Chemical peels can help transform sun-damaged skin into radiant, smooth skin. This treatment enhances your skin tone and reduces hyperpigmentation, resulting in visibly brighter skin.
After your chemical peel, it’s essential to have an after-treatment plan to see the best results from the treatment.
Chemical Peel After Care
Here are a few great tips on how to care for your skin after a chemical peel:
1. Hands Off
A chemical peel eliminates layers of damaged skin, allowing the skin underneath to glow. When you see your dead skin shedding, avoid scratching, touching or picking at it, which may lead to scarring. It's best to let it shed naturally without disturbing it with your hands.
2. Pull It Back
Keeping your hair tied up using a headband or hair elastic can be a great way to keep it from touching your face. Your skin needs time to peel naturally, which is why it is essential to prevent any accidental contact with your hands as you try to move hair from your face. It will also prevent breakouts that may come from contact with unwashed fingers. Should you have any breakouts, avoid trying to handle them yourself and instead visit our expert aestheticians for the ideal solution.
3. Moisturize - But Just Enough to Be Comfortable
Your skin will be quite sensitive following a chemical peel. For this reason, avoid certain products that might irritate your skin. Instead of using multiple products from your usual skincare routine, only use a neutral moisturizer right after the peeling process. Even if you're using moisturizer, you can still expect some dryness on your skin, as this is part of the process.
We recommend using little to no moisturizer in the initial days following your chemical peel treatment. In some cases, our aesthetician will provide a specific post care moisturizer at the time of treatment, which is safe to use. Your SkinSpirit aesthetician will walk you through the details. Many of our patients prefer using Aquaphor, a readily available moisturizer. Be gentle when applying moisturizer without scrubbing or rubbing it in. Use it several times throughout the day as necessary, applying a thin layer each time.
Once your skin has gone through the entire peeling process, you will be able to resume using your usual skincare products. You can expect your skin to stop being sensitive a few days after your chemical peel, often in a week.
4. Use Sunscreen
The chemical peel process helps you get rid of damaged skin, so it is essential that you take measures not to damage the smooth skin revealed underneath. You can protect vulnerable skin by applying a layer of sunscreen when exposed to the sun. Whether you are taking a walk outside or sitting next to a window with sunlight coming in, be sure to apply sunscreen.
To protect your rejuvenated skin, choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or more. For the best protection and to decrease sensitivity, the sunblock should be comprised of zinc and/or titanium dioxide. These ingredients are considered physical blocks, which are soothing to the skin, whereas all other sunblock ingredients are chemical and can be irritating, especially for recently compromised skin. We recommend Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield. This product offers a gentle way to apply sunscreen protection to sensitive skin.
We've also put together this SPF guide to help you know what to look for when choosing sunscreen, and can offer personalized recommendations during a complimentary product consult any of our Bay Area, Orange County, Salt Lake City, Texas or Seattle Area clinics.
5. Let It Peel
Avoid pulling, rubbing or scrubbing on your skin during the peeling process to remove dry, dead skin. If you would like to exfoliate, wait until your skin is no longer hypersensitive to prevent irritation.
We recommend Jan Marini Skin Zyme and Clean Zyme, products that contain enzymes that are good for the skin and help eliminate dead skin. Stay away from Clarisonic Cleansing Brushes, resurfacing acids, and facial scrubs until your skin stops shedding, which can take up to a week post-treatment.
6. Lighten Up
Once your skin feels less sensitive, it is a good time to schedule a consultation with our aestheticians to create a new home skincare routine. The regimen will be unique to you, allowing you to take care of your glowing skin. One of the essentials to include is an effective antioxidant to help your skin fight free radicals daily.
To learn more about useful skincare products, you can speak to our skincare experts.
7. Don’t Worry
Instead of spending the entire day thinking about your skin, relax and enjoy your daily tasks. You will soon see a return on your investment, making the chemical peel worth it.
If you have any concerns at all, please let us know. We would never want you to be home alone wondering if things are okay, and are happy to address any questions or concerns you have throughout the peeling process!
Are you a perfect candidate for a chemical peel?
Please keep in mind that your after care regimen may vary slightly based on the type of peel you receive, and that all skin responds differently. Peeling is not the main indicator of success - it’s the transformation in tone and texture. Some skin may peel very little and some may peel several times.
We recommend visiting one of our experts for a complimentary consultation to discover if a chemical peel would be the right treatment for you. Request your complimentary consultation at any one of our locations in the San Francisco Bay area, Orange County, Texas, Salt Lake City, UT, or metro Seattle. Or, give us a call at (855) 383-7546 to book by phone.
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