After the procedure. After a chemical peel of any depth, your skin will be red, tight, irritated or swollen. Follow your doctor's directions for sun protection, cleansing, moisturizing and applying protective ointments to your skin. And avoid picking, rubbing or scratching your skin.
Skin grows back about 10 to 14 days after a deep peel. The skin stays very red for 3 weeks, and up to 2 months for some people.
Making sure that skin is hydrated will enable faster recovery of the collagen in that area to make your skin look less inflamed and scaly. Another quick recovery method after an aggressive tissue reaction following a chemical peel would be to prevent any kind of sun damage.
Chemical Peel Aftercare Dos:
They are still attached to live cells, and you don't want to risk pulling anything off that isn't ready.Do be extra careful when the skin is wet. Water softens dead skin, so it's very easy to rub off both dead and live cells when the skin is moist.
After a light chemical peel, treated skin will be red, dry and mildly irritated-although these effects might be less noticeable with each repeat treatment. Please make sure you keep the skin moist for the next several days using a fragrance-free moisturizer (we recommend Cerave) and Aquaphor/Vaseline as needed.
Your skin is more delicate after a peel, so avoid direct sun exposure, which can lead to even more visible signs of skin aging. If you must be exposed, use a Broad Spectrum physical sunscreen. Avoid strenuous workouts, dry saunas and steam rooms.
[2][16] After applying the peel, glycolic acid should be neutralized using 5% sodium bicarbonate or cool saline compresses. During a phenol peel procedure, phenol is typically applied only on a small portion of the skin at a time.
When you start to peel, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer such as AveenoⓇ, VanicreamⓇ, CetaphilⓇ, or CeraVeⓇ, until the skin feels back to normal. This will promote the healing process by locking in moisture and reducing the chance of a bacterial infection, redness, and irritation.
CHEMICAL PEEL: WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
recommended. Avoid using abrasive products such as scrubs or exfoliating sponges for 7 -10 days. Avoid products such as retinols and glycolic acid 10 days. Vitamin C Serums may be resumed after 48 hours.
Dermatologists recommend superficial peels if skin issues only affect the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. Because superficial peels do not penetrate the deeper layers, they carry a lower risk of side effects and the skin tends to recover more quickly. Superficial peels take 1–7 days to heal.
Vitamin C Serums for Brightening
Integrating a Vitamin C serum into the post-chemical peel routine plays a critical role in skin's recovery, as its potent antioxidant properties help to diminish the appearance of dark skin and encourage a radiant complexion.
Use a Soothing Cream
If your skin is raw and peeling, especially while recovering from a sunburn, try using a gentle, fragrance-free cream containing aloe. Oat-based products can also help soothe peeling skin. Products that contain cortisone may help reduce inflammation.
To minimize the swelling, you should sleep with your head elevated for 3 weeks after the surgery. Within 24 hours, the top layer of the skin will blister and peel. The peeled areas will resemble a deep sunburn. It is not unusual to have some slight drainage for the first few days after surgery.
After your chemical peel, you will be in recovery for 1-2 weeks, with days 3 and 4 being the worst in terms of peeling.
Post-Treatment Protocol:
Apply healing, soothing products such as: emu oil + copper serum or emu + Regenerate Epidermal Growth Factor, Hyaluronic Acid or another mild lotion such as Vitamin B Complex. Apply an SPF 30+ for sensitive skin prior to going outdoors.
If your face hurts, the best treatment is to apply cold compresses to the treated areas of the face. We recommend that you take a salad bowl and wash it well. Fill it with water and ice cubes and soak several wash cloths (or gauze) in the bowl and keep the bowl in the refrigerator.
Peeling skin should be allowed to slough off naturally; picking or peeling of flaking skin is prohibited, as it may lead to scarring. Use of prescription topicals should be avoided for 3-5 days post-peel.
After a chemical peel, it's best to stick to a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Avoid retinol creams and heavier products with active ingredients and irritants. After a medium peel, wait about one week to resume your usual skincare routine.
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.
Around the third day, you may start to see the initial signs of peeling. Your skin might appear dry and flaky, and small pieces may begin to shed. This is a normal part of the process as the old skin is being replaced by new skin underneath.
After a chemical peel, it is important to avoid certain products that can irritate your skin, such as toners, astringents and exfoliants. We recommend using gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers to help soothe your skin. Avoid Alcohol.