Chemical Peel Aftercare Instructions
These are my instructions for before and after a chemical peel. They explain the usual healing sequence, which products and activities to pause, and the symptoms I want you to call about.
23+ YEARS EXPERIENCE | BOARD CERTIFIED MD | FORMER ASST. PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE | 5.0★ ACROSS 136 REVIEWS
About the Procedure
A chemical peel creates a controlled exfoliation of the treated skin. Tightness, dryness, sensitivity and patchy flaking can follow. The face usually heals faster than the neck, chest or other body areas, and the amount of visible peeling does not measure whether the treatment worked.
Before Your Treatment
Before your peel
- Stop these products before your peel:
- Oral isotretinoin (Accutane): at least 6 months before
- Retinoids (tretinoin, retinol): 7 days before
- Hydroquinone: 7 days before
- Acne creams and gels, such as benzoyl peroxide: 5 days before
- Alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHA / BHA): 5 days before
- Vitamin C: 3 days before
- Scrubs and other exfoliants: 3 days before
- Tell me about every prescription and skin-care product you use so I can set the right pause window.
- If doxycycline or another prescribed medicine is part of your routine, ask the prescriber before making any change. Do not stop any prescribed medication without checking with the prescriber first.
- Tell me if you have a history of cold sores or feel an outbreak beginning.
The day of
- Arrive with clean skin and no makeup, lotion or other product on the treatment area.
- Bring the post-treatment products I asked you to use if they were supplied in advance.
- Do not wax, tweeze, use depilatory cream or perform electrolysis on the treatment area.
- Call before proceeding if the skin is irritated, sunburned or has an open area.
After Your Treatment
Use a simple routine while the skin is reactive, keep it moisturized, and allow peeling to release without help. The product and activity pauses below protect the healing barrier.
First 48 to 72 hours
Do
- Use the post-treatment kit and hydrocortisone only as directed.
- Apply a cool compress if the skin feels warm or uncomfortable.
- Cleanse gently, keep the skin moisturized and use only the simple products I approved.
Do Not
- Do not exercise, sweat heavily, take hot showers, or use saunas or steam rooms for 48 to 72 hours.
- Do not pick, rub, scrub or pull peeling skin.
- Do not add a new product while the skin is reactive.
Days 2 to 14
- Let visible peeling release on its own. It often begins between days 2 and 4.
- Expect facial skin to heal in about five to seven days and body areas to take seven to ten days.
- Keep retinoids, acne medicines, acids, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, hydroquinone, scrubs and other exfoliants paused for two weeks.
- If your peel was on the face or neck, wait to dye your hair until at least one week after visible peeling has stopped.
The first four weeks
- Avoid tanning for four weeks.
- Wait four weeks before a facial, laser treatment or IPL on the same area unless I give you a different interval.
- Continue daily sun protection because newly peeled skin is more sensitive to ultraviolet exposure.
- Reintroduce products gradually once peeling is complete. Stop a product that stings or produces persistent redness.
What to Expect and What Is Normal
Redness, tightness, dryness and sensitivity are common. Visible peeling often begins between days 2 and 4. Facial skin usually heals in about five to seven days, while body areas may take seven to ten days. Patchy flaking is normal, and a light peel can still produce a useful response without dramatic shedding.
Call the office at (415) 644-8301 if you notice:
- Severe or increasing pain, marked swelling or spreading redness
- Blistering, drainage, fever or a cold-sore outbreak
- Skin that remains open, crusted or very irritated beyond the expected healing window
Chemical Peel Aftercare FAQs
Questions About Your Care?
Keep these instructions for reference between sessions, and do not hesitate to call the office with any questions. Your comfort, safety and result are the priority at every session.