TCA chemical peel in Sydney & Brisbane at Contour Clinics

Skin

Cosmo Peel

Fine lines, pigmentation, sun damage and acne scarring are among the concerns a TCA chemical peel can help address. Cosmo Peel is offered in three strengths – 12%, 15% and Forte – so treatment depth can be matched to your specific concern. Available after a complimentary consultation in our Sydney and Brisbane clinics.

Medium to deep TCA peel with three strength options: 12%, 15% and Forte
12% and 15% suitable for most Fitzpatrick skin types and careful selection for Forte
Supports collagen production and skin renewal, with formulation tailored to strength
Strength and course length are reviewed as your skin responds

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Results may vary between individuals and depend on personal goals, baseline characteristics, and responses to treatment. A consultation with a qualified medical professional is recommended to determine if this treatment is suitable for you.

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What Is a Cosmo Peel?

Cosmo Peel 12% and 15% are trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels, working by causing a controlled level of micro injury to the skin’s surface. This triggers the body’s natural healing response, stimulating collagen production and accelerating skin renewal as the skin repairs itself. Cosmo Peel is different to AHA and BHA peels like Milk Peel or Crystal Peel, which work at a more superficial level.

Cosmo Peel Forte is formulated differently. Rather than TCA alone, it combines phenol, TCA and glycolic acid. Phenol works to regenerate the skin’s deeper structure, TCA coagulates skin proteins to accelerate renewal, and glycolic acid helps both other actives penetrate more effectively. This combination is what allows Forte to address more advanced concerns than the 12% and 15% strengths, though it also carries a longer recovery period and a higher risk profile.

Because Cosmo Peel spans three distinct formulations, your Skin & Laser Therapist will select the strength suited to your specific concern, rather than simply a “stronger” or “weaker” version of the same peel.

TCA chemical peel can help with deep pigmentation and fine lines

What Can a Cosmo Peel Help With?

Cosmo Peel 12% and 15% are intended for:

Solar lentigines (sun spots)
Superficial pigmented lesions
Keratosis pilaris
Fine lines
Mild to moderate acne scarring, pigmentation, sun damage and uneven skin texture

Cosmo Peel Forte is intended for:

Deep wrinkles
Advanced photageing
Severe sun damage
Acne scars
Textured acne scars
Senile lentigines (age spots)
Actinic keratosis

Individual results vary. Your Skin & Laser Therapist will assess your skin to recommend the strength most appropriate for your concern.

Cosmo Peel Types Compared

You don’t need to know if Cosmo Peel is suitable before you book. That’s what your consultation is for and is where we establish your goals and history so we can recommend appropriate options.

Cosmo Peel 12% for Sun Spots and Superficial Pigmentation

Cosmo Peel 12% is the entry-level TCA strength in the range, intended for the treatment of solar lentigines, superficial pigmented lesions, keratosis pilaris and fine lines. It’s typically considered for patients seeking correction of these concerns without committing to the longer recovery of a deeper peel, with downtime of approximately 5 to 7 days.

Not sure if 12% is the right fit for your skin? A complimentary consultation with your Skin & Laser Therapist is the clearest way to find out – book yours below.

Cosmo Peel 15% for More Persistent Pigmentation

Cosmo Peel 15% treats the same concerns as the 12% strength at a higher TCA concentration, considered for patients wanting more pronounced correction. It’s often chosen by patients with some peel experience or more persistent pigmentation, with a moderately longer recovery period of approximately 7 to 10 days.

If your skin hasn’t responded as hoped to a previous peel, it’s worth discussing strength options at your next consultation – your Skin & Laser Therapist can reassess this with you.

Cosmo Peel Forte for Acne Scarring and Advanced Skin Concerns

Cosmo Peel Forte is formulated differently to the 12% and 15% strengths, combining phenol, TCA and glycolic acid. It’s intended for the treatment of acne scars, senile lentigines and actinic keratosis, and is reserved for carefully selected patients following a thorough skin assessment. It carries the longest recovery time – approximately 10 to 14 days or longer.

Because actinic keratosis is a skin condition rather than a purely cosmetic concern, your Skin & Laser Therapist may also recommend it’s monitored by your GP or dermatologist as part of your broader skin health.

If you’re unsure which strength may suit you, that decision is exactly what your consultation is for – it isn’t something to work out on your own.

How Does a Cosmo Peel Work?

At every strength, Cosmo Peel is applied to clean, prepared skin by your Skin & Laser Therapist, who controls penetration through the number of layers applied and the specific strength and formulation selected.

For 12% and 15%, the TCA component works by coagulating proteins within the skin to accelerate renewal and support collagen production. For Forte, phenol works alongside TCA to support deeper structural renewal, with glycolic acid aiding penetration of both actives. Results build gradually as the skin heals, and timelines vary by strength and by individual.

What to Expect in a Cosmo Peel in our Sydney and Brisbane Clinics

Before your treatment:

A thorough skin assessment with your Skin & Laser Therapist to confirm suitability and appropriate strength
Discussion of your medical history, current medications and any recent treatments
An explanation of the process, what to expect during and after, and any preparation recommended beforehand
A written plan you can take away, with no pressure or expectation to proceed on the day

During your treatment:

Cleansing and preparation of the skin
Application of the selected Cosmo Peel strength
Application of a neutralising cream once complete

After your treatment:

Redness and a sensation of tightness in the days following treatment
Visible peeling for a period that increases with strength – approximately 5 to 7 days (12%), 7 to 10 days (15%), or 10 to 14 days or longer (Forte)
Strict sun protection for several weeks following treatment, particularly after Forte

How Much Is a Cosmo Peel in Sydney and Brisbane?

H2 How Much Is a Cosmo Peel in Sydney and Brisbane?

At Contour Clinics, the price for a Cosmo Peel in our Sydney and Brisbane clinics, is $350 for Cosmo 12% and 15%, and $480 for Cosme Forte.

Consultations at Contour Clinics are complimentary, comprehensive and obligation-free. A $75 deposit is payable upon booking your appointment and is credited to your treatment if you proceed, or refunded in full if you decide not to.

There is no expectation to proceed with treatment after your consultation – your Skin & Laser Therapist will provide you with a tailored, written plan that you can take away and decide on in your own time. If you would like to proceed, same-day treatment may be available depending on availability.

For detailed information, call, send us a message or book a consultation.

Prices

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel and how does it work?

A TCA peel uses trichloroacetic acid to cause a controlled level of injury to the skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response and stimulating collagen production and skin renewal. Cosmo Peel 12% and 15% are TCA peels; Cosmo Peel Forte is formulated differently, combining phenol, TCA and glycolic acid for a more intensive result.

What's the difference between Cosmo Peel 12%, 15% and Forte?

Cosmo Peel 12% and 15% are both TCA peels, intended for solar lentigines, superficial pigmented lesions and keratosis pilaris, with 15% offering a stronger concentration. Cosmo Peel Forte is a different formulation combining phenol, TCA and glycolic acid, intended for acne scars, senile lentigines and actinic keratosis, with the longest recovery time of the three.

Is a Cosmo Peel painful?

Most patients experience a warming or stinging sensation during application, which your Skin & Laser Therapist manages by controlling the number of layers applied. Higher strengths, particularly Forte, may involve more noticeable sensation.

What are the benefits of a TCA peel for pigmentation and keratosis pilaris?

Cosmo Peel 12% and 15% are intended for the treatment of solar lentigines, superficial pigmented lesions and keratosis pilaris, working by stimulating collagen production and cell renewal. The extent of improvement varies by individual and by strength used, which is why your Skin & Laser Therapist tailors your treatment plan to your specific concern.

Is Cosmo Peel Forte used for acne scars, and what does the evidence say?

Cosmo Peel Forte is intended for the treatment of acne scars, among other concerns. Separately, TCA Cross – a treatment we offer using trichloroacetic acid applied directly to individual scars – is a recognised option in dermatology literature for atrophic acne scarring. Cosmo Peel Forte is applied across the full face rather than scar-by-scar, so discuss with your Skin & Laser Therapist which approach is more suited to your scarring.

How do TCA and glycolic acid peels differ for treating pigmentation?

TCA works at a deeper level than glycolic acid alone, making Cosmo Peel generally more suited to persistent pigmentation such as solar lentigines, while glycolic-based peels such as the Milk Peel work more superficially with shorter downtime. Which is more appropriate depends on the type and depth of your pigmentation.

How many Cosmo Peel sessions will I need?

Most patients will need two to three sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart – but it depends on the strength used and your individual concern. Your Skin & Laser Therapist will recommend a course tailored to your goals during consultation, and adjust it as needed to your skin’s response.

Who Is Cosmo Peel Suitable For?

Suitability depends on the strength being considered. Cosmo Peel 12% and 15% are generally suitable for most Fitzpatrick skin types with appropriate preparation, while Cosmo Peel Forte is reserved for carefully selected Fitzpatrick I–III patients due to a higher risk of pigment changes in darker skin tones.

Across all strengths, this treatment may not be appropriate if you have an active skin infection, a compromised skin barrier, poor wound healing, have recently used isotretinoin, have known allergies to peel ingredients, or are pregnant or breastfeeding (assessed on an individual and clinic basis).

Higher strengths carry an increased risk of prolonged redness, pigment changes, infection and scarring if aftercare guidance isn’t followed closely.

What are the side effects and risks of a Cosmo Peel?

Possible side effects include redness, dryness, tightness and visible peeling as the skin renews. Risks increase with strength and include prolonged redness, pigment changes, infection and scarring if aftercare guidance isn’t followed closely, which is why patient selection and skin preparation matter as much as the peel itself.

Is Cosmo Peel Forte suitable for all skin tones?

Cosmo Peel Forte is reserved for carefully selected Fitzpatrick I–III patients due to a higher risk of pigment changes in darker skin tones. Cosmo Peel 12% and 15% have broader suitability, subject to individual assessment.

What would make me unsuitable for a Cosmo Peel?

Active skin infections, a compromised skin barrier, poor wound healing, recent isotretinoin use, known ingredient allergies, and pregnancy or breastfeeding may affect suitability. This is confirmed during your consultation.

What are the worst days of recovery after a Cosmo Peel?

Peeling and visible skin shedding tend to peak a few days into recovery and can look more dramatic than it feels, though this varies by individual and by strength. Redness and tightness are often most noticeable in the earlier days, with peeling following as the skin renews itself.

How long is downtime for a Cosmo Peel 15%?

Cosmo Peel 15% typically involves approximately 7 to 10 days of downtime, with potential peeling depending on the depth and number of layers applied.

How important is sun protection after a Cosmo Peel?

Strict sun protection is essential following treatment, particularly after Forte, to protect healing skin and reduce the risk of pigment changes.

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