WHO TO GO TO The Private Skin Laser Clinic, Dermatology Department, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, NW3; 020 7435 7521. John Scurr, The Lister Hospital, as before; 020 7730 9563.

COSTS £250 per treatment; multiple treatments are needed.

OPTIMUM AGE As needed, thirties and up.

SKIN PEELS

THE PROCEDURE A chemical solution is applied to the cleaned skin and left on for a specified period of time. A deep peel will remove some wrinkles.

TIME TO HEAL Light peels require no downtime and can be done in a lunch hour. Deeper peels, including Obagi (based on trichloroacetic acid), will result in flaking or peeling and will require a week to heal.

RISK FACTORS A change in skin pigment (lighter) is the biggest potential problem; others include skin-darkening, blotches, scabbing, irritation, redness and increased sensitivity. The new skin will be pink and sensitive, and will stay that way for 2-3 months.

HOW LONG IT LASTS Superficial peels with glycolic acid require 4-8 sessions; medium and deeper peels, using trichloroacetic acid, may be a one-off event. For sensitive skin, glycolic-acid treatments may be milder and spaced further apart.

WHO TO GO TO Dr Penelope Tympanidis, 19 Wimpole Street, W1; 020 7462 0030, www.renascence.co.uk. Dr Tamara Griffiths, Alan Drive, Altrincham, Greater Manchester; 01625 536488.

COSTS From £100 to £400, depending on the type of peel and the extent of the treatment.

OPTIMUM AGE Teens and twenties for acne and spots; thirties and upwards for skin maintenance. The older you are, the more damage there will be to treat, and the stronger the peel programme required to gain visible results.

THERMAGE