Brightness, clarity and texture — without the drama.
A professional exfoliating treatment that lifts dull surface cells so the skin underneath can do its job. The peel is selected for your skin type, your concern and how much exfoliation you've had before — which is why ours are gentle and don't come with a week of hiding indoors. And if your skin isn't ready for one on the day, we'll tell you before we start, not after.
A peel works on the outermost layers, which makes it the right tool for:
For acne scarring or laxity — concerns that live below the surface — microneedling reaches further and is the more honest recommendation.
Peels vary in what they're made of and how deeply they work. Ours are G.M. Collin professional peels, and we select yours based on your skin type, what you're treating, and how much exfoliation your skin is used to — someone who has never had a peel doesn't start where a regular client continues.
That's also why booking a peel is a conversation rather than a checkbox. Clients sometimes arrive with a peel booked as an add-on and a skin barrier that isn't up to it that day — when that happens we say so, skip the peel, and spend the time strengthening the barrier instead.
Peels can be added to a facial when it suits your skin that day — just ask during your appointment. Dermaplaning is the other gentle exfoliation we offer and works differently. If you'd rather someone worked out the right combination for you, that's what the skin consultation is for, and our facials are where most plans start.
A facial is the fuller treatment — cleansing, exfoliation, hydration and care chosen for your skin on the day — and it's where most people should start. A peel is targeted exfoliation, chosen when the concern is brown spots, uneven tone, large pores or texture. Often the answer is both: a peel added to a Signature Facial when your skin is ready for it. If you're not sure, book the facial and we'll guide you from there.
Light dryness or fine flaking over the first few days is the normal response — our peels are gentle, and dramatic shedding isn't what they're designed to do. A short wave of breakouts as turnover speeds up is possible on congested skin; if we think your skin is likely to do that, we'll tell you before we start rather than let it surprise you.
Eighteen. Targeted treatments are for adults; for ages 14–18, the Teen Facial is the right place to start.
Tell us before you book. For targeted treatments we ask you to start with a consultation so we can advise for you specifically rather than apply a blanket rule. In the meantime, facials are the option most people choose during pregnancy — comfortable for as long as lying on your back is.
The honest answer is custom: it depends on your skin and the peel we chose. At the end of your treatment we tell you exactly which actives to pause and for how long — and sun protection matters more than usual afterwards.
Chemical peels at Sunwaves Facial Studio in Waterdown, Ontario start at $75. A peel uses acids to loosen the bonds between dead surface cells, improving brightness, clarity, tone and texture over the days that follow — the targeted option for brown spots, uneven tone, large pores and rough texture. Our peels are gentle: light dryness or fine flaking is the normal response, not dramatic shedding. A peel can often be added to a Signature Facial when your skin is ready for it, and aftercare is tailored — we tell you exactly which actives to pause and for how long. Peels are for adults 18 and over; for ages 14 to 18 the Teen Facial is the right start, and if your goal is glow rather than correction, our specialty facials are the gentler route. The studio is appointment-only, Wednesday to Saturday — book online or email us.
Sunwaves Facial Studio · 80 Hamilton St N, Waterdown, ON L8B 0G8
By appointment — Wednesday & Thursday 12–8 pm, Friday 10 am–6 pm, Saturday 9 am–2 pm · (289) 895-8874