About 30 minutes, with light flaking for a few days
An Acne Peel visit runs about 30 minutes: cleanse, apply the salicylic acid solution, let it work for a timed interval, then neutralize and finish with post-care products. You may feel a light tingle or warmth while it processes. There's no numbing and no recovery room afterward.
Superficial salicylic acid (BHA) chemical peel
A superficial chemical peel using salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid. Cosmetic classification. Performed by a licensed medical aesthetician at a strength matched to your skin at consultation.
Face, with neck available as an add-on
The Acne Peel is performed on the face, where most breakouts, blackheads, and congestion show up. Neck is available as an add-on if your congestion runs past the jawline. Back and chest acne are handled through other treatments.
Breakouts, blackheads, oiliness, and clogged pores
The Acne Peel targets active breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores, and excess oil on acne-prone skin. It also softens the dull, rough texture and the flat brown marks that congestion leaves behind. Best results come from a series spaced a few weeks apart. Deep, painful cystic acne usually needs medical acne care rather than a peel alone.
A salicylic acid peel for acne-prone, congested skin
What is the Acne Peel?
The Acne Peel is a salicylic acid chemical peel built for skin that breaks out. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, and its useful trait is that it dissolves in oil: it slips past the surface and down into the pore, where it loosens the plug of dead cells and sebum that becomes a blackhead or a blemish.
This is a targeted peel, not a resurfacing one. When the problem is breakouts, blackheads, an oily T-zone, or that gritty, congested feel across the forehead and chin, this is the peel we reach for. At $215 it sits in the middle of our chemical peel lineup.
What to expect after an Acne Peel
Right after, skin looks slightly flushed and feels tight, a bit like mild windburn. Over the next few days you may notice light flaking as the treated surface sheds. With a salicylic peel this is usually subtle rather than the sheet-peeling people picture from a deep peel, and most of it passes within about three to five days.
The rules for that week are short and they matter. Do not pick or pull at flaking skin. Let it come off on its own, because picking is how a peel turns into a scar or a dark spot. Skip retinoids, scrubs, and other active acids for five to seven days. And wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day, without exceptions: fresh skin burns and stains easily, and sun is the fastest way to undo the work.
A peel is not right for everyone at every moment. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we hold off on certain peeling acids for now. If you have taken isotretinoin (Accutane), most providers wait about six months after the last dose before peeling, since the skin heals differently on it. And we reschedule around an active cold sore, open or infected lesions, or broken skin in the treatment area.
One peel helps. A series is where acne-prone skin actually turns a corner, so we usually plan several peels a few weeks apart alongside a home routine. Results vary from person to person, and we won't name a session count before we have seen your skin.
Honest limit: a peel does real work on oil and congestion, but it is not a cure for everything. Deep, painful cystic acne that keeps returning is a medical problem, better served by our acne treatments or a provider-led plan than by peeling alone. VIP members save 10% on the Acne Peel and everything else. Questions first? Call (806) 701-5840 or book your Acne Peel online.
Benefits of the Acne Peel
ACNE CLEARING
Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and penetrates clogged pores—exactly what active acne needs.
BREAKOUT PREVENTION
Reduces sebum production and kills acne bacteria to prevent new breakouts from forming.
POST-ACNE MARKS
Fades the dark spots that linger after acne lesions heal.
SERIES PROTOCOL
Most effective as a series of 4 to 6 peels during active acne treatment phase.
What happens during your 30-minute visit
Inside an Acne Peel appointment
An Acne Peel appointment is quick. Your aesthetician cleanses the skin, brushes on the salicylic acid solution, and leaves it to work for a timed interval while watching how your skin responds. Most people feel a light tingle or warmth. There is no numbing and nothing sedating involved.
The solution is neutralized and wiped away, and we finish with calming, protective post-care products before you leave. Start to finish, plan on about 30 minutes.
Strength matters, so we match the concentration to your skin instead of treating every face the same. If you have a deeper skin tone, we tend to start conservative and build over a few sessions, because pushing a peel too hard raises the risk of temporary dark marks, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A patch test or a lighter first pass is often the smart move.
Acne Peel vs. AHA, Herbal Green, and ZO 3-Step
How the Acne Peel compares to our other peels
We run four peels, and they are not interchangeable. The AHA Peel at $90 is the lightest, a glycolic brightening peel with essentially no downtime and a good monthly refresh. The Acne Peel at $215 is the one built around salicylic acid, so it is the pick when oil and clogged pores are the story rather than dullness.
The Herbal Green Peel is a botanical option that suits sensitive skin and melasma, and the ZO 3-Step Peel at $375 is our strongest, with real peeling over five to seven days for sun damage and deeper texture.
Not sure where you fall? That is what a consultation is for, and you can always start light and step up. See the full chemical peels menu to compare.
FAQ
Your questions, answered
We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help make your experience simple, transparent, and stress-free.
Our "TCA Peel" is a salicylic acid peel specifically formulated for acne-prone and oily skin. (Note: the name is historical from our menu—the active ingredient is salicylic acid rather than trichloroacetic acid). Treats active breakouts, post-inflammatory marks, oily skin, and pore congestion.
What is the TCA Peel?
Active acne (especially comedonal and inflammatory types), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from healed acne, oily skin, large/clogged pores, mild texture concerns from acne. Particularly effective for patients still dealing with active breakouts.
What does this peel treat?
Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, meaning it penetrates into oil-filled pores—the exact target for acne. Other acids (glycolic, lactic) are water-soluble and work better on surface concerns. This is why we use salicylic specifically for acne patients.
How is this peel different from other peels?
Mild tingling and warmth during application that fades within 5–10 minutes. Less intense than the ZO 3-Step. Most patients tolerate it easily.
Does the TCA Peel hurt?
Minimal—mild redness for a few hours, possible slight flaking over 3–5 days. Often you can return to work the same day. Acne patients sometimes experience a temporary purge (existing trapped acne surfacing) over 7–14 days.
What's the downtime?
$215 per peel. Series of 4–6 peels for active acne treatment. Members receive discounted pricing.
How much does the TCA Peel cost in Lubbock?
Every 4 weeks during active acne treatment. Maintenance every 6–8 weeks once acne is controlled. Going more frequently doesn't significantly improve results.
How often should I get this peel?
Cure—no. Significant improvement when combined with appropriate home care—yes. Acne is a chronic condition managed through consistent treatment. Most patients see meaningful clearing after 4–6 peels combined with medical-grade home regimen.
Will this peel cure my acne?
Yes—often paired with acne facials, microneedling for scarring (in separate sessions), and topical regimens. We design treatment plans combining multiple approaches for acne patients.
Can this peel be combined with other treatments?
Book an acne-focused consultation. We'll evaluate your skin, determine the right approach (this peel, ZO, or alternatives), and design a treatment plan. Call (806) 701-5840 or book online.
How do I book?
SEND A MESSAGE
Questions about a treatment?
Ask about pricing, candidacy, or which treatment fits your goals — we reply within one business day. For faster answers, call or text (806) 701-5840.
VISIT & HOURS
Visit your Lubbock med spa.
8713 Milwaukee Ave #200 in South Lubbock — free parking out front. Book a 30-minute consultation. No pressure, no upselling.
CONTACT
Phone Number
HOURS
Monday
Tues - Fri
Saturday
Sunday
10 AM - 3 PM
9 AM – 6 PM
10 AM - 3 PM
Closed
FOLLOW US