A treatment room at J'adoreMEDICAL PEELS
Skin that has "dropped" — lost its bounce, become thinner and more tired, and the facial contour isn't as defined as it used to be. This isn't always about wrinkles.
More often it's about loss of firmness: skin looks less taut, turns dull, and dehydrates more easily. Argipeel (Mediderma) is an arginine peel designed for exactly this problem. Unlike classic, strongly exfoliating acids, it doesn't aim to "strip" the epidermis — it focuses on firming, tightening and rebuilding with minimal irritation. In the salon, we often combine it with Mandelac T (a mandelic acid peel), especially when laxity comes with shadows and tiredness around the eyes. This is a treatment for skin that needs "lifting", not punishing. At J'adore Instytut, it's performed by an experienced cosmetologist. Below you'll find everything worth knowing before your first visit.
best as a series of 4–6 sessions every 1–2 weeks, then maintenance
How it works
Argipeel is an arginine peel from the Mediderma line. Arginine is an amino acid that acts in the skin as a hydrating and supportive ingredient — and that's what sets this treatment apart from "classic" acid peels. Instead of aggressively dissolving the stratum corneum, Argipeel gently exfoliates while firming and tightening the skin, working more towards rebuilding than "stripping".
The mechanism works on two levels: on the surface, skin is cleansed, smoothed and brightened, while at a deeper level the treatment stimulates greater elasticity and better condition. That's why Argipeel belongs to the category of peels for loss of firmness, rather than intense exfoliating peels pushed to the maximum. There's no "wow, skin peeling in flakes" effect here — and that's the point.
We very often combine it with Mandelac T — a Mediderma mandelic acid peel used, among other things, for shadows and tiredness around the eyes. Argipeel then works on skin tightness, while Mandelac T adds brightening and evens out skin tone. This combination is decided by a cosmetologist during your consultation.
Ideal for
The female zone and the male zone
For women, Argipeel is most often the answer to loss of firmness and "tired" skin — when skin has lost its tightness, turned dull and needs "lifting" without strong exfoliation. We often combine it with Mandelac T for dark circles. This is the classic Argipeel for women.
The areas we support
In men, skin is thicker and more often prone to oiliness, along with acne scars and usually no habit of using SPF. Argipeel improves tightness and overall skin condition, smoothing and brightening without a "salon look". This is Argipeel for men.
The areas we support
Did you know? Arginine is the same amino acid the body uses in processes like healing and collagen production. So this peel isn't about "stripping" the epidermis — arginine is meant to support the skin through rebuilding, which is why Argipeel is considered one of the gentler, "building" peels.
Safety
A chemical peel sounds simple — "applying acid to the face" — and that's exactly why it's easy to get wrong. Three things determine the result and safety, and they're worth asking about at every salon:
This is a beauty treatment — at J'adore it's carried out by an experienced cosmetologist, who assesses your skin phototype, condition, previous treatments and contraindications. A peel "without a consultation and without a phototype assessment" is a quick route to irritation or hyperpigmentation.
We use only genuine Mediderma products from legal distribution channels. A "peel from an unknown source" means unpredictable concentration and pH — and therefore an unpredictable result and real risk.
Argipeel is meant to work through firming and gentleness, not to "strip" the skin. What matters is matching the treatment to your skin and a sensible series plan, not maximum intensity on the first visit.
Warning signs with peels ·
Contraindications
Some contraindications are permanent, others temporary — in which case we simply postpone the treatment until the situation resolves. This is a chemical peel, so skin condition, phototype and exfoliation-related factors are key here.
From the cosmetologist's chair
The thing most often overlooked with peels isn't the product itself, but sun exposure and phototype. Someone comes in "straight from holiday" or with a trip planned in a few days, and is surprised when I advise against a peel. It's not a whim — recent tanning and full sun exposure without SPF is the simplest route to hyperpigmentation, the exact opposite of what you want.
This isn't a complete list — pregnancy, chronic conditions, medications, phototype and previous treatments are all reviewed individually during your consultation. With peels, more than with most treatments, sensible selection matters far more than "stronger and faster".
A chemical peel is a recognised trigger for reactivating cold sores (Herpes). We don't peel over active cold sores — we postpone the treatment until it's fully healed. If you suffer from recurring cold sores, be sure to mention this during your consultation — with medium-depth peels, it's worth discussing antiviral prevention beforehand to reduce the risk of recurrence after the treatment.
The visit
Consultation & skin assessment
your cosmetologist evaluates your skin phototype, condition and skin type, your expectations, and rules out contraindications; they decide whether Argipeel alone or combined with Mandelac T is the better choice.
Skin preparation
thorough makeup removal and degreasing so the product works evenly. This is a key step in any peel.
Applying the peel
Argipeel is applied to the skin in a controlled way; you'll usually feel mild tingling or warmth. It's a gentle peel, so there's no strong stinging like with stronger acids.
Neutralising / removing
the product is removed or neutralised according to protocol; your cosmetologist monitors your skin's reaction throughout.
Soothing mask and SPF protection
we finish the treatment by calming the skin and, essential, applying a high-SPF cream. This isn't an extra — it's part of the treatment.
What to expect
Most importantly: this is a gentle peel, not "intense exfoliation". You'll see brightening and smoothing pretty much immediately, but firming and tightness build up over a series — a single session is a good start, not the final result. Usually, only mild redness appears after the treatment, with no peeling in flakes.
The most common disappointment after the first session is: "I thought I'd peel heavily and see a lift straight away." Argipeel doesn't work that way — this is a peel that builds elasticity, rather than "stripping" the epidermis. Flaking may be minimal or absent, yet skin is noticeably firmer with each session. Patience and a full series achieve more here than one intense treatment.
Portfolio
A record of the work in our salons — the place where we publish treatment frames and, after photo sessions, results.
A record of results — in preparation. We publish photographs of our clients only with their consent.
After the series, we maintain the effect with less frequent sessions and appropriate home care. The most important "at-home" condition for lasting results is daily SPF 50+ — the peel improves skin condition, and unprotected sun exposure can quickly undo it.
Argipeel and your lifestyle
With peels, most questions aren't about the treatment itself, but about what comes after: sun, makeup, sauna, home acids, training, holidays. There's one rule — for a few days after the peel, skin is more sensitive to UV and irritation, so we protect it and avoid "adding" to it.
This is the most important rule with peels. After exfoliation, skin reacts more easily to UV — without daily SPF 50+, you risk hyperpigmentation and losing the effect. Give up intense tanning and sunbeds for the duration of the series.
Let your skin rest on the day of the treatment. Makeup is usually fine from the following day — before that, focus on hydration and SPF instead of foundation.
High temperatures intensify redness, and chlorinated water irritates freshly exfoliated skin. It's best to postpone sauna, hammam and swimming pools for a few days.
After the peel, hold off on retinol, strong AHA/BHA acids and coarse home peels. Applying actives to freshly exfoliated skin is the most common cause of irritation.
Intense exercise and heavy sweating right after a peel can cause stinging and increased redness. Training before the treatment doesn't block anything — just give your skin a moment of rest afterwards.
A peel right before a holiday in full sun (or a series in summer without SPF discipline) risks hyperpigmentation. Planning a trip? Mention it during your consultation — we'll choose the right timing and strength.
Argipeel
"Peel" isn't a single tool — different products do different things and aren't interchangeable. The simplest way to sort them is by purpose:
firms and tightens, with gentle exfoliation
won't remove melasma or deep hyperpigmentation; won't replace strong exfoliation or a treatment for severe laxity
evens out and brightens skin tone
targets tone and brightness, not tightness; firming isn't its main purpose
targeted control of melanin
this is a separate, dedicated course for hyperpigmentation — not a "firming peel for laxity"
Combine with
Argipeel works great as part of a firming protocol, rather than a standalone "cure-all" treatment. The order and intervals are decided by your cosmetologist during your consultation, but the logic stays the same:
From the cosmetologist's chair
I like to treat Argipeel as "building the foundation" — first a series of sessions so the skin gains tightness and better condition, and only then, if needed, we add stronger treatments. Trying to do everything at once, "because I happen to be at the salon", usually ends in irritation instead of results.
The most common mix-up: someone wants "a peel for tighter skin" when hyperpigmentation is actually the real issue — or the other way round. Simple rule: skin lost its elasticity → Argipeel. Uneven skin tone and minor hyperpigmentation → a brightening peel (e.g. Mandelac, Ferulac, C). Melasma and persistent patches → depigmentation such as Cosmelan/Dermamelan. Choosing the right goal matters more than the peel's "strength".
Argipeel and related Mediderma peels
Under the heading "medical Mediderma peel" is a whole family of products — each targets a different skin problem. You don't choose a peel "off the shelf" — your cosmetologist chooses it to match your goal, phototype and skin condition. You'll most often find these variants with us:
A firming peel based on arginine — gentle exfoliation with a focus on tightness, elasticity and rebuilding. Gentle for skin that doesn't tolerate strong acids well.
Dla kogoLoss of firmness, tired and dry skin, anti-ageing prevention.
A mandelic acid peel; the Mandelac T variant is used, among other things, for shadows and tiredness around the eyes. Brightens and evens out skin tone, gentle for sensitive skin.
Dla kogoHyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, dark circles, combined with Argipeel.
An antioxidant peel with ferulic acid; variants for the face, neck, décolletage and lip area. Improves skin tone and condition in mature skin.
Dla kogoHyperpigmentation, grey and tired skin, fine lines.
A brightening peel that adds radiance, often used as a "radiance boost" alongside other treatments. Antioxidant.
Dla kogoGrey, lacklustre skin, hyperpigmentation, instant radiance.
A salicylic acid peel — works within the pores and sebum, suited to oily and blemish-prone skin.
Dla kogoOily skin, clogged pores, tendency towards blemishes.
An azelaic acid peel; variants for the face, neck and décolletage, also available as packages. Calms redness and blemishes.
Dla kogoRosacea, redness, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Fact: Where do the differences come from, and how do we choose the strength? Each of these peels has a different active ingredient, a different pH and a different "specialisation" — so it's not about which is "the strongest", but which matches your problem and skin phototype. Your cosmetologist sets the strength and series during your consultation and adjusts it from session to session. Within this family, Argipeel is the "firming and gentle" one, not the "most exfoliating" — and that's its greatest strength for loss of firmness.
Price list
Face
30 min · Argipeel (Mediderma)
Area, number of sessions and salon — we'll work out the price straight away.
Warsaw, Żelazna 59 · PLN 260
Prefer to call? Żelazna 573 569 431 · Mińska 732 228 806 · Karmelicka 732 228 846
From the magazine
Editorial pieces on how this treatment works in practice — what happens during the session, how to prepare, where the limits are and what the first days after look like.
See also
MEDICAL PEELSMandelac — mandelic acidSee treatment: Mandelac — mandelic acid
MEDICAL PEELSFerulac — ferulic acidSee treatment: Ferulac — ferulic acid
MEDICAL PEELSC Peel — vitamin CSee treatment: C Peel — vitamin C
AESTHETIC MEDICINENeedle mesotherapySee treatment: Needle mesotherapy
HANDS & FEETSPA hands / feetSee treatment: SPA hands / feetThe result lastsbrightening and smoothing visible immediately; firming builds up and lasts with a seriesJ’adore Instytut
This text is for informational purposes and doesn't replace a consultation. Argipeel is a beauty treatment (a firming arginine peel by Mediderma) — the term "medical peel" refers to the product category, not to the fact that a doctor performs it. The choice of peel, its strength, the series and any contraindications are decided by a cosmetologist/specialist during an individual consultation, including after assessing your skin phototype and condition.
