We are Dr. Caroline Warden and Louise Devereux — two sisters running a family-run aesthetic clinic in Hale, Cheshire / South Manchester. We specialise in natural but noticeable-looking results and use evidence-based treatments with FDA/MHRA approved products.

What are Dr Caroline Warden’s qualifications?

Dr Caroline Warden has been an NHS doctor for over 18 years and a practising GP for the past 9 years. She holds a postgraduate Level 7 diploma in cosmetic injectables from the Harley Academy in London.

What treatments do you offer?

Services include anti-wrinkle injections, skin boosters (e.g. Profhilo), superficial and medium-depth chemical peels, dermal fillers (cheeks, lips, chin, jawline), regenerative medicine (polynucleotide and exosome treatments), microneedling with exosomes, lip booster injections, and medical-grade Obagi skincare.

How much are the treatments?

Treatment prices are available on request or via the dedicated price list; there is also a separate skincare price list.

I’m keen to get some advice / a treatment — what’s the process?

You complete medical and skin questionnaires first, then have a thorough consultation where Dr Caroline assesses your skin and formulates a personalised treatment plan. If medically suitable and time permits, same-day treatments can be performed. The consultation costs £50 and is fully redeemable against any future treatments (excluding skincare products).

How do I book an appointment?

You can book directly using the booking link on the website, fill in the contact form, or message via Instagram/Facebook. Alternatively, you can email drcarolinewarden@gmail.com.

How do I cancel or reschedule?

You can cancel or reschedule via your Glowday login. Cancellations within 48 hours incur a £25 fee; no-shows incur a £50 fee. Multiple short-notice reschedules may result in being unable to rebook.

Where are you located?

Our clinic is located at 2 Crown Passage, Hale, WA15 9GN, in the heart of Hale, South Manchester / Cheshire.

What should I do when I arrive?

Just come in the front door and take a seat in the reception area. We’ll send a contact number 24 hours before your appointment so you can reach us if there are any issues.

Will my treatment hurt?

We use ultra-fine needles and dermal fillers with local anaesthetic. We also offer distraction tools like vibration wands, fans, stress balls, cryo-balls, and strong numbing creams. Louise is often present to offer extra comfort and support.

You can pay by cash or card. There is a cash machine two minutes’ walk from the clinic at the Co-op on Altrincham Road. A pre-payment plan is not currently available, but is planned for the future.

What if there is a complication?

After every appointment you receive detailed aftercare instructions and Dr Warden’s personal mobile number. If there is a complication, advice and treatment post-procedure will be provided free of charge.

What if I don’t like the results?

Results cannot be guaranteed and refunds are not offered if you are unhappy. Treatments will eventually wear off naturally. If a dermal filler complication arises, dissolving is offered for free; dissolving for other reasons is available for a fee.

Obagi Blue Peel Radiance

Doctor-Led treatments in Hale, Altrincham & Cheshire

bottle of the peel on a website page about the chemical peel Obagi Blue Peel Radiance at dr caroline wardens doctor led skin and aesthetic clinic in hale, altrincham/south manchester

Brighter skin by tomorrow, with nothing to hide

Not every skin reset needs a week behind closed doors. The Obagi Blue Peel Radiance is the peel I reach for when a patient wants their skin brighter, smoother and clearer for an event at the weekend, as a regular tune-up between bigger treatments, or as a first peel for skin that has never had one. It is a superficial salicylic acid peel, it takes twenty to thirty minutes, and most patients are back in makeup the next day.

Superficial does not mean cosmetic-counter. The Blue Peel Radiance is a medical-grade peel from Obagi, built around 20% salicylic acid, the one peeling acid that dissolves in oil and therefore works inside the pore rather than only on the surface. A touch of glycolic and lactic acid adds exfoliation and brightness. The result is skin that looks fresher after a single treatment and keeps improving as a course, with the kind of recovery you can fit around a normal working week.

I am Dr Caroline Warden, an NHS GP with over nineteen years of clinical experience, an independent prescriber and a Level 7 qualified aesthetic doctor trained at Harley Academy. I have practised aesthetic medicine since 2017, my clinic in Hale, near Altrincham, was named GHP Best Doctor-Led Aesthetic Clinic in Cheshire 2026, and Glowday ranks me in its top ten practitioners in Manchester on verified patient reviews, of which there are now more than 260. Obagi is the medical skincare range I use and prescribe every day, so the peel sits inside a plan for your skin rather than on its own. Every consultation, peel and review is carried out by me personally.

What is the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance and how does it work?

Your skin is meant to shed its outer layer continuously. With age, sun and congestion that process slows, dead cells sit on the surface, pores fill, light stops bouncing off the skin evenly and the complexion looks dull and uneven. A superficial peel restarts the process. The solution loosens the bonds holding those tired surface cells in place so they shed over the following days, revealing the smoother, brighter skin underneath and prompting the skin to renew itself a little faster for a while afterwards.

What makes this peel different from a glycolic or lactic peel is its lead ingredient.

Ingredient	What it does	What that means for your skin
20% salicylic acid	A beta-hydroxy acid that dissolves in oil, so it travels into the pore	Clears congestion, refines pores, calms blemish-prone skin and smooths texture
1.6% glycolic acid	A small alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the surface	A more even shed and a boost to skin renewal
1.4% lactic acid	A gentle, hydrating alpha-hydroxy acid	Brightens uneven tone without drying the skin

The peel is self-neutralising: it stops working on its own, which is one of the reasons it is so predictable, and it tells me when it is done. Within a couple of minutes a light white "pseudo-frost" appears across the skin as the salicylic acid crystallises on the surface. That is the end point, not a burn, and it wipes away. Depending on your skin type and how comfortably the first pass is tolerated, I may apply a second or third pass to deepen the effect.

What the evidence shows

Salicylic acid is one of the best-studied superficial peeling agents in dermatology, and the published literature supports exactly the two things I value it for: what it does inside the pore, and how well it is tolerated across skin tones. A comprehensive review in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology put the first point this way:

"SA peels are a good therapeutic option for comedonal acne."
Arif, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

The same review reports benefits for photoageing and congested skin across the full range of Fitzpatrick skin types, including the deepest tones, which is why this is the peel I can offer with confidence to patients who need more caution with medium-depth treatments. It also confirms the practical point above: salicylic peels do not need neutralising, and the frost shows the peel is complete. Those three qualities, pore-level action, tolerability across skin tones and a built-in end point, are what make it the right first peel for most people.

A woman is sitting on a medical examination chair in a clinic room, looking at a tablet. There is a white cabinet with a vase of purple flowers, a device, and a basket nearby. A white stool is in front of the cabinet, and the floor is wooden.

What can the Blue Peel Radiance improve?

Concern	What the peel does	What else I may add
Dull, tired-looking skin	Lifts the layer of dead cells that flattens the light; the glow is visible within days	A simple Obagi routine to keep it
Congestion, blackheads and enlarged pores	Salicylic acid clears the pore from inside and reduces oil; the peel's strongest suit	Prescription skincare for ongoing control
Blemish-prone skin	Fewer blocked pores and a calmer surface as a course builds	Active, inflamed acne is a medical condition for your GP or a dermatologist; I will tell you if that is what I am seeing
Uneven tone, sun damage and post-blemish marks	Gradual brightening of surface pigmentation over a course	The Perfect Peel for established sun damage; pigment-regulating skincare
Fine lines and rough texture	Smooths the surface and softens very fine lines through faster renewal	Microneedling or skin boosters for deeper change
Melasma-pattern pigmentation	A gentle option within a plan, because it creates little heat or inflammation	Skincare in place first and strict sun protection throughout

How the Blue Peel Radiance compares with other skin treatments

I offer two peels for two different jobs. One brightens and clears with no downtime; the other resets sun-damaged skin with a week of peeling. Knowing which you need is most of the consultation.

Treatment	Depth and downtime	Best suited to
Obagi Blue Peel Radiance	Superficial; pink for a few hours, light flaking in some, makeup next day	Dullness, congestion, pores, blemish-prone skin, a pre-event glow, maintenance, a first peel
The Perfect Peel	Medium depth; about a week of visible peeling	Established sun damage, pigmentation, post-acne marks and rough texture: a genuine reset
Medical microneedling	Works in the dermis; pink for 12 to 24 hours	Acne scarring, fine lines, collagen and firmness
Skin boosters	Injected into the skin; small bumps for a few hours	Dehydration and elasticity rather than surface texture
Medical-grade skincare	Daily; no downtime	The foundation under every peel, and what keeps the result

In practice the two peels work together. Many of my patients have a course of Blue Peel Radiance through spring and summer, when a medium-depth peel is harder to protect from the sun, then move to The Perfect Peel in the autumn for the deeper work, with Blue Peel Radiance as maintenance in between. It also pairs well with microneedling, clearing the surface so the needling and the exosomes have a cleaner canvas to work on.

Who the Blue Peel Radiance suits

A good fit if you	A better plan first if you
Have normal to oily skin that looks dull, congested or uneven	Have established sun damage or pigmentation: The Perfect Peel will do more
Want brighter skin for an event this month, with no time off	Have very dry, reactive or barrier-damaged skin: calm and repair it first
Have blemish-prone skin with blocked pores and blackheads	Have active, inflamed breakouts, which need medical assessment before any peel
Have a deeper skin tone and want a peel that is well tolerated across all skin types	Have had waxing, laser hair removal or a retinoid on the area in the last five to seven days
Have never had a peel and want to start gently, or want maintenance between deeper treatments	Are allergic to aspirin or salicylates

Dr Caroline's note

This is the peel I suggest when someone tells me their skin "just looks tired" and they cannot put their finger on why. Nine times out of ten the answer is a build-up of dead surface cells and congested pores, and one Blue Peel Radiance shows them what their skin can look like. It is also the peel I use on patients with deeper skin tones, who are sometimes told they cannot have peels at all. They can. It is a matter of choosing the right one, and this is the one I choose.

What to expect at your appointment

Stage	What happens
1. Before you come	For five to seven days before the peel, no waxing, laser hair removal, electrolysis or depilatory cream on the area, and pause retinoids and exfoliating acids. You complete a medical form in advance.
2. Consultation	I go through your form, assess your skin type and what is actually making it look dull or uneven, and confirm this is the right peel. If it is not, I say so. Before photographs are taken.
3. Treatment	Makeup is removed and the skin cleansed. The under-eyes, nostrils and upper lip are protected with a barrier balm, as are microbladed brows. The first pass goes on with gauze and sits for two minutes while you feel warmth and tingling. A second or third pass follows if your skin suits it. The light frost that appears is the end point. Twenty to thirty minutes.
4. After	Obagi Sun Shield SPF 50 is applied before you leave, in the cool or warm tint that matches your skin. Written aftercare, my direct number, and the next peel booked two to four weeks on if you are having a course.

Good to know

For three to five days afterwards keep to a gentle cleanser and a barrier-repair moisturiser such as Obagi Skin Barrier Recovery Cream, and leave retinoids and exfoliants in the drawer. Do not pick at any flaking; let it come away on its own. SPF 50 every morning from the day after, and keep it up: the new surface is more sensitive to the sun and that is where the result is won or lost. Drink plenty of water. Makeup is usually fine the next day.

Recovery and results

When	What you will see
Straight after	A little pinkness and a feeling of tightness, like a day in a light breeze. Already protected with SPF.
Days 1 to 3	Skin feels smoother and looks brighter. Some patients have light, dry flaking, particularly around the nose and mouth; many have none at all.
Days 3 to 7	Any flaking finishes and the full glow comes through: clearer pores, more even tone, a surface that takes makeup better.
A course	Four to six peels, two to four weeks apart, build on each other for congestion, blemish-prone skin, uneven tone and texture, and the result lasts longer.
Maintenance	A single peel every one to three months keeps skin clear and bright between other treatments.

Dr Caroline's note

If you are having this before an occasion, book it three to five days ahead rather than the morning of. That gives any flaking time to finish and the brightness time to come through, so the skin is at its best on the day rather than on the day after. For a wedding, a course finishing a week before the date is ideal, and I would not try a first peel in the final fortnight.

Safety and suitability

The Blue Peel Radiance is one of the gentlest treatments I offer, with a long safety record across all skin types. It is still a medical peel, applied by a doctor after an assessment, and the small risks it carries are kept small by preparing the skin properly and protecting it afterwards.

How often	What	How I keep the risk low
Expected and temporary	Tingling and warmth during the peel, pinkness and tightness for a few hours, light flaking for up to a week	Barrier balm on the delicate areas, passes judged to your skin, SPF applied before you leave
Less common	Prolonged redness or sensitivity, a small breakout as the skin clears, a cold sore flare	Five to seven days off actives and hair removal beforehand, barrier repair afterwards, preventive antiviral treatment where you have a cold sore history
Rare	Temporary post-inflammatory pigmentation, allergic reaction to salicylates	Allergy history checked, no treatment on compromised skin, strict sun protection, my direct number

The peel is not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, allergic to aspirin or salicylates, have an active infection, open skin or sunburn in the area, have taken isotretinoin recently, or have had waxing, laser or a retinoid on the area in the last five to seven days. Very sensitive, reactive or barrier-damaged skin usually needs settling first, and where redness or breakouts look like a skin condition rather than a skin-quality concern, your GP or a dermatologist is the right first appointment. I will tell you if that is the case.

View of a clean and minimal clinical examination room with white cabinetry, decorative items, and a white examination chair.

Prices

The Blue Peel Radiance is priced per peel, with Obagi Sun Shield SPF 50 applied in clinic. The consultation fee of £75 is redeemed against treatment.

Treatment	What is included	Price
Obagi Blue Peel Radiance	Doctor-led peel, SPF 50 applied, aftercare and check-in	£125
Course of four to six	Two to four weeks apart, for congestion, blemish-prone skin, tone and texture	Priced per peel
The Perfect Peel	The medium-depth alternative, with about a week of peeling	£345
Consultation	Full skin assessment and plan, redeemable against treatment	£75

You can also see the full clinic price list.

If your skin looks tired, congested or simply not as bright as it used to, book a consultation at the clinic in Hale. If this is the right peel for you, it can usually be done at the same appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance hurt?

No anaesthetic is needed. Expect warmth and tingling for a couple of minutes with each pass, settling as soon as the frost appears. Most patients describe it as a mild, fizzy sting.

Is there any downtime?

Very little. Some pinkness for a few hours and, in some patients, light flaking for a few days. Makeup is usually fine the next day, and you can go straight back to work.

Will my skin peel?

Sometimes lightly, usually around the nose and mouth, and often not at all. This is a superficial peel; the improvement comes from faster renewal rather than visible shedding.

When will I see results?

Brighter, smoother skin within a few days of the first peel. Congestion, tone and texture keep improving over a course.

How many peels will I need?

One for a refresh. A course of four to six, two to four weeks apart, for congestion, blemish-prone skin, uneven tone and texture, with occasional single peels to maintain the result.

What is the frost I have seen in photographs?

Salicylic acid crystallising on the surface of the skin, which tells me the peel has finished working. It is not a burn and it wipes away before you leave.

What is the difference between the Blue Peel Radiance and The Perfect Peel?

Depth and downtime. The Blue Peel Radiance is superficial, with little or no visible peeling, for brightness, congestion and maintenance. The Perfect Peel is medium depth, with a week of peeling, for established sun damage and pigmentation.

Is it suitable for darker skin tones?

Yes. Salicylic acid peels are well tolerated across all Fitzpatrick skin types, and this is the peel I recommend for deeper skin tones that need more caution with medium-depth treatments.

Can it help blemish-prone skin?

Yes. Salicylic acid works inside the pore, clearing congestion and reducing oil, and a course keeps pores clearer between visits. Active, inflamed acne is a medical condition and needs assessment by your GP or a dermatologist first; I will say so if that is what I see.

Can I have it if I have sensitive or redness-prone skin?

Sometimes, after assessment. Reactive skin and a damaged barrier need calming first, and where the redness looks like a skin condition rather than a skin-quality concern, your GP is the right first appointment.

How should I prepare?

For five to seven days before, no waxing, laser hair removal, electrolysis or depilatory creams on the area, and pause retinoids and exfoliating acids. Arrive with clean skin if you can.

What aftercare do I need?

Gentle cleanser and barrier-repair moisturiser for three to five days, no actives, no picking, SPF 50 every morning, and plenty of water.

Can I have it before a wedding or holiday?

Yes, and it is one of the best treatments for that. Book three to five days before the event, or finish a course a week before a wedding. Avoid strong sun in the days afterwards. For a full bridal timeline, see my wedding skin page.

Can it be combined with other treatments?

Yes. It pairs well with medical-grade skincare, microneedling, skin boosters and, in a planned sequence, The Perfect Peel. Timing is agreed at consultation.

Why have a peel with a doctor?

Because the decision is the treatment: which peel, how many passes, whether your skin is ready, and what to do if it reacts. As an NHS GP and independent prescriber I can also prescribe the Obagi skincare that prepares and maintains your skin, and recognise when what I am looking at needs a GP rather than a peel.

Next steps

Book a consultation in Hale

Learn more about Dr Caroline Warden Clinic

Click here for price list

Learn more about other treatments offered

References

Arif T. Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:455-461.
Rendon MI, Berson DS, Cohen JL, et al. Evidence and considerations in the application of chemical peels in skin disorders and aesthetic resurfacing. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(7):32-43.
Soleymani T, Lanoue J, Rahman Z. A practical approach to chemical peels: a review of fundamentals and step-by-step algorithmic protocol for treatment. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(8):21-28.
Obagi Medical. Blue Peel Radiance professional information.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr Caroline Warden, NHS GP with over 19 years of clinical experience, independent prescriber and Level 7 qualified aesthetic doctor (Harley Academy). GMC 6157708. Dr Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, 2 Crown Passages, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 9GN. Results vary between individuals; suitability is determined at a face-to-face consultation. Last reviewed: 3 October 2026.