Chemical Peel in St Ives
A chemical peel uses a carefully chosen solution to lift away the tired outer layer of your skin and encourage fresh cell turnover underneath. It is one of the simplest ways to bring back brightness, smooth out texture and soften the look of uneven tone, and at Avismo every peel is chosen for your skin rather than picked from a menu.
- From
- £70
- Appointment
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Results
- Brighter skin within days, building over a series
- Lasts
- Several weeks per peel, longer with a course and good home care
- Downtime
- Redness or light peeling for a few days
How a chemical peel works
Your skin naturally sheds its outer layer, but that process slows with age, sun exposure and congestion. Dead cells build up on the surface, and the result is skin that looks flat, feels rough and does not reflect light the way it used to. A peel speeds that renewal up. The solution loosens the bonds between the dull surface cells so they shed more evenly, and the skin responds by producing fresh cells from below.
People most often come to us for a peel because of fine lines, sun damage, marks left behind by old breakouts, or tone that has become patchy. A single peel can leave your skin looking noticeably fresher, and a series of peels spaced a few weeks apart tends to give a more lasting change in texture and tone.
The strength and type of peel are always selected for your skin type and what you would like to achieve. A light peel on healthy skin is a very different treatment to a stronger peel on sensitive or deeper skin tones, which is why the choice is made in clinic by a medical professional rather than booked blind.
The peels we use at Avismo
We offer three professional peels, each priced at £70. The ZO Stimulator Peel comes from ZO Skin Health, the medical-grade skincare range we stock in clinic, which makes it a natural fit if you already use, or are thinking about starting, a ZO home routine.
Neostrata peels are built around alpha hydroxy acids, the family of fruit-derived acids that includes glycolic acid, and are a well-established choice for dullness, uneven texture and early signs of ageing.
BioRepeel is a newer style of peel that combines trichloroacetic acid with other ingredients in a buffered formula. It is designed to work on the deeper layers of the skin while causing relatively little visible peeling at the surface, so it can suit people who want results without obvious flaking.
At your appointment we will look at your skin, talk through your history and recommend the peel we think suits you best. If none of them is the right tool for your concern, we will say so and suggest something that is.
Pairing a peel with other treatments
Peels work well alongside other treatments at the clinic. Dermaplaning before a peel removes the build-up of dead skin and fine facial hair so the solution can work more evenly, and it can be added to another treatment for £30. Dermalux Flex LED afterwards is a calming way to finish and can also be added on for £30.
If you are not sure where to start, a skincare consultation with MC10 facial analysis gives us a detailed picture of your skin before we choose a peel. For concerns such as deeper scarring or loss of firmness, SkinPen or radiofrequency microneedling may be a better route, and we will talk you through the options honestly.
What you do at home matters just as much as what happens in clinic. Our team offers free skincare consultations to put together a ZO Skin Health routine for your skin, and daily broad spectrum sun protection, such as Daily Defence SPF50+ from our own Avismo Skin range, is essential while your skin renews.
Results
See real results at your consultation
We only show before and afters of our own clients, with their written consent, so there are none online for this treatment yet. Ask at your free consultation and we will show you examples in person.
On the day
What happens at your appointment
- 01 Arrive with clean skin if you can, and let us know about any changes to your health or medication since booking.
- 02 We check your medical history, look closely at your skin and agree which peel is right for you.
- 03 Your skin is cleansed and prepared so the peel can work evenly.
- 04 The peel is applied and timed carefully. You will usually feel mild stinging or tingling, which settles once it is neutralised or removed.
- 05 We finish with soothing products and sun protection, and go through your aftercare before you leave.
Safety
What you need to know before Chemical Peel
Every treatment carries risk. Nothing here replaces the consultation, where all of this is discussed with you before you consent to anything.
Not suitable if
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active cold sores, broken skin or infection in the treatment area
- Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) within the last six months
- Sunburn, sunbeds or significant sun exposure in the previous two weeks
- Recent use of retinoids or exfoliating acids, which usually need to be paused for several days beforehand
- Known allergy or sensitivity to any peel ingredient, including aspirin where salicylic acid is used
Common and expected
- Mild stinging or tingling during application
- Redness and warmth for a few hours afterwards
- Dryness, tightness or light peeling for a few days
Serious risks
Stronger reactions such as prolonged redness, blistering or changes in pigmentation are uncommon. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where the skin darkens after irritation, is the main risk, particularly in deeper skin tones and when skin is exposed to the sun after treatment. The risk is reduced by choosing the right peel and strength for your skin and by using a high-factor sunscreen every day afterwards. If anything concerns you after your peel, contact the clinic straight away.
Aftercare
- Wear a broad spectrum SPF 50 every day, even when it is cloudy
- Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids and scrubs for at least five days, or as advised
- Let any flaking skin come away on its own, without picking or pulling
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, swimming and hard exercise for 48 hours
- Keep your skin moisturised with gentle, fragrance-free products
- Avoid sunbeds and deliberate sun exposure while your skin recovers
Chemical Peel
| ZO Stimulator Peel | £70 |
| Neostrata Peel | £70 |
| BioRepeel | £70 |
Consultations are free. Booking and payment are handled through our secure online booking system. Full price list.
Questions
Does a chemical peel hurt?
Most people describe a mild stinging or tingling while the peel is on the skin. It is usually short-lived and settles once the peel is removed or neutralised. We check how you are feeling throughout.
Will I visibly peel?
It depends on the peel and your skin. Many people notice only light flaking or dryness for a few days, and some peels, such as BioRepeel, are designed to cause relatively little visible peeling. We will tell you what to expect for the peel you have.
How many peels will I need?
You may see brighter skin after one peel, but results for texture and tone usually build over a series of treatments. We will suggest a plan at your appointment based on your skin and your goals.
Which peel is right for me?
That is decided in clinic after we have looked at your skin and talked through your history. The ZO Stimulator Peel, Neostrata and BioRepeel all cost £70, so the choice is about what suits your skin rather than price. Your consultation is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. It is where we check your medical history, talk through what you would like to change, and agree a plan together.
Can I have a peel with dermaplaning or LED?
Yes, peels combine well with both. Dermaplaning or Dermalux Flex LED can be added to another treatment for £30 each.
How should I prepare for my peel?
Pause retinoids and exfoliating acids for several days beforehand, avoid sunbeds, fake tan and significant sun exposure for two weeks, and let us know if you are prone to cold sores.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please give at least 48 hours notice if you need to move or cancel your appointment, so the time can be offered to someone else. Deposits and late-cancellation terms are explained when you book through our online booking system.
I live in Huntingdon, St Neots or Cambridge. Is the clinic easy to reach?
Yes. Many of our clients travel in from Huntingdon, St Neots, Cambridge and the surrounding villages. The clinic is at 28 Edison Road, St Ives, PE27 3LF, about 15 minutes' drive from Huntingdon and around 30 minutes from St Neots and Cambridge. If you are unsure of the way, call us on 07958 129660 and we will talk you through it.
Your practitioners
Looked after by the Avismo team
Every practitioner here is a registered healthcare professional, trained in this treatment and working to the same clinical standards, so you are in safe hands whoever you see.
Karen Moseley
Founder, Registered Nurse and Independent Prescriber
Founded Avismo in 2014 after many years in the NHS. Karen carries out every prescription consultation in person.
Lorna
Operating Department Practitioner
An HCPC registered Operating Department Practitioner with more than 19 years in healthcare, who joined the team in May 2025.
Andrea
Registered Nurse and Medical Acupuncturist
A registered nurse with more than 40 years of experience, offering medical acupuncture and our skin, laser and body treatments.
Avismo Skin
From the Avismo Skin range
Home skincare from the clinic's own range. We can tell you at a free skincare consultation which, if any, suit your skin.
Client reviews
Rated 5.0 on Google by 93 clients
Karen has done facial peels and also micro needling for me for over a year and I have been delighted with the results every time. She is a highly qualified nurse prescriber and, working in the NHS myself, I feel huge confidence in her skills and knowledge, and feel very safe in her hands.
Excellent friendly service with Lorna, the clinic is spotlessly clean and I’m always happy with the results. Thank you!!
I’ve tried laser hair removal at other places before, but this has by far been the best and most effective experience! I’ve noticed a real difference from my very first session. The space is incredibly clean and calming, and Andrea provides such a professional and thorough service, always making me feel comfortable and at ease. Highly recommend!
I’ve recently had a skin booster with Karen and have most definitely seen a difference. Karen has treatments to suit everyone so highly recommend her as there is absolutely no pressure. You always leave feeling good.
The team here are so fantastic. They’re so good at identifying the specific treatment plan you need, and Lorna always does the best job, I wouldn’t go anywhere else!
Had HIFU with Andrea. Felt very cared for and informed, the full face and neck treatment was administered efficiently in a relaxed environment. I would recommend and will be returning to Andrea in the future.
Karen is great! Really warm, professional and I’m over the moon with the results. I will definitely be returning for future treatments.
I had a really lovely experience at this clinic. The clinic itself is spotless, welcoming and professional, and the staff are medically trained, which gives you real confidence in the care and advice you receive. What really stood out to me was the holistic approach. Rather than focusing on one specific area or simply trying to make you look younger, the advice was centred on enhancing my natural features in a way that feels right for my age. The approach is thoughtful, personalised and genuinely rooted in medical knowledge. I felt listened to, reassured and in very safe hands. I cannot recommend this clinic enough to anyone looking for a professional, considered and natural approach to aesthetics.
Had a lovely HIFU treatment with Andrea. Very friendly and professional. Was my first cosmetic treatment and couldn't have asked for a better one. Wonderful experience.
Karen is brilliant, she gave me some great advice suggesting a different area to what I thought I needed and the results were perfect! She definitely knows what she is doing and gives you choices to enhance your face. Would highly recommend her to anyone.
I felt so understood by Andrea and bonus that she has professional background of my journey. The atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable along with privacy and reassurance. I am looking forward to my next session. If anyone is considering acupuncture please come and have a chat with this team.
Karen & Lorna are truly professional, it was my first time and I can say I’m very pleased with the result! Would highly recommend!
I visited Karen for my first ever treatment. I was immediately impressed by her professionalism, knowledge, and warm welcome. I felt instantly reassured ahead of the treatment, and was extremely pleased with the results. It was a fabulous experience, in which I felt safe due to her professional background. I have already rebooked!
I have been having treatments with Karen for 8 years, she is fantastic at what she does, a complete professional. When making decisions about ‘tweakments’ you want to be sure you’re in safe hands and you absolutely would be. I have recently started my laser hair removal journey with Lorna and I cannot recommend enough, I have seen a noticeable difference from my first session. Lorna makes you feel completely comfortable and explains the whole process. Thank you dream team!
Karen listens to concerns and the objective desired, discusses the treatment options available and their outcome, she did not just advise the most expensive! Karen made me feel at ease, I will definitely be revisiting!
Always a great experience having a treatment. Karen listens and advises, puts you at ease and is so knowledgeable. She’s the best around if you’re hoping for natural looking enhancements. Extremely happy with the results, I wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Karen runs a really lovely clinic for aesthetics. I’d been wanting to give micro-needling a go for about a year and wish I hadn’t waited so long. Karen is super-professional and the procedure was not painful at all. Karen will put you at ease immediately.
I’ve been seeing Lorna for years now, and I honestly wouldn’t trust anyone else. As always, she did an amazing job with my HIFU and [anti-wrinkle] treatments. What I really appreciate is how clear and honest she is from the start—she explains exactly what to expect (and makes it clear it’s not a facelift), which I find so reassuring. The results still speak for themselves though—I’m absolutely delighted. Lorna always takes the time to understand what’s right for me and never overdoes anything, which is why I keep going back. I trust her completely, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for natural, professional results.
Really wonderful treatment with Andrea. She explained everything so well and was very thorough and professional. The place is amazing- so lovely and clean. I will definitely be back!
I can't speak highly enough of Karen. Her care, skill, medical knowledge, and eye for the aesthetic is incredible. If you're thinking of exploring injectables, go straight to this lady.
This was the first time i had ever had any treatment. The whole experience was amazing. Lorna was very professional and explained everything to me. And made me feel comfortable. I am very pleased with the results. Very pleased that those lines have gone 😊 Thank you
Karen was warm, professional, and very knowledgeable. She explained everything clearly, which made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the treatment. I had microneedling and am so far pleased with the results. I was looking for a more natural way to rejuvenate my skin, and this feels like exactly the right treatment for me. Thank you, Karen!
I had my first appointment with Lorna for [anti-wrinkle treatment], I was nervous but I was soon put at ease. The treatment was done slowly and carefully, I'm 3 days post treatment, I have no bruising and looking forward to seeing the finished result. The clinic is lovely and clean and spacious, I cant wait for my next treatment in July.
Karen is extremely knowledgeable and friendly, she has given me a variety of aesthetic treatments over the years and I have always been very pleased with the results. She has also advised me about skin care regimes to help optimise results.
I went through crytherapy treatment for skin tags on my face and chest area twice now with Karen. Both times the marks disappeared without a trace. The treatment is not painful at all however it could be a little unpleasant but Karen made it easier and more bearable with her professional approach and lovely personality. I will definitely recommend this place to everyone who wants professional support on affordable price.
I had the most fantastic treatment with Karen. She takes her time in explaining the treatment in detail and she makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Super professional and would highly recommend Avismo.
Karen is brilliant at what she does, fills you with confidence both during and after your treatment and always has time for your queries. It's also very comforting to know that your practitioner is a trained nurse with many years of experience behind her.
Karen takes the time to listen and understand what I want from my treatment. Her clinical experience and the compassion she has for the care of her clients fulfils the 100% trust and reassurance I look for.
I would highly recommend Karen at Avismo Aesthetics. She is very friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of skincare and treatments. Already booked in for my next appointment!
Not sure where to start?
Your consultation is free and there is no obligation to book anything afterwards. Tell us what you would like to change and we will talk you through the options honestly, including when the answer is to wait.