Pre and Post Care Instructions
Chemical peels are designed to improve skin texture, pigmentation, acne, sun damage, fine lines, and overall skin appearance by accelerating skin cell turnover and stimulating healthy skin renewal. Following these instructions will help maximize your results and reduce the risk of complications.
Pre Care
Avoid Sun Exposure (2 Weeks Before)
Avoid excessive sun exposure, tanning beds, and sunburn for at least two weeks before your treatment.
Recently sunburned skin should not be treated.
Stop Retinol And Exfoliants (5–7 Days Before)
Discontinue retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating scrubs, and other active skincare products.
These products can increase skin sensitivity and irritation during treatment.
Avoid Waxing And Hair Removal (1 Week Before)
Do not wax, thread, use depilatory creams, dermaplane, or perform aggressive hair removal in the treatment area.
Avoid Other Skin Treatments (2 Weeks Before)
Avoid microneedling, microinfusion, laser treatments, IPL, RF treatments, and other procedures that may irritate the skin.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water before your appointment.
Well-hydrated skin generally heals more efficiently.
Inform Your Provider
Notify your provider if you have a history of cold sores, recent Accutane use, pregnancy, active skin infections, open wounds, eczema flare-ups, or any medical condition that may affect healing.
Arrive With Clean Skin
Arrive with clean skin free of makeup, sunscreen, lotions, and skincare products whenever possible.
Post Care
Expect Redness And Peeling
Your skin may feel tight, warm, dry, or appear red immediately after treatment.
Peeling often begins within 2–5 days depending on the type and strength of the peel.
Do Not Pick Or Peel The Skin
Allow peeling skin to shed naturally.
Picking, pulling, or scrubbing peeling skin may increase the risk of irritation, pigmentation changes, and scarring.
Keep The Skin Moisturized
Apply a gentle moisturizer as directed by your provider.
Keeping the skin hydrated can improve comfort during the healing process.
Use Gentle Cleansers Only
Wash your face with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water.
Avoid washcloths, facial brushes, exfoliating tools, and aggressive cleansing.
Avoid Retinol And Active Products (7–10 Days)
Do not use retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C serums, exfoliating scrubs, or other active ingredients until the skin has completely healed.
Avoid Makeup (24–48 Hours)
Avoid applying makeup immediately after treatment unless instructed otherwise by your provider.
Once the skin is no longer irritated, makeup may be applied gently.
Avoid Excessive Heat (48 Hours)
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, hot yoga, and prolonged hot showers.
Heat may worsen redness and irritation.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise (24–48 Hours)
Heavy exercise may increase redness, inflammation, and sensitivity during the healing process.
Avoid Direct Sun Exposure
Recently treated skin is highly sensitive to ultraviolet light.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure during the healing period.
Wear SPF Daily
Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.
Sun protection is critical after a chemical peel and helps protect your results.
Stay Hydrated
Continue drinking plenty of water after treatment.
Hydration supports skin repair and recovery.
Be Patient With Results
As the damaged outer layers of skin shed, healthier and brighter skin gradually emerges.
Many patients notice improvements in skin tone, texture, pigmentation, acne, and overall skin appearance within several weeks.
Multiple treatments may be recommended depending on your concerns and treatment goals.
When To Contact Our Office ?
Please contact our office if you experience severe swelling, excessive pain, blistering, signs of infection, fever, pus drainage, or any unusual reaction following treatment.
Mild redness, dryness, tightness, and peeling are normal parts of the healing process and generally resolve within several days to two weeks depending on the depth of the peel.