Hello.
I am Dr. Kim Dong-young, Director of Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch.
Have you ever had an exfoliating treatment and felt disappointed with the results,
or found that even after repeating the same peel, milia or pigmentation remained?
"I've had a peel before, but the results were less than expected.
They say it's all exfoliation, but each peel has a different penetration depth and approach.
I'm curious about which method provides a fundamental approach."
Although they are all called exfoliation, the skin depth approached by each peeling procedure is completely different.
Some peels only refine the surface of the epidermis,
some penetrate deep into the dermis to induce cell regeneration,
some provide both exfoliation and nourishment,
and some use carbon and lasers to address the root cause of acne.
Because the situation requiring surface refinement differs from the situation requiring deep penetration depending on your skin concerns,
choosing a peel after understanding the approach and penetration depth determines the satisfaction of the results.
Combining these various approaches according to your needs
is what Hongdae exfoliation is about.
Today, I will explain how the approaches and penetration depths of the 4 types of peels differ,
and which peel is suitable for which situation.
What is Hongdae exfoliation?
👉 Hongdae exfoliation utilizes 4 types of peels with completely different approaches and penetration depths: GA Peel for deep penetration, LHA Peel for low-irritation regeneration, Pumpkin Peel for natural enzyme nourishment, and Black Peel using a carbon laser method.
Dead skin cells are cells that the skin creates on its own.
Normally, they shed on their own in a cycle of about 28 days,
but when factors such as stress, dryness, aging, excess oil, or breakouts occur,
the shedding cycle breaks down, and dead skin cells begin to thicken and clump together.
Because thickened dead skin cells darken the skin tone, clog pores,
and cause milia,
a treatment that fundamentally refines dead skin cells is necessary.
At the Hongdae branch, we operate 4 options with different peeling approaches,
so you can combine treatments from surface refinement to deep penetration according to your skin concerns.
Approaches and penetration depths of the 4 types of peels
👉 The 4 types of peels at the Hongdae branch have completely different approaches and penetration depths: chemical deep peeling, chemical low-irritation peeling, natural enzyme peeling, and physical carbon laser peeling.
GA Peel - Chemical Deep Penetration Peel
This is a peel with glycolic acid (AHA) extracted from sugarcane.
Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size among AHA ingredients,
so it has the best skin penetration ability.
Due to this characteristic, it is a deep peeling method that penetrates not only the surface dead skin cells but also deep into the skin,
inducing the production of collagen and elastin.
It is especially used as a method conducted regularly 5 or more times at 1-week intervals
when fundamental management is needed for conditions like milia, inflammatory acne, and pigmentation.
LHA Peel - Chemical Low-Irritation Peel
This is a peel with LHA (Lipohydroxy acid) developed by L'Oreal.
With a pH of 5.5, it is slightly acidic and similar to the skin's own acidity,
so it is a method that gently dissolves dead skin cells without forcibly peeling them off.
The penetration depth is shallower than the GA Peel, but the irritation is significantly lower,
making it suitable for those with sensitive skin or concerns about pain.
Pumpkin Peel - Natural Enzyme Nourishment Peel
This method utilizes natural enzymes, vitamin A, C, beta-carotene, and amino acids contained in pumpkin.
Because it is an approach where exfoliation and nourishment occur simultaneously,
it is effective for those who are dry and need exfoliation.
Penetration stays at the surface to middle layer, but it is characterized by moist regeneration.
Black Peel - Physical Carbon Laser Peel
If the previous three peels are chemical or enzymatic methods,
the Black Peel is a physical method that combines carbon lotion and laser stimulation.
Laser stimulation is applied while the carbon lotion is adsorbed into the sebum and dead skin cells in the pores,
removing dead skin cells and sebum along with the carbon to address the root cause of acne.
Laser heat stimulation also controls sebaceous glands and shrinks pores,
so it has strengths in acne and oil management.
Why GA Peel is particularly noted in Hongdae exfoliation
👉 Because GA Peel is a deep peel conducted with glycolic acid, which has the smallest molecular size among AHA ingredients, it is a fundamental management method that goes beyond surface exfoliation to approach collagen regeneration deep in the dermis and normalization of skin turnover.
Minimum molecular size - Deep penetration
Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular weight among AHA ingredients.
The smaller the molecule, the deeper it penetrates the skin,
and due to this characteristic, unlike shallow peels that only refine surface dead skin cells,
the reaction is delivered deep into the dermis.
Normalization of turnover cycle
It breaks down the binding force between dead skin cells,
inducing unnecessary dead skin cells and waste to fall off naturally.
In this process, the skin's own regeneration cycle (turnover) is normalized,
restoring the flow of healthy cells rising to the surface.
Promotion of collagen and elastin production
The penetrated glycolic acid stimulates fibroblasts deep in the dermis,
promoting the production of collagen and elastin.
It is a direction where skin elasticity recovery is achieved along with exfoliation.
Individual customization of concentration and pH
Because the concentration and pH of the GA Peel can be adjusted according to the practitioner's judgment,
the intensity is tuned to the individual's skin type and condition.
A method of starting comfortably with a low concentration and adjusting it as the sessions progress is frequently used.
Peel combination and regular management direction
👉 The 4 types of peels at the Hongdae branch have different approaches, so they can be combined according to need,
and are used as a regular management method that rotates peels according to the season, condition, and purpose.
Examples of seasonal combinations
Pumpkin Peel with a moist regeneration method in the dry winter,
Black Peel or GA Peel in the summer when oil and breakouts worsen,
or LHA Peel when recovery is needed after a period of high irritation,
different peels are used according to the season and skin condition.
Examples of combinations by condition
Fundamental approach with GA Peel or Black Peel when breakouts are active,
low-irritation management with LHA Peel when the skin is sensitive,
or Pumpkin Peel when the skin condition has collapsed and regeneration and nourishment are needed,
a peel suitable for the condition is selected.
Examples of combinations by purpose
Regular GA Peel if fundamental acne/pigmentation management is the priority,
LHA Peel if skin tone/texture improvement and normalization of the regeneration cycle are the priority,
Pumpkin Peel if nourishment and moist regeneration are the priority,
or Black Peel if acne and sebaceous gland control are the priority,
the suitable peel differs according to the management purpose.
Hongdae exfoliation lineup
👉 At the Hongdae branch, we operate four options for exfoliating peels: GA Peel, LHA Peel, Pumpkin Peel, and Black Peel.
The recommended cycle for each peel is different,
and the direction is for GA Peel to be conducted regularly 5 or more times at 1-week intervals, and other peels at 2-4 week intervals.
We will look at the options suitable for your skin concerns, management purpose, and regular management plan together
during the preliminary consultation.
Who is exfoliating peel suitable for?
Those who have recurring milia and inflammatory acne
Those who want both pigmentation and skin tone improvement
Those whose makeup does not apply well because dead skin cells have thickened
Those who are concerned about sebum and blackheads in their pores
Those who want to combine peels according to the season/condition and manage them regularly
Those who want fundamental skin regeneration management
Side effects of Hongdae exfoliation and things to know in advance
👉 Because the peels used for Hongdae exfoliation have different irritation and recovery periods depending on the approach,
choosing a peel that fits your individual skin condition has a significant impact on the stability of the results.
Light redness and slight heat may appear on the face immediately after the procedure.
Generally, it clears up naturally within a few hours to a day.
Because GA Peel is a deep penetration method, the skin may become sensitive for a few days after the peel,
and because there is a reaction to UV rays, UV protection management after the procedure is especially important.
Since dead skin cells are refined, the defense against UV rays may be temporarily weakened,
so the use of sunscreen and physical blocking (hats, parasols) helps with recovery stability.
Black Peel has laser stimulation, so the reaction may be strong in areas with dark pigmentation,
and although Pumpkin Peel is a natural ingredient, prior confirmation is required if you have a history of allergies.
LHA Peel has low irritation, but if you have a history of strong peels or dermabrasion recently, interval adjustment is necessary.
Following the guidance of experienced medical staff, the suitable peel and intensity are decided after checking your skin condition and state during the preliminary consultation.
If any of the following apply to you, the procedure may be restricted or
prior confirmation may be required, so please inform us during the consultation.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
If there is an active infection, wound, or herpes at the procedure site
If you have recently had a strong peel, dermabrasion, or laser procedure
If you are taking photosensitizing medication (isotretinoin, etc.)
If you have recently tanned or have been exposed to a lot of UV rays
If you have a history of allergies to peeling ingredients
⚠️ Precautions before and after exfoliating peel procedure
👉 Peeling procedure is a procedure where result stability and recovery speed vary depending on condition management before the procedure and UV/moisturizing management after the procedure.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When can I see the results of Hongdae exfoliation?
You can see that the skin surface becomes smoother immediately after the procedure.
Due to the nature of the deep peel, GA Peel establishes fundamental improvement as the sessions accumulate,
and other peels also establish a stable skin condition when conducted regularly.
Q. What is the biggest difference between GA Peel and other peels?
It is the penetration depth.
Because the glycolic acid in GA Peel has the smallest molecular size among AHA ingredients,
it is a deep peel that penetrates deep into the dermis, unlike other peels that only refine surface dead skin cells,
approaching collagen production and normalization of skin turnover.
Q. Which of the 4 types of peels should I start with?
It depends on your skin condition and management purpose.
GA Peel is suitable if fundamental acne/pigmentation management is the priority,
LHA Peel if you have sensitive skin and are burdened by irritation,
Pumpkin Peel if you have dry skin and need nourishment,
and Black Peel if active acne and sebum control are the priority.
Q. Why is GA Peel received more frequently than other peels?
GA Peel is a procedure recommended to be conducted regularly 5 or more times at 1-week intervals.
Due to the nature of the deep peel, the reaction of collagen regeneration and turnover normalization becomes more distinct as the sessions accumulate,
so a method of repeated management at short intervals is effective for result stability.
Q. Can I combine multiple peels?
Because the approaches are different, combinations are possible.
Rotating GA Peel and LHA Peel according to the season, condition, and purpose,
or dividing Pumpkin Peel and Black Peel by period are methods frequently considered.
Q. How much pain is there?
LHA Peel and Pumpkin Peel are conducted comfortably with almost no pain.
GA Peel may have a slight stinging sensation,
and Black Peel has laser stimulation, so you may feel slight irritation,
but all are at a level that you can receive without burden.
Q. Can I wear makeup after the peel?
It depends on the type of procedure.
Light makeup is possible from the evening of the day of the procedure for LHA Peel and Pumpkin Peel,
and minimal makeup is recommended for a few hours after the procedure for GA Peel and Black Peel to soothe the skin.
Q. Can it be performed in parallel with other procedures?
Peeling is often performed in parallel for the purpose of refining dead skin cells and promoting the absorption of active ingredients before various procedures.
It is often combined with skin booster, lifting, and pigment laser procedures.
Although they are called exfoliation, the skin depth and method approached by each peeling procedure are completely different.
The method of refining only surface dead skin cells and the deep peel that approaches deep into the dermis,
the method of gently refining with enzymes and the method of approaching breakouts with carbon laser
have different result directions and suitable skin conditions.
For Hongdae exfoliation, 4 types of peeling options with different approaches and penetration depths are used: GA Peel specialized for deep penetration, LHA Peel for low-irritation regeneration,
Pumpkin Peel for natural enzyme nourishment, and Black Peel using a carbon laser method.
At the Hongdae branch, you can combine these four peels according to the season, condition, and purpose.
While continuing fundamental deep management with GA Peel,
you can design a regular management plan by rotating LHA Peel, Pumpkin Peel, and Black Peel according to the season and condition.
We will check the direction suitable for your skin concerns and management purpose directly during the consultation.
If you want to manage from the root by choosing a peel with various approaches,
please feel free to visit Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch.
Even before deciding on a procedure, you can check the peel suitable for your skin condition together through a preliminary consultation.
※ This content is for general information purposes, and results may vary by individual.
Please decide on accurate diagnosis and whether to proceed with the procedure through consultation with a specialist.
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