Gentle superficial peel · texture and pigment maintenance
Chemical Peel in Gangnam: gentle Korean superficial peel protocol with LALA Peel + Jessner's Peel for facial texture, pigmentation, and acne; Biopeel for body. Board-certified dermatologist supervision.
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Dr. SangYoul Yun
AAD International Fellow
IFAAD
LALA Peel, Jessner's Peel, and Biopeel are gentle superficial chemical peel protocols for acne, pigmentation, and skin texture, performed at Delight Dermatology in Gangnam under board-certified dermatologist supervision. LALA and Jessner's cover the face; Biopeel covers body areas. Minimal downtime, full Fitzpatrick III-V safety. NOTE: TCA medium-depth, PRX-T33, and Cosmelan are NOT offered here. Those are alternative-clinic protocols outside our gentle-tier scope.
Best for
Suited for
Consultation 30 min
LALA Peel 30-40 min
Jessner's Peel 25-35 min
Biopeel (body) 30-45 min depending on area
4-6 sessions at 2-4 week intervals for cumulative texture, brightening, and acne-PIH improvement
Minimal: mild flaking 1-3 days (face) / 2-5 days (body)
Sun avoidance 2-4 weeks
Makeup acceptable from Day 1
Cumulative improvement over 3-month course
Ahn 2006 Korean salicylic-acid 30% data documented measurable melasma and PIH improvement at 12 weeks in Korean patients
Day 0
Pink flush 30-60 min, mild stinging during application. LALA: mild erythema, no frost. Jessner's: mild pseudofrost. Biopeel: mild flush. No social downtime.
Day 1-3
Minimal flaking starts. Makeup OK from Day 1. Mild erythema resolves 24-48h.
Day 3-7
Re-epithelialization complete. Biopeel body flaking ends Day 5-7. Continue strict daily SPF 50+.
Week 2-4
PIH risk window peaks for FST III-V. Strict SPF 50+ reduces severity. Report any new dark spot. Schedule next session at 2-4 week interval.
Month 1-3
After 4-6 sessions: gradual texture refinement, modest brightening, acne-PIH improvement.
Long-term
Improvements durable with daily SPF 50+ and standard skincare. Framed as 'durable with maintenance,' not 'permanent.'
Day 0
Pink flush 30-60 min, mild stinging during application. LALA: mild erythema, no frost. Jessner's: mild pseudofrost. Biopeel: mild flush. No social downtime.
Day 1-3
Minimal flaking starts. Makeup OK from Day 1. Mild erythema resolves 24-48h.
Day 3-7
Re-epithelialization complete. Biopeel body flaking ends Day 5-7. Continue strict daily SPF 50+.
Week 2-4
PIH risk window peaks for FST III-V. Strict SPF 50+ reduces severity. Report any new dark spot. Schedule next session at 2-4 week interval.
Month 1-3
After 4-6 sessions: gradual texture refinement, modest brightening, acne-PIH improvement.
Long-term
Improvements durable with daily SPF 50+ and standard skincare. Framed as 'durable with maintenance,' not 'permanent.'
Key specs
Key specs
Key specs
1
Consultation by Dr. SangYoul Yun. Wood's lamp + standard lighting facial mapping to differentiate melasma from PIH, lentigines, and ochronosis. Realistic counseling on superficial-peel limits.
2
Priming 2-4 weeks (if indicated): tretinoin 0.025-0.05% nightly + hydroquinone 4% for PIH-prone patients + daily SPF 50+. Reduces PIH risk in FST III-V.
3
HSV screening: defer peeling until active herpetic lesions are resolved.
4
Pre-peel review: current or recent isotretinoin, photosensitizers, anticoagulation, autoimmune flare, and prior peel history documented. The 2017 ASDS consensus found insufficient evidence for a mandatory delay before superficial peels; it did not remove the need for individual assessment.
5
Cleansing + degreasing: gentle cleanser then acetone for uniform stratum-corneum lipid removal.
6
LALA Peel: multi-step LHA (lipohydroxy acid) system + soothing mask. 30-45 min total. Mild erythema 1-2h, no frost.
7
Jessner's (face): salicylic + lactic + resorcinol in ethanol, 1-3 layers. Self-neutralizing. 25-35 min. Mild flaking 2-3 days.
8
Biopeel (body): back / chest / upper arms / abdomen / décolletage. Brush application with neutralization. 30-45 min. Mild flaking 2-5 days.
9
Post-peel cooling + bland emollient + SPF 50+ before leaving. Written aftercare in your language.
10
Follow-up at 2-4 week intervals. Cumulative-dose discipline: pause and reassess every 3-5 sessions.
1
Consultation by Dr. SangYoul Yun. Wood's lamp + standard lighting facial mapping to differentiate melasma from PIH, lentigines, and ochronosis. Realistic counseling on superficial-peel limits.
2
Priming 2-4 weeks (if indicated): tretinoin 0.025-0.05% nightly + hydroquinone 4% for PIH-prone patients + daily SPF 50+. Reduces PIH risk in FST III-V.
3
HSV screening: defer peeling until active herpetic lesions are resolved.
4
Pre-peel review: current or recent isotretinoin, photosensitizers, anticoagulation, autoimmune flare, and prior peel history documented. The 2017 ASDS consensus found insufficient evidence for a mandatory delay before superficial peels; it did not remove the need for individual assessment.
5
Cleansing + degreasing: gentle cleanser then acetone for uniform stratum-corneum lipid removal.
6
LALA Peel: multi-step LHA (lipohydroxy acid) system + soothing mask. 30-45 min total. Mild erythema 1-2h, no frost.
7
Jessner's (face): salicylic + lactic + resorcinol in ethanol, 1-3 layers. Self-neutralizing. 25-35 min. Mild flaking 2-3 days.
8
Biopeel (body): back / chest / upper arms / abdomen / décolletage. Brush application with neutralization. 30-45 min. Mild flaking 2-5 days.
9
Post-peel cooling + bland emollient + SPF 50+ before leaving. Written aftercare in your language.
10
Follow-up at 2-4 week intervals. Cumulative-dose discipline: pause and reassess every 3-5 sessions.
Treatment process reference images
Treatment explained
A chemical peel involves applying a peel solution to the skin.
“Injectables and energy devices are performed by physicians, never delegated to non-physician staff. The clinic is led by a board-certified dermatologist.”
Day 0 (first 24h)
Mineral SPF 50+ every 2-3h outdoors. Bland emollient (Cetaphil, La Roche-Posay Toleriane) twice daily. Avoid hot showers, sauna, alcohol for 24-48h. No makeup for 4-6h.
Day 1-3
Strict SPF 50+ + physical sun avoidance. Bland emollient. Do NOT pick or scrub flaking. Avoid retinoids, acid exfoliants, benzoyl peroxide 3-5 days.
Day 3-7
Mild flaking resolves naturally. Do NOT pick. Continue emollient + SPF. Resume gentle skincare at end of window.
Week 2-12
PIH risk window peaks 2-4 weeks. Continue strict SPF 50+. Resume normal skincare. Next session at 2-4 weeks: cumulative-dose discipline matters.
Long-term
Daily SPF 50+. Maintenance courses every 6-12 months as indicated. Established melasma, deep scars, or moderate-severe photoaging routed to alternative modalities.
Day 0 (first 24h)
Mineral SPF 50+ every 2-3h outdoors. Bland emollient (Cetaphil, La Roche-Posay Toleriane) twice daily. Avoid hot showers, sauna, alcohol for 24-48h. No makeup for 4-6h.
Day 1-3
Strict SPF 50+ + physical sun avoidance. Bland emollient. Do NOT pick or scrub flaking. Avoid retinoids, acid exfoliants, benzoyl peroxide 3-5 days.
Day 3-7
Mild flaking resolves naturally. Do NOT pick. Continue emollient + SPF. Resume gentle skincare at end of window.
Week 2-12
PIH risk window peaks 2-4 weeks. Continue strict SPF 50+. Resume normal skincare. Next session at 2-4 weeks: cumulative-dose discipline matters.
Long-term
Daily SPF 50+. Maintenance courses every 6-12 months as indicated. Established melasma, deep scars, or moderate-severe photoaging routed to alternative modalities.
Three options at our clinic: LALA Peel (LHA, a lipophilic salicylic-acid derivative, plus a soothing mask), Jessner's Peel (salicylic + lactic + resorcinol), and Biopeel (body-specific). Active acne and PIH → Jessner's. Texture refinement and mild brightening → LALA. Body skin (back acne, follicular keratosis) → Biopeel. Established melasma, ice-pick scars, or deep photoaging are routed to topical pharmacotherapy, fractional resurfacing, or vascular laser hubs.
No. We do not offer TCA medium-depth, PRX-T33, or Cosmelan at this clinic. Our scope is gentle superficial Korean peel only: LALA Peel, Jessner's Peel, Biopeel. Patients seeking those protocols are routed to alternative clinics. Established melasma is typically better served by topical pharmacotherapy + strict sun protection.
No, superficial peels do not resolve atrophic acne scars. Ice-pick scars are the specific indication for TCA CROSS (we do not offer). Boxcar and rolling scars require subcision + fractional CO2, fractional erbium glass, or RF microneedling. We route to those hubs where scar revision is the actual indication.
Single-session is single-trip viable. Full 4-6 session course at 2-4 week intervals is NOT. Start the course on this trip and continue at a competent home dermatologist, or plan 2-3 trips spaced 4-12 weeks apart.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in FST III-VI: PIH odds ratio is documented ~5x higher in FST VI even with superficial peels, peaking 2-4 weeks and persisting up to 12 weeks. Conservative concentration, optional priming, and strict daily SPF 50+ reduce risk. We do not offer the higher-risk medium-depth protocols.
Superficial-only protocols with conservative concentrations. Optional pre-peel priming (hydroquinone or retinoid 2-4 weeks) + strict daily SPF 50+. We prefer LHA-based LALA over glycolic in darker skin, because C8-LHA penetrates more slowly and less deeply than salicylic acid and exfoliates closer to physiologic desquamation. Jessner's at the lower-concentration end. We do not offer TCA / PRX / Cosmelan in FST V-VI.
Different mechanism. Peels produce uniform chemical injury; lasers target specific chromophores (melanin, oxyhemoglobin, water) with controlled spot sizes. For active acne and PIH, superficial peels are often first-line. For deep textural scars or photoaging, fractional laser or RF microneedling outperforms peels. For melasma, neither is curative: chronic topical therapy + sun protection is the foundation.
Texture and acne-PIH improvements are typically durable with daily SPF 50+ and standard skincare. New UV exposure, hormonal triggers, and acne flares can produce new concerns, so maintenance every 6-12 months is common. We frame results as 'durable with maintenance,' not 'permanent.'
Quoted at consultation. Single-session and 4-6 session course options. We quote in writing per Korean cosmetic-medicine convention.
Sometimes: superficial peels can combine with gentle laser toning (low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG, Genesis) in the same session or 1-2 weeks apart in FST III-V. Planned at consult, not stacked by request.
No published safety data for elective peeling during pregnancy or lactation: all elective peels are deferred. Salicylic acid in Jessner's is a systemic-absorption concern. Postpartum melasma and acne PIH are common, so we can start topical therapy (azelaic, vitamin C, niacinamide) and add peels after breastfeeding ends.
Notice
Tell the dermatologist at your consultation if any of the following apply.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | Consultation 30 min · LALA Peel 30-40 min · Jessner's Peel 25-35 min · Biopeel (body) 30-45 min depending on area |
| Sessions | 4-6 sessions at 2-4 week intervals for cumulative texture, brightening, and acne-PIH improvement |
| Downtime | Minimal: mild flaking 1-3 days (face) / 2-5 days (body) · Sun avoidance 2-4 weeks · Makeup acceptable from Day 1 |
| Peak result | Cumulative improvement over 3-month course · Ahn 2006 Korean salicylic-acid 30% data documented measurable melasma and PIH improvement at 12 weeks in Korean patients |
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Notice: Individual results may vary depending on skin condition, treatment history, and recovery factors. All treatment plans are determined through individual consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. The information on this page is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice or guarantee specific outcomes.
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