The 6 AlumierMD Peels at IVONNE: How Each Formulation Works and What It Targets

Not All Peels Are the Same: Why the Formulation Matters

A chemical peel is not a single treatment. It is a category of treatments that share a common mechanism (acid-driven exfoliation) but differ dramatically in their active ingredients, depth of penetration, and the specific skin concerns they address.

IVONNE uses the AlumierMD professional peel system exclusively. AlumierMD is a medical-grade skincare line, meaning the formulations contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than consumer-grade products and are designed for clinical application by trained professionals.

There are six distinct AlumierMD peels available at IVONNE. Each uses a different combination of acids at specific concentrations to target specific conditions. Choosing the right peel is a clinical decision based on your skin's current condition, not a preference.

How Chemical Peels Work at the Skin Level

All chemical peels work by lowering the pH at the skin's surface. This pH change disrupts the bonds (called desmosomes) between dead skin cells in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. When those bonds break, the dead cells release and shed, revealing the newer skin underneath.

This controlled exfoliation triggers two important responses:

1. Accelerated cell turnover: The body replaces the shed cells faster than it would naturally, bringing fresher cells to the surface sooner.
2. Collagen stimulation: Depending on the peel's depth, the controlled injury signals fibroblasts in the dermis to produce new collagen and elastin. This is the mechanism behind improvements in fine lines, firmness, and texture that go beyond simple exfoliation.

The depth a peel reaches, and therefore its intensity and recovery profile, depends on the type of acid, its concentration, and the pH of the solution.

The Six AlumierMD Peels

1. Radiant 30 Peel

Active ingredient: 30% lactic acid

Mechanism: Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) with a relatively large molecular size. It penetrates more slowly and evenly than smaller AHAs like glycolic acid, making it gentler while still effective. Lactic acid is also a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin during the exfoliation process.

Best for: First-time peel clients, sensitive skin, mild sun damage, early signs of aging, dehydrated skin that needs both exfoliation and hydration. This is often the starting point for clients new to professional peels.

What to expect: Minimal downtime. Mild flaking for 1-3 days. Skin appears brighter and smoother within a week.

2. AHA Duo Peel

Active ingredients: Combination of alpha-hydroxy acids

Mechanism: The dual-acid formulation works at multiple levels of the stratum corneum simultaneously. By combining acids with different molecular sizes, the AHA Duo achieves broader exfoliation than a single-acid peel.

Best for: Improving overall skin texture and tone, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, diminishing discolouration, and refining large pores. A versatile, well-rounded peel for clients who want general skin rejuvenation.

Available treatment areas: Full face and neck (75 minutes). Also available as a hand peel for age spots and sun damage on the hands.

3. BHA 20 Peel

Active ingredient: 20% salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acid)

Mechanism: Unlike AHAs, which are water-soluble and work at the skin surface, salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This means it can penetrate into the pore lining, dissolving the sebum and dead cells that clog pores from within. This makes BHA peels uniquely effective for acne-related concerns.

Best for: Oily and acne-prone skin, congested pores, excess sebum production, breakouts, and post-acne redness. This is the peel formulated specifically for active acne management.

Available treatment areas: Full face and neck (75 minutes). Also available as a back peel (90 minutes) for body acne.

4. Enzyme Retexturing Treatment

Active ingredients: Fruit enzymes (proteolytic enzymes)

Mechanism: Unlike acid peels that work through pH-dependent chemical dissolution, enzyme peels work through a different pathway: they digest the keratin protein in dead skin cells. This makes enzyme peels effective at exfoliation without the pH drop that can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Best for: Sensitive or rosacea-prone skin that cannot tolerate acid peels, clients who want gentle exfoliation without the tingling or stinging sensation of acids, and as a preparatory treatment before progressing to acid peels. Also effective for fine lines, mild hyperpigmentation, and dull complexion.

5. Glow Peel

Active ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol

Mechanism: This is a multi-acid peel that combines three ingredients working through different pathways. Lactic acid exfoliates the surface (AHA mechanism). Salicylic acid penetrates pores (BHA mechanism). Resorcinol is an anti-pigmentation agent that inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production.

Best for: Hyperpigmentation, melasma (with appropriate precautions), age spots, uneven skin tone, and clients who want both textural improvement and pigment correction in a single treatment. The combination of exfoliation and tyrosinase inhibition makes this one of the more aggressive corrective peels in the AlumierMD line.

6. Power Glow Peel

Active ingredients: Advanced multi-acid resurfacing formulation

Mechanism: The most intensive peel in the AlumierMD lineup. Aggressively targets the stratum corneum to achieve deeper exfoliation than the standard Glow Peel. Designed for clients whose skin has been conditioned through previous peel treatments and can tolerate a more aggressive approach.

Best for: Significant texture irregularities, deeper pigmentation, stubborn fine lines, enlarged pores, and clients who have already been through lighter peels and are ready for intensified treatment. This is not a first-time peel.

The Treatment Protocol

Every AlumierMD peel at IVONNE follows a structured 75-minute protocol:

1. Precare review: Your provider confirms that you have followed precare instructions (avoiding retinol, excessive sun exposure, and certain medications in the days prior).
2. Cleanse and prep: The skin is thoroughly cleansed and degreased to ensure even acid penetration. Uneven cleansing leads to uneven peel results.
3. Peel application: The selected acid solution is applied in controlled layers. Your provider monitors your skin's response in real time, watching for the appropriate level of erythema (redness) that indicates effective depth without over-treatment.
4. Neutralization: The peel is neutralized or removed at the precise time based on your skin's response.
5. Mask and serum infusion: Post-peel serums are applied to soothe, hydrate, and begin the repair process.
6. Sun protection: SPF application and aftercare instructions specific to your peel type.
7. Post-procedure kit: You leave with an AlumierMD post-procedure kit containing everything you need for the recovery period.

Peel Selection: How Your Provider Decides

Your provider selects the peel based on a clinical assessment, not a menu. The assessment considers:

• Primary concern: Acne leads toward BHA 20. Pigmentation leads toward Glow Peel. Sensitivity leads toward Enzyme Retexturing. General rejuvenation leads toward Radiant 30 or AHA Duo.
• Skin history: Previous peels, retinol use, laser treatments, and current product regimen all affect how your skin will respond.
• Skin tolerance: First-time peel clients typically start with Radiant 30 or Enzyme Retexturing, then progress to more intensive formulations as their skin adapts.
• Current skin condition: Active inflammation, compromised barrier, or recent sun exposure may require postponing the peel or selecting a gentler option.

The recommended frequency for most clients is every 4 to 6 weeks, allowing complete recovery between treatments. Your provider may adjust this schedule based on your skin's response and your treatment goals.

Peels Within a Broader Treatment Plan

At IVONNE, chemical peels are often one component of a multi-treatment strategy. Common combinations include:

• Hydrafacial between peels: The Hydrafacial maintains hydration and clarity between peel sessions, using vortex technology to cleanse and infuse without the exfoliation intensity of a peel.
• Microneedling after a peel series: Once peels have addressed surface-level concerns, microneedling can target deeper collagen remodeling and scar revision.
• AlumierMD home care products: Your provider may prescribe specific AlumierMD products (retinol, vitamin C, SPF) to maintain and extend peel results between appointments. These medical-grade products work at concentrations not available over the counter.

The sequence and timing of these combinations matter. A Hydrafacial is often scheduled 1 week before a targeted treatment to prep the skin, and 2 weeks after a peel to support recovery. Your provider maps this timeline based on your specific treatment plan.