinol protocol with an at-home component, treated separately from our peel menu |
| Sun damage and brown spots | Ultra Peel | 10% TCA plus Emblica targets discoloration on maturing skin |
| Fine lines and wrinkles | Ultra Peel or MD Peel | TCA at 10% or 20% reaches the depth where texture and line concerns sit |
| Acne scarring | Retinol 6% Peel layered over a liquid peel | TCA and retinol soften the look of shallow scarring, while indented scars usually respond better to microneedling |
| Dullness before an event | Synergy Micropeel or PCA No Peel Peel | Both smooth and brighten without visible peeling to plan around |
| Rough texture on arms, back, or chest | Smoothing Body Peel | Formulated for body skin, which tolerates a different approach than the face |
These are starting points, not prescriptions. Your provider will confirm the right peel and depth for your skin at your consultation.
Schedule Your Appointment
Schedule your appointment for a Corrective Peel in Raleigh, request a VISIA skin analysis, to see how we can help you achieve your goals.
Synergy Corrective Peels + Facial Treatments
Synergy Micropeel
A three-step clinical treatment combining dermaplaning, chemical exfoliation, and a hydrating mask. The Micropeel reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, laxity, and dullness in one visit.
Face – $200
SensiPeel by PCA Skin
A good first peel, and one that can be layered and customized as your skin adjusts. SensiPeel suits sensitive skin and darker skin tones, and it works on surface texture, uneven tone, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Active ingredients include lactic acid as a moisturizing factor, 6% TCA to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring, and a blend of antioxidants. Peeling generally begins 2 to 3 days after treatment.
Face | $150
PCA Peel + PCA Plus Peel – HQ Free
This peel is an amazing option for those who can’t tolerate intense peeling, but would like to work on hyperpigmentation, tone, and rejuvenation.This peel option is ideal for more sensitive skin types, darker skin tones and those allergic or sensitive to HQ (hydroquinone). This treatment helps to rejuvenate and improve the appearance of breakout prone skin while also promoting a more even and bright complexion. Depending on how many layers are applied during the treatment (the provider will gauge sensitivity), mild to moderate peeling will occur 2-3 days post peel and can last for 5-10 days
Key Ingredients: Lactic (moisturizing factor), Salicylic (BHA promotes clear complexion), Kojic (promotes even skin tone), Citric acid (AHA)
PCA HQ Free | $150
Ultra Peel by PCA Skin
Our option for maturing skin looking for overall improvement. Ultra Peel reduces the look of dark spots and discoloration, promotes a clearer and more even complexion, and improves the appearance of wrinkles.
Active ingredients include lactic acid, 10% TCA, a proprietary antioxidant blend, and Emblica to address inflammation and signs of aging. The right candidate is prepared for up to 10 days of significant peeling.
Face | $175
MD Peel by PCA Skin
Our most intensive peel, reserved for seasoned peel patients with resilient skin. MD Peel delivers skin rejuvenation, a more even tone, and improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Active ingredients include lactic acid, 20% TCA, alpha-lipoic acid as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, Emblica, and silymarin to protect against UVA stress. Plan for up to two weeks of visible peeling.
Face | $350
Retinol 6% Peel
This peel is designed to exfoliate and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help reduce acne and improve skin laxity while promoting a bright, even, and clear complexion. This is a great option for those who have mild to severe photo-aging, acne and acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and age spots, and/or anyone wishing to improve their overall complexion. Please note: This is not a standalone peel treatment and must be layered on top of another liquid peel.
Face | $175
Smoothing Body Peel by PCA Skin
Suitable for all skin types looking to even tone and texture on the arms, back, and chest. Benefits include softened, nourished skin with improved texture and brightness.
Active ingredients include lactic acid, salicylic acid, 10% TCA, and kojic acid. Available for the decollete, upper arms, and half back, upper or lower.
Decollete | $200 | 45 mins
Upper Arms (KP) | $200 | 45 mins
Half Back (upper or lower) | $200 | 45 mins
ADD Smoothing Body Peel to a DiamondGlow Body treatment for $150!
Add-Ons
Dermaplaning
This is an advanced form of manual exfoliation that can be used with or without chemicals, as the treatment does not require downtime.
45 minutes – $100 | Also featured as an Add-On – $60
Enzymatic Treatment
This is one of our favorite enhancements for glowy, healthy skin without any additional downtime. This is great for all skin types and provides anti-aging and antioxidant benefits along with overall skin brightening and immediate post-treatment glow. You may experience slight dryness and light flaking, but most will not experience any peeling or irritation. Please note that this is not a standalone treatment and may only be added to additional services such as a dermaplaning, Moxi, or RF Microneedling.
Key ingredients: Papaya, tartaric (AHA), Vitamin E (reduces inflammation), Grape fruit extract (antioxidant that helps with cell damage)
15 minutes – $50
Peptide Mask
The addition of a peptide mask to your treatment provides a cooling and soothing effect to the skin.
0 minutes | $25
PCA No Peel Peel
This add-on peel helps smooth skin and boost brightness without visible signs of peeling.
15 minutes – $60
Chemical Peel Ingredients: TCA, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Retinol
TCA, lactic acid, salicylic acid, kojic acid, citric acid, and retinol are the actives behind Synergy’s peels. Each addresses a different concern, and most of our peels combine several.
- TCA, or trichloroacetic acid: A superficial and medium-depth peeling agent that helps minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring. Synergy uses TCA at three strengths, which are 6% in SensiPeel, 10% in Ultra Peel and Smoothing Body Peel, and 20% in MD Peel.
- Lactic acid: An alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates while acting as a moisturizing factor, which makes it well tolerated on drier and more sensitive skin.
- Salicylic acid: A beta hydroxy acid that works inside the pore rather than only on the surface, promoting a clearer complexion on breakout-prone skin.
- Kojic acid: Targets uneven pigment and promotes a more even skin tone.
- Citric acid: An alpha hydroxy acid used for surface exfoliation and brightness.
- Retinol: A vitamin A derivative that speeds cell turnover. Our Retinol 6% Peel layers over a liquid peel rather than working on its own.
- Antioxidants and botanicals: Emblica, alpha-lipoic acid, silymarin, Vitamin E, papaya, tartaric acid, and grapefruit extract appear across our formulas to address inflammation and environmental stress.
Chemical Peels for Sensitive Skin and Deeper Skin Tones
SensiPeel and PCA Peel HQ Free are formulated for sensitive skin and darker skin tones, where stronger peels carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory pigment change.
Skin that produces more melanin can respond to aggressive exfoliation by producing more pigment, which leaves dark patches where the peel was meant to even things out. The way around it is a gentler acid blend, fewer layers, and a provider who adjusts strength during treatment based on how your skin reacts rather than following a fixed protocol.
Patients who are allergic or sensitive to hydroquinone have an option here too. Our PCA Peel HQ Free formula rejuvenates breakout-prone skin and promotes a brighter, more even complexion without hydroquinone in the blend.
If you have active melasma, a history of keloid scarring, or you have had pigment changes after a previous peel or laser treatment, bring that up at your consultation. Those histories change which peel is appropriate, and in some cases they rule peels out entirely.
Pre-Peel Advice
• Prep skin for 2 weeks before receiving a peel with the use of an at-home Retinol and Glycolic Acid leave on product.
• Discontinue the use of AHAs, BHAs, Retinols or any other skin sensitizing agent for 72 hours prior to peel.
• Ask your doctor for a prescription for the prevention of cold sores if you have a history of herpes simplex.
• Facial waxing
• Laser Facial Treatment
• Laser Facial Hair Removal
• Electrolysis to the face
• Tanning
• Received a facial, peel, or microdermabrasion
• Oral antibiotics within the last month
• Acutane within the last year
Post-Peel Advice
• Exercise or excess heat
• Mineral makeup (avoid non-mineral makeup)
• Physical SPF (avoid ones with chemicals )
• A non-foaming, non-acid containing cleanser
• Tanning Beds
• Direct Sun Exposure
• Exfoliants
• Do not pick or scratch treated area
• Allow skin to fall off on its own–do not peel off peeling skin before it is ready
You may return to use of Retinols, AHAs/BHAs, and other skin specific products after the following time frame:
• For mild peels after 48 hours (approximately 2 days post peel)
• For med peels after 72 hours (approximately 3 days post peel)
• For med/deep peels 5 + days post peel
FAQs
For maximum results 3-6 peels spaced 2-3 weeks apart are generally recommended depending upon which peels are being performed. Ask your aesthetician for more information.
It is important to understand that not all peels are created equal; peel efficiency varies depending on the PH of the peel (acid). The lower the PH of the peel the stronger the results: a 100% acid peel with a high PH is weaker and less effective than a 50% peel with a low PH. Synergy uses low PH peels that are non-buffered to ensure the greatest results.
Due to the medical nature of the treatments indicated on the medical aesthetics section of our website, the price reflected is all inclusive and therefore no gratuities will be accepted. (Spa providers may still receive tips at your discretion.)
More Information
Additional Treatments
to Consider
• Dermal Fillers
• RF Microneedling
• FaceTite
• Laser Resurfacing